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On the 6th I was involved in a non fault minor RTA.
I advised my insurer the same day using the online portal and was contacted the following day by Enterprise (who have been tasked by my insurer to handle the repair) who wanted me to enter into a hire agreement for a like-for-like replacement car. I declined at the time and said I wasn't prepared to enter into agreement that may find me liable for costs if challenged by the other party's insurer. I also questioned why I needed a hire car as my policy specifically included a curtesy car.
Yesterday, Enterprise contacted me to say they had not received any response from the other party's insurance and would update me in 72 hours.
We have attempted to contact the at fault party's insurers to confirm the other party is insured but unfortunately they have not been able to confirm this at this stage.
We have made them aware of the accident circumstances and will continue to chase them. We will attempt again in the next 72 hours and will provide you with an update.
Thank you,
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Today, I received a call from Admiral, the other party's insurer. They have accepted full liability and Admiral have requested that I deal directly with them. They have offered me cash in lieu of repair, which I have declined, and have offered a like-for-like hire with no personal liability for the duration of the repair, either a Merc S Class or a Jaaaaag Xsomething. They have stated that their approved repairer guarantees the repair for life (as long as I own the car).
They have also offered me £200 for dealing with them directly, presumably because my insurer will fleece them for the cost of repair and the hire car.
What does the hive mind think about this?
It sounds far better than if you were insured with Admiral rather than them being the third party. I had a no-fault claim and Admiral push their customers towards a shitty claims management company.
Personally I'd be all over Admiral's offer.
I've just had to go though the same situation, the 3rd party's insurer was also Admiral. I was pushed to use Enterprise Claims Management by my insurer (Esure) and eventually went down that route. It's been nothing but horrid, messed around a lot and long waits for anything to happen. 3 months after the accident and my car still isn't repaired! Admiral did try to get me to go direct with them and I initially started down thet route but they were so useless at even getting the basics right I backed out of that.
Either way you're likely to get screwed as the innocent party IMO.
It sounds far better than if you were insured with Admiral rather than them being the third party. I had a no-fault claim and Admiral push their customers towards a shitty claims management company.
Personally I’d be all over Admiral’s offer
Exactly my experience when I, as an admiral customer, had a non fault claim (guy drove into me while I was parked!)
Ended up getting a hire car through the dodgy 3rd party scheme they recommended where they sue the other party to recover costs for the hire car. There was some sort of indemnity so I don't end up paying for it but it was all a bit convoluted. It dragged on for ages - the charges for the hire car were astronomical.
Today, I received a call from Admiral, the other party’s insurer. They have accepted full liability and Admiral have requested that I deal directly with them. They have offered me cash in lieu of repair, which I have declined, and have offered a like-for-like hire with no personal liability for the duration of the repair, either a Merc S Class or a Jaaaaag Xsomething. They have stated that their approved repairer guarantees the repair for life (as long as I own the car).
They have also offered me £200 for dealing with them directly, presumably because my insurer will fleece them for the cost of repair and the hire car.
What does the hive mind think about this?
The only downside of this arrangement that I’ve heard of is that of disputes over the quality of the repair, if the repair does not meet your standards it can be difficult to have it addressed to satisfaction.
I would as them to clarify that situation, also if you have a known/recommended repairer I’d seek to use them irrespective of which company is picking up the tab.
There was something similar on rip off Britain yesterday morning where a woman had been contacted by “insurance company claims handler “ after a prang.
I think she ended up on the hook for around £5k of hire car charges. Can’t remember the exact details but I would contact your insurance company and speak to someone or make sure the Admiral offer is genuine before agreeing to anything
There was something similar on rip off Britain yesterday morning where a woman had been contacted by “insurance company claims handler “ after a prang.
I think she ended up on the hook for around £5k of hire car charges. Can’t remember the exact details
The only cases I recall where the claimant has had to pay the hire charges from a accident claim management company hire vehicle are:
They lave lied/made false representation to their insurer & the claim management company.
They have refused to assist the claim company defend the claim, usually by failing to appear in court when requested to do so as a witness.
I found it better to deal with the 3rd parties insureres last time I was in a simmilar situation, my insurer tried to fob me off with some management company with hire car caveats and contracts etc. despite having a courtesy car as part of my policy. Its all a bit of a stitch up really, jobs for the cowboys.
Slightly different in that my car was written off, not much real damage but uneconomical to repair.
I had a brand new mercedes c class courtesy car the same day, and they offered me fair market value for my car with no bartering once it was confirmed a write off.
As above its cheaper for them than getting fleeced by the claiments insurance/management company, so they tend to be a lot more amiable.
Daft, but thats how it is.
How minor? Still driveable? I'd go with Admiral anywy. If nothing else you get a courtesy car without the possible need to attend court at a later date and provide copies of all your bank accounts to prove a credit hire car was needed.
The credit hire model depends on the driver not being able to fund a car themselves or having an alternate car they could use.
https://www.lyonsdavidson.co.uk/replacement-vehicle-finances/
Double check all your paperwork is correct before you sign it.
The terrible claims management company working for my insurance company kept in the hire car paperwork as part of the bundle of stuff I had to sign even though I very clearly told them I don't need a hire car.
It was one big PDF file so no way for me to edit or take out certain sections that did not apply to me before I sign on the line.
When I told them to take it out and resend me the documentation they representative asked why I could just sign it anyways! He seemed very confused why I did not want to sign and become responsible for a hire car that I did not want or need!
My wife's car was rear ended in traffic last year, other driver and insurance company admitted fault. Car was still driveable. We told our insurers (Admiral) that we wanted to use a local body shop that has a good reputation. They were fine about that. They arranged a hire car for the period the car was in the body shop.
No experience with Admiral. But have had a couple of no fault incidents, and have been approached by 3rd party insurer who want to use their approved body shop. I've insisted on using main dealer (car less than a year old) and via main dealer have used either Accident Exchange or Enterprise to sort claim management and hire car. Never had a problem having to pay any charges for the hire car. Enterprise were easier to deal with than Accident Exchange. Claim hasn't needed to go through my insurer either other than letting them know.
Shouldn't you be dealing with your insurers, not Enterprise?
If I didn't need the hire car, I'd avoid it. It just sounds like a pain in the ring if anything goes wrong.
What exactly is the problem? If it's paint or dents, I'd get a quote from the dealer to fix, accept that amount in cash, and then sort myself out on the mean backstreets. But if it's complicated, I'd be tempted to tell the insurer to fix it with a warranty etc
Do you need to tell your own insurer?
Shouldn’t you be dealing with your insurers, not Enterprise?
My insurers instructed Enterprise to operate on their behalf. I was not given any say in that.
If I didn’t need the hire car, I’d avoid it. It just sounds like a pain in the ring if anything goes wrong.
Agreed, which is why I initially refused it from Enterprise. Admiral (the third party insurers) will provide me with a car with no personal liability for the cost of that car, so nothing to go wrong.
What exactly is the problem? If it’s paint or dents, I’d get a quote from the dealer to fix, accept that amount in cash, and then sort myself out on the mean backstreets. But if it’s complicated, I’d be tempted to tell the insurer to fix it with a warranty etc
It is paint and dents; both doors and the rear wheel arch on the passenger side need repairing. I have already declined cash in lieu; I don't have the required arsed to run around looking for quotes in an attempt to pocket a few quid.
Do you need to tell your own insurer?
Apart from the fact that I have already told my insurer, as I understand it, you are required to inform them of an accident, regardless of fault.
Hastings Direct.
I've posted 2 or 3 times on similar threads so i won't regurgitate it all again, you should be able to find it via google or whatever - but absolutely avoid claims management companies like the plague. Absolute scam, and even if you don't end up personally liable the effort in proving it can be a nightmare.
And yes, if you have a crash, even no fault, then 99.999% your policy will require you to tell your insurer. Even if you don't claim; they use stats and data to price your risk profile and sadly, the fact you've had a crash even if not your fault, makes you statistically a bigger risk.
Unfair - for sure but if you don't follow the terms of your policy they can invalidate it, refuse it on renewal, etc. And then ticking the 'Have you ever been refused insurance' box is the next problem......
Lastly - police are advising against 'accident' as that suggests unavoidable. RTC not RTA.
You've been given a good offer there
In Admiral's defence, about a year ago I had an Admiral on Admiral RTC with someone (3rd party's fault). They admitted fault. Admiral were bloomin fantastic - hire car from my local Enterprise for about a month, ended up paying out (quite a lot) for my car in the end as it was uneconomical to repair - but was all zero fuss. The first phone call with me she said "this is going to be very straightforward because the person who hit you is also with us"
Good luck! It's a terrifying time - dealing with insurance - because one always assume one's going to be fleeced. I've only ever had to make a few claims in life on various insurances and they have always been exemplary experiences. It must be 'back in the old days' where they mucked you around. Or it helps I speak very very politely down the phone...
I don’t have the required arsed to run around looking for quotes in an attempt to pocket a few quid...I have already told my insurer
Fair enough, I am a cheapskate. And sorry for misreading your earlier post that answered my question!
Did you ever get the fuel economy issue sorted?
Not yet.
Sooo, 2 months on and my car still hasn't been repaired.
I chased the bodyshop for an update yesterday and was told they are waiting on parts and have no ETA. Is there anything I can do to expedite this?
if they're waiting on parts from the manufacturer, and they don't have any, then not really - if the bits aren't in the country they aren't in the country. If they're waiting on parts from some pattern part supplier (because they're being tight) and the manufacturer has them in stock, then yeah you can push them. Assuming you have a comprable courtesy car in the mean time?
I can't seem to see from the thread who you're actually dealing with.
If it's Admiral, and they've got you in a hire car they've provided you, then I'm not sure there's a real downside? Chase Admiral not the repairer.
But here's the issue with claiming against the third-party insurer - you have no recourse about them to an ombudsman. So they can string you along, the repairs might not be done/good enough etc. As I say though, if you're in a hire car then in reality what's the issue? You're putting miles on someone else's car.
If it's Hastings, complain to them.
I chased the bodyshop for an update yesterday and was told they are waiting on parts and have no ETA. Is there anything I can do to expedite this?
make the parts yourself?
just be grateful you still have a hire car. Some policies stipulate these days a maximum period they will let you have a hire car.
I don't have a hire car. My car is still drivable and I won't be getting a hire car until mine goes in for repair.
if they’re waiting on parts from the manufacturer, and they don’t have any, then not really – if the bits aren’t in the country they aren’t in the country. If they’re waiting on parts from some pattern part supplier
Hmm. I hadn't even considered that they might be using pattern parts. They are waiting for the door (not sure why it's only one as both are damaged), badges and door mouldings. The car is no longer in production, so if Mercedes don't have parts it could be a bit of a problem.
They are waiting for the door (not sure why it’s only one as both are damaged)
It'll be the right one they're waiting for coming back into stock, they'll have the other left.
blimey, what a palaver! not needed any motor repairs for a couple of decades, and hope it never goes that badly wrong.
I'm surprised that a car hire company would act as claims manager, it looks like a conflict of interest. At least I'd expect the claims manager to be nominally separate, something like "Enterprise Claims Management", but the OP's extract shows they sign themselves Enterprise Rent-A-Car.
I've got my car back now and I'm very glad I didn't have to pick up the tab for this
minor RTA.
Anyone care to take a guess at how much the repairs cost?
Two new skins and a respray. £6k?
I'll go £4K
£2800
@johndoh wins a virtual cookie.
Two new doors, and associated gubbins, a respray and a single wheel refurb. £6k + VAT!
Ooof! Back of the net. I so nearly decided to go lower then thought I’d stick to my guns.
It is taking the piss though - 12 years ago I ran into the back of someone in a new Audi TT - new front bumper, bonnet and fancy-dan moving headlight unit + respray of it all and that was only £2.5k
thats nuts cost wise and part of the reason the premiums are going up.
id wager that could have been fixed a heck of a lot cheaper.
Post up the garage's work planner / invoice thing. If you have it. That'll be informative...
That is nuts costing. No wonder my insurance premiums keep going up.
It also makes me realise that even a minor bump would write off both our cars!
Funnily enough, the trade body published this last week:
"The costs of vehicle repairs leapt by 33% over the year since Q1 2022 to £1.5 billion, the highest figure since ABI started collecting this data back in 2013. This reflects rising costs, including energy inflation, and more expensive repairs. "
Ta. I must have missed this yesterday. I was interested in the hours and hourly rate but I guess that's not available to punters.
What I did miss was:
Mercedes
Reassuringly expensive 😜
A cls 350 was a 45k+ car BITD? Probably 75-80k now. Two doors plus gubbins plus fitting painting etc of a premium car, no longer in production?
I'd be very tempted to say 6k ain't exactly a bargain, but I can't think it should be much cheaper!
Quite surprised Hastings didn't go down the used parts route with that one as having looked at the prices on Auto trader it must have been close to a write-off.
Quite surprised Hastings didn’t go down the used parts route with that one as having looked at the prices on Auto trader it must have been close to a write-off.
I was amazed they didn't write it off when I got the invoice. Hastings weren't paying though, the at fault party is insured by Admiral. I do wonder if the outcome would have been different if I'd been at fault.
A cls 350 was a 45k+ car BITD? Probably 75-80k now.
I'd need to check the paperwork to see if I've got the original invoice for mine. I've got a Top Gear mag from 2018 that has list price around £65k that year.
Yeah, the reason the doors close with a satisfying "thunk" is because they're £3k apiece 😁