HOT RGB

Luckily not my Escort, but my BMW M3, someone went into the back of me today on the M1, 3 car shunt, looks like it needs new boot, back panel and bumper. Anyway, took it to BMW garage near me, and they suggested instead of going through my Insurance, to you use a company called Accident Exchange, who will act in effect on my behalf and provide me with a new 55 plate M3, and I dont need to pay my excess!, thus no need to claim it back from the other party's insurer. From what it sounds, they specialise in insurance claims and hiring of prestige vehicles, so once your repairs are authorised by their engineer, they claim all the money back from the other parties insurer, (apparantley you can only use them for non fault accidents). In a nut shell, the garage said they basically act as your insurer but with no cost to the customer.
Anyone ever used them before or similar company?? Also they have said that I dont need to notify my insurance company as they will be doing everything??

Cheers

Rich

Anonymous

i crashed mine too today...my ERST

Damo V

Dont do it, if you are fully comp and have legal cover just go through your ins... all these accident companies, just put everyones premiums up by inflating claims

OldSkoolRS

Like it has already been mentioned steer clear of accident management companies. They will probably charge Ł250 a day for the hire of the BMW when in reality the charge should only be Ł120.

Give your local Enterprise Rent-a-car a call- they'll be able to provide you with a premium vehicle (as long as you can justify the reason, i.e for business use etc) and if liability has been admitted you shouldn't have to pay your excess anyway. If you use this method you should also be able to choose where to take your car to be repaired, and not be dictated to.

The other option is to call up his insurance company and they should provide a vehicle for you. Usually if its someone like Norwich Union they will provide a premium product if you shout loud enough.

I don't suppose you are based in Kent?!

Damo V

OldSkoolRS

Are you in Kent... DO you work for ERAC?

Sean_RS

were you in a crash a couple of days ago?

Anonymous

well yeh a silly one with Rad

HOT RGB

There is no doubt on liability, trouble is it happened today and need a car in the morning/ this weekend as I do use it for business use (lot of mway miles). Ill ring insurance company in the morning.

Cheers

Rich

OldSkoolRS

Unfortunately yes Mr Vennard!

Guess who!

Damo V

If you are fully comp your Ins co will get you a motor and pick yours up ASAP... they will then crack on getting yours fixed, while sort liability with the third party... As above they may have it all sorted before you pick car up/get paid out so may not even have to pay excess!!

Damo V

Ah Nicholas Happy New year my friend

OldSkoolRS

Happy new year to you too! I did once have a user name that resembled me but I didnt use it for ages and forgot what it was!

The thread you read on here earlier in the week (about someone who's shoes nearly got robbed was me!)

Damo V

LOL, just twigged... You know I melted my engine dont you?? Click the link in my sig when you have an hour or so for a read!!!!

BTW have a word with the jockeys in Vehicle Repair you NEED a new SMART repairer LOL

OldSkoolRS

I've had a quick read through and it looks mint!

I'd love a cossie but I'm not blessed with the intelligence to fix it when it invariably goes wrong!

We don't actually use anyone at the moment. After pro finish went tits up they tried to get us to use auto restore (I think), but they got binned after a month cos they were toilet. I'll see what I can do!

I'm off, got work tomorrow am

Sean_RS

lol not a good week then... hows the car?

Matt_B

Me and my ex Mrs had crashes about the same time, i went through a non falt company calld Helphire and she went through her insurance, mine went through well quicker but its up to you.

They will also sort out your personal injury claim if you are doing one

Anonymous

hmm can be fixed. just looks a mess. need 2 wings, bonnet, bumper, and front panel to be pulled out a bit. all lights are good. headlight protectors are shit hot

Lambchop

iTrader: (1)

when i had 2 non fault accidents on my bike last yr it was helphire that my insurance company put me on to to sort it all out. they were brilliant!

Alan s1

But as it was a M3 imo he should have a M3 whiles his is being repaired
Some yrs ago my saph dohc got smashed up and they gave me a bloody match box to drive but thats just imo

ozcos

If your fully comp use your ins comp. If fire & theft use management comp.
The recomended repairer for the ins comp only has to give you a match box under the schemes but managemant company better for replacement car and any personal injury claim.
I use to be a estimater for recommended repairers bodyshop that used both.
Good luck

OldSkoolRS

[quote
But as it was a M3 imo he should have a M3 whiles his is being repaired
Some yrs ago my saph dohc got smashed up and they gave me a bloody match box to drive but thats just imo [/quote]

The insurance companies don't tend to see it like that! IMO as long as they give you something of a reasonable size I think it is fair, they're just trying to keep costs down which (should) help keep our premiums down.

frog

Alan, if they gave you a similar car to the one you crashed, your premium would have to go up too, I'd rather pay less and use a match box for a few days personally

polly_x

iTrader: (2)

Ive just used Accident Exhange for a non fault claim on my 997 Porsche.

As said they basically hire you a equal car at a high rate (they dont tell you this) and the money they get from that covers all the legal proceedings they take up for you ans some profit for them. Hence why they only touch any claims that they are 100% sure they can win and get the cash back. Unti lI had a letter from the 3rd part admitting liability they would not get involved. I am not joking, but as soon as I faxed the letter to them I had a brand new 911 on the drive within about 4 hours!!!!!!

The rates they charge are all insurance ombudsman agreed but still way expensive. I ended up giving my hire car back as I felt guilty having it and it only increases everyones premiums. We are talking 20K plus for around 10 weeks!!!!!!

On the positive side they have been fighting hard against a useless insurance company to get the repair costs back on my behalf. Taken 9 months and still not settled.

Not sure if I would use them again.

Dan

Can't be arsed to read the rest of the thread, stick to this mate and you won't go wrong!

Have never heard of the company you mentioned!

Rob, how did you do the ERST over? You ok mate?

Exeter J

I'd agree with everyone that using a claim company sticks everyones insurance up, BUT you have to do what is right for you in the end, because..

All the recent accidents that my friends and family have had, which have been most probably the other parties fault, have always been settled without dispute by the insurance company as 50:50 costs (used to be knock for knock but now done differently). It is in all insurance companies interests not to fight with other insurance companies - hence they don't bother looking into it, agree it as 50:50, then both parties lose there NCB and excess, and the insurance co's don't have any legal fees to pay out... and you are left pissing and moaning to their call centre geek that it was not your fault!

Hence, if you don't want to use the claim company cos of the overall morals, then.. Ring the other parties insurance co direct and don't claim through yours; Threaten them with you using the claims company and they should prick up their ears and listen. As long as the other party admitts fault, you won't have a problem and you don't get hammered on your excess or risk your ncb if your insurance company do a deal as above on your behalf! I have done this before and it does work ok.