To ask if anyone is an expert in car insurance/write offs

[HollaHolla]

Posting for traffic......
I have a lengthy saga of a non-fault accident (hit in rear whilst stationary) being a screw-up at all stages, but the latest is one which is beyond all others, and hoping someone can please help. Everywhere closed by the time I got home and received the letter, but I’m on flights for most of the next two days. :(

I was stopped (random breath check) over the Xmas period, and as part of the checks, the police told me my car had been registered scrapped 2 years ago. I was horrified - it’s been raced, insured & MOT-ed twice since then.

I called DVLA within an hour, and they couldn’t work it out. They’ve sent me a letter today, saying it’s a Cat A write off, and I have to take it to be crushed within 14 days! I’m really anxious and upset about this (obviously) there’s been an error made - but I only had 28 days from the date of notification to DVLA to contest it.

I’ve emailed to the insurance company tonight , as everywhere shut at 8, and I only got in at 8.30..... hoping someone of the wise mumsnet collective is able to advise on getting this error overturned - and whether I can drive it?! DVLA said yes a fortnight ago, but now really worried. Need to be at airport for 4.30am! Argh!!

Is this the kind of thing the Insurance Ombudsman could help with?
I have no experience, but it just crossed my mind that if the company won't listen the Ombudsman might be able to bring pressure.

I had similar @alliwantisabitofpeace someone Sr be into a car behind me, that then hit me. My insurance wanted to write my car off for a damaged rear bumper. Tim got involved, my car was repaired and returned to me with no write off category.

He's really trying to help my dad at the moment too. When we came back from holiday, dad was house and dog sitting and his car parked outside my house, the cab driver driving us wasn't paying attention and hit my dad's parked car. They sorted it out between them, the cab driver coughed up, all amicable. But dad (like a fool) let his insurance know, so they have a record.

They immediately increased his premiums by 60%!

He was dozing on the sofa when the prang happened and no claim was made! Some of these companies are scum.

Well. Some level of success!! The marker has been removed, and I am legal again. They accept it was a clerical error, and the car was never written off (or even in danger of it). No-one notified them of this, so it looks as though someone is doubly incompetent - and an issue that their systems allow this to happen.

However, the other company (MoreThan/RSA just to warn you all) are refusing to take a complaint any further. They are saying because I’m a 3rd party, they have no responsibility to do so. Ridiculous. Their incompetence has had real implications for me (invalidated insurance & potential £1000 fine), but it’s ok because they said sorry! They should never have had this access to my data, or been able to make this marker, as they never owned my car..... incompetence throughout.

I’m glad I’m legal with my car again, but still raging about their lack of accountability.

I would put a formal complaint in writing and if they still refuse to deal with the complaint then move on to the insurance ombudsman as it’s not good enough. Glad you have now got your car legally back on the road but I would still pursue the complaint as they need to ensure it doesn’t happen again.

I’d also make a formal complaint @HollaHolla. I don’t think they can reject it with any validity by saying you’re not their customer/a third party. If for example they were sending paperwork to a third party & the third party complained they would beed to investigate/respond. I work in complaints (although not the insurance section) & we Respond to third party/prospect complaints all the time. HTH

Thanks all. I’ve checked my (NHS/public sector) organisation’s complaints policy, and it states that through interaction, we have an implicit agreement, so going down a bit of that route - although concentrating on it from a commercial business POV. I’ve also spent the best part of a day over the last week on this - and have been at risk of Insurance cancellation /£1000 fine. If I get any criminal convictions, I’m also at risk of losing my job..... so - it’s off to the ombudsman!
Many thanks all, who have helped. I’m so relieved my car (and me!) are legal again.

Definitely complain to the ombudsman!