Help - received court papers for damages claim following car accident - don't know what do to

[DavinatheNotsoGoodDriver]

About 8 months ago I had an accident - I drove into a taxi at a junction. My car was a right off but the taxi had some panel damage.

Contacted insurance company and gave details - heard back to hear that claim was progressing.

Today I received a civil claim for damages of between 5k - 15k. I'm so worried - I don't know what to do - the claim form shows costs of about £6.5k for cost of hire of another taxi - I can understand that the taxi driver has needed to hire another vehicle as they make a living from driving - but if you were working as a taxi driver wouldn't you have fully comp insurance that would pay for that?

Is the taxi driver trying to pull a fast one?
What should I do? I only have 13 days to decide. I'm happy to pay some of teh costs if they are reasonable (would have to be in installments as I don't have that type of money - but don't want to end up paying more than I have to.

I feel sick with worry - I don't have legal cover or anything?

i really don't know how all this would work, but might you have legal cover added on to your home insurance? I now we do.

I think this is a fairly well-known scam.

The first thing you must do is phone your insurance company and tell them. They should deal with the other party in an accident, it's what you pay them for. They should cover him for 'reasonable' losses associated with the accident.

If your insurers don't reassure you, go to CAB. But please DON'T PANIC.

ok - thank you - I'll give them a call

its so horrible isn't it - you just don't know what to do.

This is what insurance is for. You shouldn't have to pay anything more than the excess on your policy. You can stop worrying - just phone your insurers then send them the docs special delivery. Keep a copy though.

When we had an accident in DH's car (his fault) but it involved three cars altogether - we did not have to deal with anything, the insurance company were fab.

I don't understand why you have got paperwork - send it on to your insurers.

if had third party, fire and theft insurance - would this have have made a difference?

Just send them to your insurance co - thats what you paid your premiums for.

did you mean

'I had 3rd party....?

if you've not paid for legal cover, it might be a problem. Legal cover sometimes isn't included in your premium, you have to check your policy details, as sometimes you have to pay to have it as an 'add on'.

phew - sorted - am forwarding it on - its do difficult when you don't know what's going on.

thank you everyone - I knew mn would help!