Car insurance - meeting

[WorkWorry]

Quick question please...

Another driver went into the back of me recently but claimed I caused the accident. It was a very low speed, minor collision with no complications but because he disputes blame, the insurance company has to investigate. It has farmed this out to third parties.

One of these is an 'accident investigator' who wants to come and meet me to discuss what happened. He says this will take a minimum of 90 minutes. I have asked him why it needs that long and he hasn't yet been able to tell me. I wondered if anyone knew what this involved?

This man (clearly a freelance, one man enterprise) has been very odd about arrangements, complaining that he doesn't want to come all the way to my workplace in London as it's too far and he lives in Sussex (it's no further by public transport for him than my home, which is also in London).

I have explained that I work full time and so won't be at home during the week. He is pressing to come to my home one evening or on a Saturday now, which I don't want.

I'd love to know what he wants to discuss that will take 90 mins and why it has to be face to face.

Any help appreciated.
Thanks

[SantasLittleMonkeyButler]

Does he represent your insurer or the other party's insurer?

If your insurer, then phone your Claims Handler and tell them you are unhappy with the arrangements and not prepared to meet under these terms.

If the other party's insurer, then don't meet with them at all!

[suitsyousir79]

I do this for a living but am employed by a company.

We have to fit appointments in around the people we see. He should be representing your insurance company and will want to get a county court statement, as it may end up in County court, especially if personal injury claims are being made by the other party.

We usually advise tha it may take up to two hours to get the statement simply because it has to be done in a particular format and in quite some detail (very similar to a police statement). If he is being pushy about seeing you when it is not suitable then tell him you cant see him. If he persists go back to your insurer and tell them. They will give him, or his instructing company a kick up the arse!

Let me know if you need anymore advice.

[WorkWorry]

Thanks so much for the quick and helpful responses.

I want to help but he is just rather unprofessional and it is making the whole thing feel a bit odd.

Thanks Suitsyou - appreciate your offer. I am curious as to why they don't take your initial claim information as the statement or at least take that into account and only ask any additional questions. What is the minimum amount of time it could take?

Just out of interest.... the other driver told me just after the accident that 'this is the second time this has happened to me this month' which must mean that any damage and injuries he is claiming for would be complicated by possible pre-existing ones. I told my insurers this but wondered whether this would have much impact on the outcome?

[suitsyousir79]

The quickest i can do a statement in, if its fairly straight forward is about 30-40 mins, but i generally type quick quickly. The statement has to be written in a particular format and signed by you, so it cant be written first then brought to you. Just the way it is im afraid. Definitely include what he said to you in your statement. If hes gone into the back of someone twice in a month it shows a possible lack of care while driving or eyesight issues.

[WorkWorry]

Hi suitsyou

Just wanted to say thanks for all your help. The meeting was done in 50 minutes.

However, having now received the typed-up witness statement, it is packed with errors. Some are small but important things such as distances but there are lots of really big mistakes and three whole paragraphs that I never uttered about a manoeuvre in the car which never happened! How could they manage to do that from a recorded statement? There are also contradictory paragraphs - one says there is no damage to my car at all and a page later another describes the damage.

Most worryingly, included along with my draft statement was that of a witness to a completely different incident. It was from a 14 year old boy and includes his name and address!

Should I report them to my insurer for incompetence?

[suitsyousir79]

Hi WorkWorry. Thanks for the PM. I wouldnt have seen this otherwise

We usually get the statements agreed and signed on the day. We do voice recordings but they dont get sent back and signed.

I assume that you have not signed a copy of this statement? I would email the statement back with your concerns and amendments and copy your insurer compamy case handler in. They tend to have little patience with cocked up statements (as i have found out myself!).

Do not sign anything you are not 100% happy with. Its a county court statement and ultimately could be your evidence in court. You need to make sure its correct.

The other statement being attached is very worrying; in 7 years i have only taken one statement from an under 18 year old, it rarely happens. The fact you have his statement is a major data protection breach. We all make mistakes but he sounds grossly incompetent. I would definitely let your insurer know.

[WorkWorry]

Hi Suits

Thanks for your feedback.

The statement was posted to me in hard copy so I have annotated it and will take a photocopy of my edits before I post it back to them with a covering letter pointing out how concerned I am about the errors and completely made-up text, plus the other statement. I have not signed it and won't until it is completely accurate.

I am a little nervous about letting the insurance company know at this point in case they sack him and start all over again with someone else! I may wait until it is over, but I agree, they should know. It also makes me wonder where copies of my statement (with lots of personal info) could have been posted!

Just out of interest, do you include personal details such as previous addresses, what the witness does for a living, their employer and how long they have been employed there? I found that rather strange.

Thanks again

[suitsyousir79]

Hi Work

Who cares if they sack him. He sounds shit. Youd probably be better meeting someone who will do a better job!

Regarding all the detail you mentioned. Its all standard indemnity stuff, the main aim of which is to make sure that the policy has been taken out properly and there is nothing youhadnt told your insurer, which may give them cause to void your policy and the ability not to deal with your claim.

Ive never found the address and employment history of 99% people relevant, its mainly for staged accidents/fraudulently taken out polices, bit we stillhave to get it none the less. It should be in a separate statement to your accident one.

[WorkWorry]

So the previous addresses and employment details should be separate statement? He hasn't done that - the whole lot is lumped in together.

[suitsyousir79]

Amateur! Id be kicking up a Major stink with your insurer about now.