Car Insurance Claim Problems

beamee

I was involved in a car accident last Friday. Hit from rear at traffic lights. Accident was reported to Gardai and other driver accepted responsibility. I informed my insurance company of the accident on Saturday morning. I informed the other drivers insurance company of accident on Monday morning. I have been without my car since the accident. The other drivers insurance company have been unable to contact him since I reported the accident to them. They will not cover car hire for me until other driver has been contacted. They advised me to claim through my own insurance poilcy and recover from them at a later date, which I will not do as i would have to put whole claim through my own policy if I chose to do that. Can I hire a car privately and pass the bill onto other drivers insurance company? How long should I have to wait for other drivers insurance company to get in touch with their client?

Kenny Logins

What did your insurance company say?

bazz26

Just remember that claiming through your own insurance first will mean that you could have an open claim on your policy until your insurance company recover the costs from the other party's insurance company.

Did you not get contact details from the other party at the time of the accident? Any witnesses to the accident? I'd also be logging the incident with the Gardai in the event the other party has decided to not accept liability after sleeping on it. Also speak with your insurance company for advice as I'm sure this is not the first time this has happened. Personally I would not go hiring a car at my own expensive as it could be some hassle getting the money back if you can at all. Can you look at borrowing a car from a friend or family member in the mean time?

beamee

They told me to contact other company and tell them I needed a car as mine is unroadworthy and that if they cant provide one, tell them I would hire one and send bill to them. But other insurance company have said they will not cover the cost of private car hire as their client is not contactable and hasn't accepted liability with them.

beamee

Yes I have contact details for other party. I'm not sure what the guards can do for me at this point. Accident has been reported but I suppose I could call in and see what they say. I have borrowed car up to this point but I can't continue as person needs their own car back.

bazz26

Sounds like one insurance company passing the buck to the other and you the innocent party, are stuck in the middle with no car.