Is my mum being ripped off?

[1993obj]

My mum had an accident that was her fault the other week. All is going through the insurance. However, the value of their car is worth less than the outstanding finance. The couple involved have a shortfall of ££££ due to outstanding finance.

When I have had a new car I've had bridging insurance to cover this shortfall. However this couple didn't have this and so the insurance will only pay out the value and not cover the outstanding money.

The couple rang my mum who is mid 70s and told her that without the money they will be unable to afford a new car and so they want her to pay for the shortfall.

She is aware it is her fault and was made to feel guilty. I don't want my elderly mother being taken for thousands of pounds if these ppl are just chancing their luck but I do understand she feels it is her fault and wants to put things right but is this right? Should she be paying this or is it their fault for not having the correct cover on their insurance and therefore its tough? I've never claimed on insurance or had an accident so no idea how it all works.

Sorry the value of the other party's car is worth less than the finance not my mum's car.

Absolutely not, they are trying it on

The insurers will pay her the amount it would cost them to go out and buy exactly the same car

Their finance deal is not your mothers problem

No way. They should have had gap insurance; why do they think they should get a fully paid up car in exchange for the "part" they owned on the written off car?

She definitely should not pay the couple for them not having the correct insurance. Absolutely cheeky fuckers.

Yanbu that’s why you get gap insurance it’s an unfortunate lesson for them to learn but not your mums responsibility. If they call again report them to the police for harassment of an older person

Agree, it's their problem.

However, the value of their car is worth less than the outstanding finance. The couple involved have a shortfall of ££££ due to outstanding finance.

How much is the actual damage costing? Is their car now deemed a total loss?

Nope, it's going through insurance, your DM is not obligated to pay their outstanding finance.

That’s their fault. Your mums insurance should only be covering the value of the car or it’s repairs, not the extra finance. Do they want your mum to pay for it out of her own pocket or through the bank?

I mean through the insurance company not bank.

No she shouldn't pay imo. Its her fault for the accident but not her fault their car is worth less than what the owe on it.
Feel for both sides but think it would be going above and beyond for your mum to pay the short fall and she shouldn't if it means she has to go with out.

It goes through the insurance and your mum doesn't pay anything other than her excess amount.
Feel for the other couple but thats not your mums problem.

Your mum should only go through the insurance, their shortfall is not her responsibility.

Your poor mum, I'm angry on her behalf! It's not her fault they are too cheap to pay for gap insurance! Please make sure you tell them where to go in no uncertain terms

I've never heard of gap insurance but regardless of that it's not your Mums job to make up for them being insufficiently insured to cover their needs.

Nope ! The insurance pay what they have to and that’s that! Don’t get involved in handing money over in a delegate arrangement

Another no from me, they should have purchased sufficient car insurance. They are CF’s

Private arrangement (not delagate) 🙄

No not your mother’s problem at all. They took the risk of this Happening by not having gap insurance and need to Learn a lesson the hard way unfortunately. The same happened to my sister and we’ve all had gap insurance since

As others have said that’s what gap insurance is for. They should not be contacting your mum, her insurance company is dealing with the situation. I would tell her not to engage with them anymore.

No, they should have had gap insurance.

Absolutely not, and it’s a shame for them that it’s not been caused by them, but this is why gap insurance exists. I would tell your mum to block them on phone email and any other methods, and only deal via insurance company now.

I pay less insurance and take the risk. It wouldn't even occur to me to claim from a guilty party. I tend to not insure much and I think what I save in that over the years, means I can pay out for something if needed that isn't covered by insurance.

Absolutely not, don't let your DM pay them a penny. They have f*** up by not getting gap insurance and that's not your DM's fault. They should not be contacting your DM directly, everything should be going through her insurance. I would tell her to make her insurance company aware of this.

Tell her not to take any calls from them, it's up to the insurance companies. Let her company know about the bullying calls too. If they threaten to sue her through the small claims they'd get nowhere, it's just their hard lines.

Chancers, Id be making your mums insurance company aware they’ve approached like this too, completely inappropriate.