Car Insurance - What To Do When Claims Go
Wrong
Things don't always go that smoothly or
quickly!
Many customers cause problems for themselves.
They just don't seem to realise that things are geared up to
provide this fast and efficient service to them.
For example, there is the customer who insists
on having a claim form to fill in. The customer who does not
want to give the details of the claims event over the
telephone. O. K. fine, but don't then expect such a speedy
service. You are causing delays for your claim.
There is the customer who wants to use his own
garage. So he has to go and obtain an estimate and post or fax
it to the insurer. In effect this claim has reverted to the old
fashioned and slow way of dealing with things.
Then there is the customer who wants a hire car
delivered outside the parameters of the policy cover or who
does not like the courtesy car supplied by the approved
repairer. Some keep their hire/courtesy car longer than their
policy permits and get upset when you ask them to return it or
pay the extra costs. Some start off in a hire car with a full
tank of fuel, return it empty then complain when they are
charged for re-filling the vehicle. (Hire firms charge a very
high price for fuel!)
My advice is simple. Follow the instructions of
your insurer or broker. They are trying to provide you with the
best service in your best interests. Why cause problems and
hassle for yourself?
Policy excesses cause a lot of problems. Many
people still think that if an accident is not their fault, they
don't have to pay their excess. NOT TRUE. Your excess payment
is your share of the loss or damage and you have entered into a
legally binding contract with your insurer in which you agreed
to pay the first £X amount irrespective of blame for an
accident. You might be able to recover this as an uninsured
loss. But that does not mean you do not have to pay it in the
first place.
Remember that the vast majority of claims are
dealt with quickly and without problems
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"I was on the way to the doctor with rear end
trouble when my universal joint gave way causing me
to have an accident and damage my big end." |
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Extracts taken from actual claim
forms submitted to
a number of UK car insurance companies |
Next.....
Car Insurance - The Total Loss (Or Write-Off)
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