Car Write Off - Have to give up work?

[Wild123]

So some dick went into the back of my car nearly 3 months ago and has written off my car which is on finance.

It took me a couple of months of research to buy a car that was going to be reliable, economical, at a low risk of faults, cost effective and with low mileage (12070 at time of purchase).

I am no longer in a position to buy or re-finance another car and my daughters school is 2.4 miles from my house in the opposite direction of where I work. I currently do the school run in the morning and take my lunch break to collect her in the afternoons. I can't use public transport to get to school and back to work on time and i for sure can't afford the additional childcare to put in morning and after school club.

AIBU to feel like this is not fair? What the hell do I do now? I can't give up my full time job..

Can you finance again or borrow from credit union?

Higher risk finance*
An expensive short contract*

Get a cheap run around until your finance is sorted. Anyone you can borrow a grand from?

Is their insurance company not paying out?

Surely you got a payout from the car write off, which either paid off the car or you have in cash?

I'm not being flippant, but would it be worth using some of the money you were paying monthly for the car for a regular taxi?

Could you negotiate with a private taxi company for a fixed monthly amount.

Why did your insurance or the other persons not cover all of the costs?

Why is the insurance not paying? Can you get a £500 banger in the interim?

It seems crazy to have to give up your job because of lack of a car.

We've had a succession of old bangers that cost less than £500. One of them was our second car for 4 years and was in near daily use for most of that time. If you can raise £500 (advance on wages or loan from work? borrow from family? possibly even get cash on a credit card?) and have a friend/relative who's knowledgeable about cars and is prepared to check out a few basic things, it's a very cheap way of motoring.

You can't afford to be fussy about make or model, just go for whatever has the longest MOT.

That's what I'd do. I know borrowing on a credit card is expensive, but it's still cheaper than giving up work, even in the short term.

I'm guessing that the insurance settlement all went on clearing the finance for the first car, but it seems really unfair that you're in this position when you were in no way to blame.

Explain the situation to work and ask if you can work slightly later to make up for being late in the morning, for the short term?

Are you a single parent? Are there any school moms who can help with the school run?

How old is DD?

The insurance covers the finance no extra - i am a single parent and i literally have no additional money. I currently pay £110 per month for my car (i already paid the insurance up til March).

Taxis are £20 per day (school and back to work twice then could walk home)

Are bicycles an option? Didn't you get a courtesy car or payout from the insurance?

I am already in debt with a now bad credit rating (wasn't at the time of financing the car) so have no access to a credit card - parents are dead and i can not afford to borrow money to buy a new car.

How is this fair.. al this because someone couldn't drive properly? (then tried to blame me but thats a whole other story).

Wild didn't own any of the car it was hired so insurance owe her nothing.
Haven't finance company offered you a more expensive offer that you can use short term?

What will you do for money if you give up work? I don't think you can claim benefits really in that situation, although you could get top ups if you change jobs, agree a bike is a good idea

Did you get the other driver's insurance details? If so, it should be no problem getting them to pay - if you rear-end someone you're pretty much bang to rights.

If your child is of primary age, and if she is at the nearest suitable school, then you are entitled to have transport provided by the council.

If the child is under 8 you may wish to look at Council School transport?

The insurance will pay the finance company directly (i did have GAP insurance but the amount will settle the finance without it).

There is closer schools which would be fine but they have no space.

I'm an office manager so need to be here from 9-5 there is no negotiation on that.

Have you spoken to work about flexible working options until you get yourself sorted? Most people are not in a position to just give up work and it would make you quite financially vulnerable. Would another mum at the school met you part way until you're back on your feet to make it easier for you to walk a few miles to work or leave time to get a bus?

The guy EVENTUALLY admitted liability so his insurance is paying (his company as was driving a work vehicle).

My LO is 8.5 yo

OK time to think outside the box.

Other schools parents in the area
Asking for flexible working
Second hand bike
Local non-profits/charities/micro-lenders
Local women's organisations
Local single parent organisations
Crowd funding (I know but outside the box)
Sell stuff
How old is the child for public transport?
Talk to the school about anything they know
Sue the bastard (not really but outside the box)
Anything else you can think of?

Yes this really sucks.
Have you tried all finance options? Credit card for an old banger? Not that I would encourage you to get into debt.
After school club?

Did you pick that school for Reception or did you move into the area after Reception?

You could claim for costs/loss of earnings as a third party but it takes time.

Credit Union.

Hi OP nothing to add but just wanted to say, yes, it really does suck. It's not fair how much upheaval you're experiencing.

Last Oct we had a lorry hit us - the claim still isn't sorted because the lying bastard driver keeps pissing about with apparent "footage" he's suddenly acquired. Which my insurers mysteriously aren't able to access. Piss taker