To refuse to take out credit

[Napmum]

So, I was rear-ended last night. The guy has already admitted fault, and the damage does not seem that bad. My insurance company asked me if I wanted their contracted company to deal with arranging a hire car and repairs, I agree.

Next thing I know, this company is asking me to sign a credit agreement with them "to cover the cost of repairs until the insurer gets the money." I said no, I am not being a guarantor and mediator between two large companies. I paid for a premium level of customer care in the event of an accident, and this does not feel like it!

I had something similar a few years ago. It was the other drivers fault as I was parked in a car park at time! But the company contracted to deal with repairs for my insurer wanted me to sign up to some other policy in case they couldn't recoup costs from the other driver.
After several frustrating phone calls where I refused to sign up to anything I sent an email to my insurance company complaints dept saying I have fully comp insurance with YOU and I want YOU to fix my car. YOU can then pursue the other driver (who has admitted liability) to recover your costs. I will not be taking out any other policies.

One of their staff rang me up and sorted it all out for me, booking the car in for repair etc. I had to pay the excess up front by doing it that way but they got the money back for me

PLEASE don't agree to this car. My brother has had an absolute nightmare with this, and the car hire company have been trying to recover costs from him totalling MORE than the cost of the brand new hire car. The fees are ridiculously high and most third party insurers will not see the need for this high cost and may even refuse to pay out. Meanwhile his insurance company put in delay after delay to string out the hire, and like you it was a 100% no quibble fault (he was also rear ended at lights). Also the insurance company (Yoga) passed him from pillar to post so that in the end he had no idea who he was supposed to be dealing with. There was an article in the Guardian about this. Please do read it and don't sign anything you are not sure about.

www.theguardian.com/money/2018/sep/14/why-am-i-now-liable-for-my-no-fault-accident-claim

I forgot to say, this car hire company also charge to store the damaged car. And again, they use delay tactics to keep it there.

No. Sign nothing. Make a complaint to your insurer.

NO NO NO! Do not do this, I didn't realise this last time someone hit my parked car. I ended up taking the other party's insurance company to court as they refused to pay the costs of the hire car.
I have to provide bank statements and written statements to the courts. Took 2 years of stress and headache for them to settle the payment the day before the court case

• NO NO NO! Do not do this, I didn't realise this last time someone hit my parked car. I ended up taking the other party's insurance company to court as they refused to pay the costs of the hire car. I have to provide bank statements and written statements to the courts. Took 2 years of stress and headache for them to settle the payment the day before the court case*

This is where my brother is at. He's been told it will have to go to court. He's had to see the GP due to the stress this has all caused him.

I had something similar. Someone rear ended me - a van in a huge national fleet. I had courtesy car as part of my cover - no probs there. A few months later my ins company contacted me as the fleet manager wanted to claim back the costs of the courtesy car as 'I could afford it'. They even sent me a form to write down all my financial incomings and outgoings! Fuck that shit!

Your insurer has referred you to a 'claims management company' - the big ones are Kindertons, Slater Gordon and Copart. Avoid like the plague as you have no recourse through the financial ombudsman service if it all goes Pete tong

Wow, I feel like I've uncovered a national scandal. Do not worry, I will not sign it. It stinks.

Hubby recommended I go to my garage and get quotes as I am by rights able to use the garage I want. I feel miffed that I paid fully comp and then they do this!

I'd make sure you let your insurance know that you are not happy about it , it's not what you would expect to happen when you make a claim is it .

@Napmum they're entirely separate to your insurer so go back to your insurer and tell them you want to claim on your policy. You'll need to pay the excess but this will be refunded when they've recovered the costs from the other side

Are they the type of company places like Carpetright use to get out of honouring any guarantees ?

www.rac.co.uk/business/news-advice/accident-management-companies

I remember this being offered to us, we didn't agree, they were charging an astronomical amount for the car hire which they would claim ftom the other insurance company with the caveat that we would have to pay if they disputed the cost. Avoid and switch your company when you next renew. We contacted the liable drivers insurance company direct ourselves and they handled the whole thing with no inconvenience.

Yeah, I think I'm going to go through the liable parties' insurance. They have been proactive, whereas I rang my insurance company yesterday, and they cut me off after I was on hold for over 40mins.

I figured if they agree to pay before I start anything, then I know I'm not out of pocket. But I'm going to be cautious.

Thanks everyone, it did seem weird to me

So so sorry I meant to start a new thread !!!

No way. I’ve had 2 crashes and never had to do this!!

I've never heard of this, it's absolutely outrageous. It should be illegal.
I'm so pleased I've heard about it now, hopefully I'll never be in this situation but forewarned is forearmed!
Good luck OP.