Very poor service from insurance company.

[Deleted member 6183]

Some years ago, I was shunted by a driver aggressively pushing his way in in heavy traffic.
A low-speed scrape - No one hurt.
I pulled onto hard shoulder ... The other driver simply drove off ... But not before I'd got his registration and car model.
I reported the incident to the police.
They provided his name and address.
I completed the repairs myself and claimed for a bumper part and paint materials.
I sent the culprit an itemised bill - materials only - no labour cost.
He ignored me several times.
I threatened him with the small claims court - and was ignored.
I lodged a claim in the small claims court.
He ignored it and did not enter a defence.
As a result, I got a default judgement in my favour - including my costs of the repair, the court fee and costs.
I didn't make anything out of it - I got my money back.
But it was worth doing just to stick it up his nose.
[if you follow my drift !!]

For completeness how did you enforce the judgement?

 

[johnsco]

Fortunately - Having lost - He just paid the required amount, and I never heard from him again.
[To my quiet satisfaction].

This leads me on to a question ... Maybe someone can answer it for me.
Some years ago - about 20 years - I was swindled by a used-car dealer who took delivery of a car from me and then simply refused to pay.
I took him to the small claims court.
He did not enter a defence.
I obtained a default judgement in my favour.
He did not pay up, and this did not surprise me.
He had a list of CCJs for dishonest trading against him that would fill a page.
I did not pursue the claim further at the time.
I was busy, and I already knew that he would refuse until I took him to the wire, and I just didn't have the time.
My question is ...
Do CCJs from the Small Claims Court have a sunset date ?
I'm retired now, and I may be prepared to invest the time involved in pursuing him.
The sum involved is not great (which was why I let it lie on the table).
Can anyone please advise.

 

[Deleted member 6183]

Fortunately - Having lost - He just paid the required amount, and I never heard from him again.
[To my quiet satisfaction].

This leads me on to a question ... Maybe someone can answer it for me.
Some years ago - about 20 years - I was swindled by a used-car dealer who took delivery of a car from me and then simply refused to pay.
I took him to the small claims court.
He did not enter a defence.
I obtained a default judgement in my favour.
He did not pay up, and this did not surprise me.
He had a list of CCJs for dishonest trading against him that would fill a page.
I did not pursue the claim further at the time.
I was busy, and I already knew that he would refuse until I took him to the wire, and I just didn't have the time.
My question is ...
Do CCJs from the Small Claims Court have a sunset date ?
I'm retired now, and I may be prepared to invest the time involved in pursuing him.
The sum involved is not great (which was why I let it lie on the table).
Can anyone please advise.

My info might be well out of date but I recall that debt is limited to 6 years since your last contact.

 

[johnsco]

Thanks Doctor.
If anyone has further info ... I'd be grateful.
I think the lesson is:
1. It was quite easy to go to the Small Claims Court and get a judgement in your favour, if you are in the right.
2. Enforcing the judgement may not be as easy.

 

[ph47mf]

funny you said Hastings, my friend who had to claim off them for the last few weeks had to go through some shocking customer service as well.

My friend was the victim and they kept pressuring him to accept a crappy offer from another involving insurer. He's supposed to be his client and look after his interest!

 

[John]

CCJ coming off your record is definitely 6 years.

 

[John]

funny you said Hastings, my friend who had to claim off them for the last few weeks had to go through some shocking customer service as well.

My friend was the victim and they kept pressuring him to accept a crappy offer from another involving insurer. He's supposed to be his client and look after his interest!

It's starting to sound like this is Hastings Direct's MO!

 

[johnsco]

The Hastings Direct comments are very welcome.
I have been tempted to try them in the past.
Now .... No way !!