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Original poster

can anyone tell me how insurance claims work??

14 replies

duomonstermum · 30/05/2008 17:45

my DH and i were involved in an accident last friday (a car ran into the back of his bike). i wasn't badly hurt but he has cracked ribs and whiplash as well as damage to our clothing, helmets and the bike. the driver of the car admitted liabilty and there were several witnesses. we've seen a solicitor and submitted a claim for the damage to bike and clothing but need to know what else we have to do with regards to loss of earnings etc. DH has a very physical job and has been signed off for 6-8wks (he has to attend his doctor every 2wks) which means that our only income will be SSP. also the damage to the bike was more substantial than we expected and we're not sure what happens if it's written off. would he only be offered the book value even though he had only got the bike that morning and it had very low milage. the estimate seems fair but there's also a daily storage charge. would we be liable for any of this or could the insurance refuse to pay for storage? we have never been involved in a rta so would appreciate any advice as to procedure, time scale etc.

OP posts:
Iota · 30/05/2008 17:48

poor you and your dh. I believe that you can claim for your injuries and loss of earnings - I would have thought that your solicitor would have been the one to advise on this.

Iota · 30/05/2008 17:50

Have jsut realised that it is a motorbike - can you not claim via own insurance company?

whomovedmychocolate · 30/05/2008 17:53

He may need to get a personal injury claim. Some insurance companies do not cover this but he can pursue a no win no fee case - but do go to a reputable firm - ask the motor insurance company to suggest someone if they don't cover it - they will have partnerships with good companies.

Original poster
duomonstermum · 30/05/2008 18:21

does that mean that the personal injury would be dealt with separately to the damage to the bike etc? the solicitor has written to the drivers insurance company but he's reccomending that we pursue the personal injury claim once he returns to work so that we have a definite time scale to work out loss of earnings. i'm just really confused as to what way things work. i know that once the insurance company gets the estimate for the repairs they'll send out an assesor but what happens after that???? is it usually a case of one payment for the repairs and then a separate one for personal injury? or do they lump it all together and make one offer/payment? we're tearing our hair out about the money situation. i've spent the day getting in touch with people to let them know and most of our creditors have been helpful but that doesn't put food on the table. we have a small amount put by but it's not a lot cos we had only just started to put money by "just in case" (ironic!!)

OP posts:
Original poster
duomonstermum · 30/05/2008 18:23

iota do you mean make a claim off our insurance even though it wasn't our fault?

OP posts:
TheBlonde · 30/05/2008 18:27

do you have fully comp cover or just 3rd party?
you should call your insurance company anyway

Iota · 30/05/2008 18:28

no I meant that you report the accident to your insurance company and they contact the other person's insurance company and claim from them. I am fully comp though - are you?

For example: My car was hit in the rear by the car behind - totally his fault. We exchanged insurance details. I reported it to my insurers and they sorted the claim out on my behalf.

Original poster
duomonstermum · 30/05/2008 18:29

we have fully comp. didn't realise i had to phone them. will do that first thing! gawd this is doing my head in!!lol

OP posts:
TheBlonde · 30/05/2008 18:29

usually your insurance will provide legal cover eg the solicitor stuff

if the other party says it isn't their fault then be prepared for it to be up to 3 years to get your money

Iota · 30/05/2008 18:30

Thank goodness you are fully comp - they are probably still working now - ring them now

TheBlonde · 30/05/2008 18:30

ah if fully comp your insurer will pay you and then get the money off the other party

Original poster
duomonstermum · 30/05/2008 18:31

iota, oooh that's what you meant. completely bypassed them and went to my solicitor. should i not have done that???Confused(we need more emoticons!)

OP posts:
Iota · 30/05/2008 18:32

just get on the phone to your insurance co and they will sort you out

Original poster
duomonstermum · 30/05/2008 18:38

thank you!!!! i shall now inform DH that he must now bow to the might that is MN. he was sure we wouldn't get an answer!

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