Yet another accident

[markjay]

....Now, this has taken a while to get to, but the paperwork included an insurance policy that absolved me of any costs should these not be met by AN Other, and the AMC Representative went to great pains to assure me that I would not be liable for costs.

Ernie

In my case, I was similarly shown an AXA policy, but I pointed out to them that they were the insured party under the AXA policy, not me.

In other words, they assured me that I will not be liable for any costs because [i)they[/i] were insured against losses. But nowhere in the contract did it actually say that I wasn't liable.

So the idea is that I won't be asked to pay because they are insured against losses. But what if their AXA policy doesn't pay out for whatever reason, and they do incur a cost?

As things happened, the third party's insurer refused to pay them for the hire car, and they wanted my help to recover the cost. Apparently, the AXA policy only paid out as a last resort, i.e., if they lost the case in court, etc, but not in the first instance of refusal to pay.

When I pointed out to then what I was told by their chap, they denied that he was their chap or that he was actually working for them! They denied all knowledge of the person who handled my case. I told them that it won't hold in court, he had the car, the keys, and the contract, so for all practical purposes, he was their representative (I think he simply working for commission).

I finally told them that unless I receive from then a letter stating that under no circumstances will I be liable for any costs, I won't be engaging with them any further. That was the last I heard from them....

Of course, there isn't always an issue, and some drivers do have a good experience. But my point is that the people who run these companies are as trustworthy as loan sharks (personal opinion).

 

[markjay]

...Both of these events were initially managed by MB of Edinburgh who involved the AMC, although I signed the paperwork. ...

In my case it was similarly the dealer (not MB dealer) who I booked the car with who referred me to the accident management firm for the hire car - I later learnt that the dealer gets a kickback from the extortionate hire prices. It's a well organised Mafia (personal opinion).

 

[ernie]

In my case it was similarly the dealer (not MB dealer) who I booked the car with who referred me to the accident management firm for the hire car - I later learnt that the dealer gets a kickback from the extortionate hire prices. It's a well organised Mafia (personal opinion).

It's great to be wise after the event, but after reading various accounts of folks becoming unstuck through these companies, in future I think my tack will be to accept a car from the 3rd Party insurer, but insist on using my own body repair shop; nowadays my local Audi dealership.

Ernie

 

[Diana1990]

Update:

All parts arrived, the back panel was back ordered but was available within 48hrs. Mercedes had to sublet my car out as this is specialist repair that they can't do onsite. My car was halfway complete with other garage but technician had minor accident and is now off for week which means my car has a 2wk delay. Am looking to have my Mercedes back 2nd week of March. 3rd party are aware if costs involved and haven't even questioned the amount it'll cost, but with having a hire car potentially 6wks.... The bill will be sky high

 

[Pontoneer]

Of course, there isn't always an issue, and some drivers do have a good experience. But my point is that the people who run these companies are as trustworthy as loan sharks (personal opinion).

Or used car salesmen !

 

[Diana1990]

Car finally back with me. Cost of repair was short of £15k in end. With hire car charges included which was roughly £200 per day, and fact I had the car 39 days means 3rd party has a gigantic bill coming there way.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Car finally back with me. Cost of repair was short of £15k in end. With hire car charges included which was roughly £200 per day, and fact I had the car 39 days means 3rd party has a gigantic bill coming there way.

Glad it’s sorte

 

[neilrr]

On what planet is £8 grand for 39 days car rental considered a reasonable charge?

I hope the other party's ins. co. has the good sense to tell your AM firm to foxtrot oscar!

 

[Diana1990]

While I agree the charges involved are absolutely awful and totally disgusting, I'm glad I don't have to argue not paying it.

 

[DSM10000]

While I agree the charges involved are absolutely awful and totally disgusting, I'm glad I don't have to argue not paying it.

And, almost certainly, not real.

 

[SpikyMikey]

On what planet is £8 grand for 39 days car rental considered a reasonable charge?

I hope the other party's ins. co. has the good sense to tell your AM firm to foxtrot oscar!

Gawd, you could buy a car, use it for 39 days and sell it again for less than that.

 

[Diana1990]

And, almost certainly, not real.

I asked Auxillis today prior to collecting my car the charges for the Audi per day and agent said "just short of nearly £200 per day". Take that as you will.

 

[SpikyMikey]

It appears to be a rip-off.
I could hire a C class from Europcar from one of their airport locations for just over 100 quid per day.

 

[markjay]

It appears to be a rip-off.
I could hire a C class from Europcar from one of their airport locations for just over 100 quid per day.

Accident Management companies make their fortunes on the back of our ever-increasing motor insurance premiums. It's as simple as that.

And while I appreciate that the OP wanted the car repaired rather than written off, an uneconomic repair forced on the insurer simply raises our premiums yet again.

Add to to this the obligatory personal injury claim....

 

[MSG2004]

Accident Management companies make their fortunes on the back of our ever-increasing motor insurance premiums. It's as simple as that.

And while I appreciate that the OP wanted the car repaired rather than written off, an uneconomic repair forced on the insurer simply raises our premiums yet again.

Add to to this the obligatory personal injury claim....

As I read the above posts and was going to post about 'accident management outfits,' you beat me to it.

You've hit the nail on the head with your post.

 

[DSM10000]

Any sensible insurance company would have paid out the replacement value and left it there.

 

[markjay]

Any sensible insurance company would have paid out the replacement value and left it there.

And, yet, somehow, insurers give these ambulance chasers free rein... how odd.

In this case, the insurer seems fine with paying out £23k on a claim for a car with a retail value of just £17k. Go figure.

 

[Pontoneer]

Car finally back with me. Cost of repair was short of £15k in end. With hire car charges included which was roughly £200 per day, and fact I had the car 39 days means 3rd party has a gigantic bill coming there way.

Car finally back with me. Cost of repair was short of £15k in end. With hire car charges included which was roughly £200 per day, and fact I had the car 39 days means 3rd party has a gigantic bill coming there way.

Their insurer does .

 

[Pontoneer]

I asked Auxillis today prior to collecting my car the charges for the Audi per day and agent said "just short of nearly £200 per day". Take that as you will.

You could catch a lot of buses for that much ; in my case it would be infinite as I have my old farts bus pass , which I use maybe half a dozen times a year .

 

[DSM10000]

And, yet, somehow, insurers give these ambulance chasers free rein... how odd.

In this case, the insurer seems fine with paying out £23k on a claim for a car with a retail value of just £17k. Go figure.

I wonder how much they will pay out on the next one!