Hi Everyone, I am new to mumsnet and this is my first post.
A few days ago I had an accident (more of a collision) around 4:30ish PM. I was driving and suddenly I felt the car to be a bit unbalanced, a tyre warning light came up on the dash board and within a fraction of second I just lost control (felt like the tyre got busted), I braked and hit a tree on the road side. Luckily there was no other car, person or property involved, it was a very quiet country road. I got out checked the car and tree (tree was pretty huge and looked ok). I really panicked and was scared, I called my partner told him about the accident, he called a mechanic he knows who suggested to call roadside recovery and bring the car to his garage which I did. I came home around 7ish by taxi. Called the insurance around 8ish and informed them about the accident. I then called the police to report it and they said as no one apart from me was involved, no injuries, car is recovered and insurance is informed there is nothing to report, I gave them the location in case they want to go and check anything. They said we have noted the details and that’s it.
Next day the mechanic called after assessing the damage and said it’s better to go through insurance as I don’t have that sort of money (in broad daylight the damage was more then what I thought).
I called the insurance straight away and requested to start a claim, they started the process but now it’s a few days and I feel like they are finding excuses not to pay.
Firstly they said why didn’t I called them from the scene of accident, I checked the policy it states I need to inform them as soon as I can but not mandatory to call from the scene.
Secondly they are saying as the car is quiet damaged why didn’t I call the police on the scene, tbh my initial thought was that as no one else is involved, I have already got recovery on it’s way, I don’t have to call them right now but definitely need to report the incident within 24 hours which I did.
Does anyone think I have grounds to pursue my claim or go to the ombudsman? Or you reckon the insurance is right?
Apologies for the long post. Any comments will be appreciated x.