Friend borrowed my car and had an accident.

[Bullbreedbliss]

So my friend, who is lovely, went on holiday to a remote area in the uk but she was worried as she has an electric car and there are limited charging stations so I let her borrow my car. Unfortunately someone drove into them and damaged the passenger doors. I can still drive the car but I can’t open the damaged doors and it looks awful. It wasn’t her fault as someone drove into her however it was her accident so we are having to deal with her insurance to get it fixed. We are approaching three weeks post accident and we are still waiting for the garage to take the car. First the garage said they were waiting for the insurance company to approve work, but that appears so have been authorised now so I don’t understand what’s taking so long. It’s frustrating as it’s her insurance company so it’s not like I can phone up to talk to them, and we are stuck using the insurance approved garage. I’m starting to feel quite anxious as she goes away abroad for six weeks soon and I feel like the longer we leave it, the less likely that it will be repaired. I feel guilty as I’ve been messaging her for updates and starting to feel like I’m badgering her. Moral of the story.. never lend your car out!

She had the accident so she needs to pay all. None of this accident damage was your fault and you should not have to pay a penny. She is the one who has caused your car to be written off. I think you may lose a friend over your kindness.

Taxguru, this is 'keiciu' , whose post you have replied to. Thank you.
My car was stolen, but then recovered (damaged) by the police 3 weeks later, so I do not have any other party to claim insurance from 😤

Update.. so apparently we have damaged their car. We scuffed the wheel which we knew about, told them when it happened and offered to get it fixed. They took car back on Monday and phoned Friday to say the seil/paint is damaged and it’s making a funny noise and they think the wheel axel is damaged. They are estimating 1500 to fix. We had fully comprehensive insurance on it but that ended Monday and apparently you have to report an accident within 48 hours or they may not accept a claim. So that’s us a further 1500 pound out of pocket, it just gets worse and worse. 🙈

It’s in the garage on Tuesday. Depending on what they say it I might have to take settlement and find a new car. I paid 4000 in April, but I think I’ll be lucky to get 3000 for it now minus the 750 pound excess which I will have to wait for while they establish no fault. So even further out of pocket. Arghhh.

Your so called friend is now playing games, you must of hit her wheel very hard to damage the axle . I'm starting to think she's trying it on .

Hmmm that sounds very convenient.
However, why are you paying the excess on your car? If it’s via her insurers, I’d assume she was paying it?

Do you believe your friend and can she provide evidence of the issue she alleges her vehicle has?

This reeks of bullshit.

Your friend is sounding less lovely with every update.

What is this excess? On the accident with your car? Either she pays it or you reclaim it from the third party. You should not be left out of pocket by a no fault accident.

Sounds like you are going to need a solicitor.

I think a few people upthread mentioned checking their home or car insurance to see if it included a legal helpline.

Can she give you permission to talk to her insurance company then you could chase directly. I do this for my Mum’s gas etc, they just put a note on the account that I’m authorised to talk to them (we don’t have power of attorney)

Wow. This ‘friend’ is a piece of work.

Well she’s no friend is she.

Bodyshops approved by the insurer most def don't get paid good hourly rates or over and above the bare minimum repair time. Everything part needing to be replaced or repaired has to be imaged as does every part that needs painting. The insurance company takes a massive discount on the retail price of the parts and then charges the bodyshop a fee for referring a repair to them.
Some insurers will charge double your excess if you don't use their approved bodyshop but that will be in the small print of the policy.

Bodyshops are busy and don't appreciate being threatened.

Believe me I know, having been in the business for many years.

Car repairs are taking a while now, especially if it’s classed as minor damage. Mine was 6 weeks before the insurers garage could fit it in and the insurers declined the other quotes I got.

This with fucking bells on! Surely you'd have noticed a noise? Take it for a second opinion!

Do you have gap insurance for your car?

You shouldn't be out of pocket for your car at all and less reason to be soft about it now she's charging you £1500 for doing her a favour. She's despicable.

Keep asking her for updates on a daily basis! She should feel mortified and put it right asap even if it ends up costing her

how dare she put you through this and not be bothered!

And never lend her as thing again ever once it is sorted

what kind of friend is this!

I would be discussing this ad infinitum with wider friendship group. Make sure her name is dirt socially.