Anyone been impressed with their car insurance after an accident?

[PanannyPanoo]

My car was written off recently in an accident that was not my fault. I am with Admiral and they have been absolutely terrible. The only way to contact them is via the phone. No online chat, no-reply email addresses. I have been on hold for between 40min and over 2 hours. on 6 different occasions and 3 times been returned to the switchboard while trying to get through to claims. The paperwork side of things is ridiculous and the online portal really glitchy.

They have denied that I have courtesy car cover despite me having the document in my online file that says I do. It's the first time I have needed to use car insurance in nearly 30 years.

Has anyone had a crash and been happy with the service that they had afterwards? Would like to take my next policy out with a company that are easier to contact and more able to help. (Admiral Law have been great so far.)

Liverpool Victoria (LV). Had a small bump which was legally, on paper anyway, my fault (but the actualities were subjective.) Anyway, one phone call to LV to report it all, excellent communication with their chosen garage to get it repaired and everything was sorted. Premium didn't go up. Been with them years - their annual renewal quotes are ALWAYS cheaper than any I see when I go on comparing websites.

Sheila's wheels were good. They took the report over the phone and I downloaded an app to take photos. 21 days courtesy car. Car written off the whole process was really straightforward. They also waved the cancellation fee when I had to change insurers as I bought a grey import.

Sheila's wheels were very good after my accident . They offered a telephone line for emotional Support , provided a courtesy car within days and made the process of supplying information very easy and straightforward. I was kept updated throughout and once my car was deemed a write off , I received my cheque within a short space of time! Could not fault them !

This is very interesting, my dsis is in the middle of a claim with Admiral (not her fault, car went in to the back of her) and listening to the dramas, hours on the phone, things dragging along, I'd only asked her who she was with so I knew who to avoid.

Not car related, but when I insured my dogs with Direct Line they were absolutely amazing, not only did they efficiently sort out the financial aspects they were really caring, friendly and professional. They may not be the cheapest but they sorted everything (including a £10k vet bill) so quickly.

Yes, I'm with A-Plan through their Thatcham branch as I have a modified performance car. I got a deer last year and was ready to have the usual struggles with being haggled down on repair prices, arguing about it being written off etc.

They were absolutely brilliant, told me I had a blank cheque up to £x amount to go and find whoever I wanted to work on it, didn't hassle me about personal injury claims or anything, communicated promptly and efficiently and followed up with me to make sure I was happy with the work done before they paid the final invoice.

Come renewal time they fought hard for me to get the best price they could. Would thoroughly recommend.

Can I ask how much your premium went up. I have had an accident, my fault, I backed into someone. My car is absolutely fine and theirs has a dented panel. I feel sick thinking about how much it will go up when I renew.

My first accident in 37 years of driving so a lot of NCB and thank God it's protected.

By about £400, for two years. From 600 to a 1000.

Another vote for Direct Line. We've been with them since the nineties and have had nothing but good service from them.

However there was a lot of damage. Not comparable to a dented panel.

LV were amazing when a van drove into me. They just took care of everything. They have a dedicated repair shop in my local town.

Thank you. Mine is only £170 so hopefully not too much more? 🤞🏻

Aviva were very, very efficient and fair for two claims of mine in the last few years. All dealt with over the phone -no faff. First was entirely my fault, and second was disputed. (I was inside a hotel at the time, so very grateful that three witnesses came forward to back me up.) Courtesy cars delivered, prompt payment, dealt with all the hassle of pursuing lying third party. Premium fair, given claim history. I don't recommend much, but I'll recommend these people.

When my car was written off hastings were absolutely useless. They tried to recover my DH's car rather than my own (we both had a hastings policy but not a multi car policy) it took ages for them to pay out and they then cancelled my policy despite telling me it would be reinstated when I add a new car to the policy! I've left for another company now.

Direct Line were excellent.

LV we're very good ( despite the accident being undeniably totally my fault) apart from selling my details to ambulance chasers ( not sure why as the crash was at about 5 miles an hour and no injuries).

I'm with Hastings and in the middle of a claim. They've been ok so far.

Accident happened at 11.30am, car was collected by 2pm
I had a hire car within 48 hours
Instructed a solicitor straightaway for my injuries

However, I keep having to go around the Wrekin to see where my car is. Its been 2 weeks and hasn't been assessed yet, as far as I'm aware.

Glad to hear Admiral aren't the best. They're the third party insurers, he just drove away.

I can keep the hire car for 5 days if my car is written off. I have to return the car within 24 hours of repair (if its repaired).

I had an accident years ago and was insured by Direct Line. I had to return the car immediately after they said it was a write off. Definitely not ideal!

First Central were good with us. Recovery, courtesy car straight away and handled absolutely everything.

@PanannyPanoo , how are you getting on? I, too, am being messed around by Admiral after a collision which was not my fault. They're ignoring my request to use my own choice of garage for repairs, & aren't even following their own process. They've just left me with an unrepaired car, & it doesn't seem to make any difference that it won't be costing them anything because they will claim it back off the other insurance company. I thought fully comprehensive insurance was supposed to get rid of problems like this.

Esure were good and fast.
Tesco took forever.
The best I've found was quote me happy. Meant to be online only but I called their number and they answered straight away and it was sorted so fast. The premium didn't even change much. Hopefully won't be testing out more companies 🙈

I’m with quote me happy. Someone hit my car 2 weeks ago, and within a day had it booked in and full use of a hire car until I got mine back. And I’ve kept my no claims as I wasn’t even in the car at the time! Very happy with them.

And another vote for Directline. I had someone write my car off and within 8hrs I had a courtesy car and replacement car seats and claim all settled within a week.

And I got a choice of body works within my area to repair it, all done online and with one courtesy phone call from them.

Did you go through your own insurance company or did you claim off the other driver?

Same. I originally went with them because they get outstanding reviews from people who have put claims in with them, and my own experience validated this.