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..

Would your employer consider reducing your salary by the amount needed to get a leased car? I'm not sure if that kind of perk is included in benefits assessment.. if not, perhaps the salary reduction would put you back under the threshold you went over with your pay rise?

I don't understand all the financial details, but until you get sorted, is there any chance a work colleague could drive you to school at lunchtime, to save you the taxi fare? Obviously offer petrol money. Even if they did it 2 days a week, that's a bit of money saved - and you could maybe put that money into afterschool care for a day?

Would a friend's parent be willing to have her after school 1 day a week? Or drop her at your office?

Sorry, that was unclear... a car leased by the business and then lent to you as part of your work contract

@VolcanionSteamArtillery - by all means, it was 8 years ago now though mind but I was insured with Tesco at the time. For me it was less the timescale and more the fact i was not contacted until after they had settled and was not given an opportunity to dispute, you say kept costs down - I had photos showing no damage to either vehicle and 2 witnesses stating that I was travelling at under 10mph so how on earth 3 days lost earnings, hire cars and injuries (yet no repair costs - how bizarre ) were able to be claimed for without my input as the policy holder was, and still is beyond me.

Wild123, I forgot to mention we were also paying the finance on the car, PLUS hiring one so I could get to work. As I said it took 3 months. The car was recovered to a garage near to the crash site, while I was there, the wheels were stolen at one point, insurance assessor went to look at it, and said he wasnt inspecting it with no wheels, so we had to buy them as well. Things were different then, but now, with my car sinsurance, I make sure it covers the cost of a hire car. My 2nd DH was hit in a car park, large empty, while picking me up, by a taxi mini bus, the man was just about to scarper, he hadnt seen my DH in the car, they exchanged details, I said at the time, the bloke wasnt insured, why else would he run away, insurance company asured us he was insured. Turns out he wasnt took 23 months for settlement, BUT they did repair DHs car first, then chased the other driver.

Yes - please speak to your finance company but tell them everything and make it clear that you are vulnerable. If you can do then please tell them about your breakdown. They are regulated by the FCA and so will have to have a policy for vulnerable customers.

@QforCucumber

I already knew it will be a UKI group. Its a shame you wont go with them cos having worked in the business they are one of the best. The trouble with insurance company's is people dont really understand what they do and how, so even when they do a pretty spectacular job like in your case it doesn't get recognised. Insurance companies dont help cos often they dont take the time to explain.

You weren't disputing contact between you and the other car. If it was to go to court doctors report would have been pretty conclusive evidence of injury. As "independent expert" evidence they would have stacked up pretty heavily against your witnesses, especially if the witnesses were known to you (eg in your car) and therefore considered partial. (The only way you might have had any chance of a successful dispute is if they were two policemen with a speed gun.)

From the speed that your claim settled my guess is shortly after you reported the claim you would have had a letter from UKI you had a letter confirming the case would be passed to the Third Party team, most likely on the "confirmation of claim" letter. They would have handled all aspects of the other partys claim, ideally keeping them well away from their own insurance company. So by taking over the claim they prevent the third party going and hiring a car at full cost, picking their own more expensive repairers etc. You want this process the be a slick as possible because if it isn't and a third party goes to their own insurance company or manages it themselves, the hire cost bill alone can be eye-watering expensive. Im guessing the no repairs bill means she had concerns the car was a write off and cancelled the repairs before the report could be done confirming it. This might especially be true with an old car.

So doing it your way the most likely result would be you'd have increased the cost of the claim and lost.

@VolcanionSteamArtillery I'd be inclined to agree with your if the witnesses weren't a lollipop lady and teacher at the side of the road who took photos themselves too and offered to the 'injured party' to email them on to her as her phone wasnt working at the time. The 6 month old Audi A4 she was driving had not a single mark on it, hence the frustration. When it happened I worked for the AXA group so was more than familiar with the processes and procedures - still doesn't stop me being furious at people who make bullshit claims as they know they'll just get paid out.

AXA? My condolences. Still could have been worse, could have been Allianz

Is there a community transport scheme in your area. Usually they take oldies to the hospital for appointments but they are for anyone with difficulties accessing transport. It works on a fee per mile to the volunteer driver. It’s a lot cheaper than taxis
Asking freecycle for a bike there’s also freagle
Does your council or sustainable transport scheme have a system for matching lift sharers?
I’ve had quite a few old bangers, some have been excellent, one died within weeks and others have needed a fair bit of work. So I’m cautious about bangers.

www.kickstartmopeds.org.uk/kickstart-moped-scheme
There are also moped hire schemes, sometimes called wheels to work, councils run some schemes others are run by charities or community transport schemes.
Your local CAB or voluntary services hub would be a good place to ask.

Get a bike. There are lots of options for transporting your DC on a bike (eg trailer, tagalong, cargo bike). Family Cycling UK group on Facebook is a good place to start for advice.

If you're new to cycling, most local authorities do free cycling skills courses for adults, covering how to cycle safely and confidently on the road.

There will be some initial outlay (look at second hand options) but it's outweighed by not having to pay for petrol etc etc.