My wonderful beetle was parked on the road when two joyriders with a mini-cooper hit it.?

welcome news

Your insurance company will pay for the repairs direct to the garage - less the excess or make you a total loss offer for the vehicle (Which becomes their property) and deduct the excess from it if the vehicle turns out to be beyond economical repair.

A lot depends on whether these people were Joyriders i.e. had taken the vehicle without the owner's consent,or if they had insurance.

If they took the vehicle without the owner's consent then the owner's insurance company has no obligation to pay your excess. If they are insured then their insurance company will pay the excess once the receipt is paid to them.

If there is no insurance on the Mini then in theory you can go to the MIB (Motor Insurance Bureau - not Men In Black!) but the excess is probably higher than your own.

You should be contacted by the garage to take the vehicle in for repairs (I am not sure if you will be provided with a courtesy car under the Direct policy - you would if you've bought through a broker (and the cover is better as well))

You will have to pay the excess to the garage when the repairs are completed. You should be advised by the insurance company of the amount you will have to pay them. (Watch out if they demand VAT on the excess - that is a con!)

I am sure that if you contact a local insurance broker they will be more than happy to offer a quote - and you gain independent advice and a professional help on any queries you may have on your insurance policy - this is worth a lot more than any premium saving you may make by going 'Direct' (as it seems you have found)

Mike C

You'll need to check your details, but normally you won't have to pay a penny. Make sure they had insurance, and get the garage to put the vehicle on a jig to make sure they haven't twisted the frame or anything else.
Also, pester your insurance company for information. You pay them enough money every year.

Scouse

You have handed it over to your insurance company, that is what you pay the premiums for. They will know exactly who insuers the joy riders vehicle ( I take it it was not stolen) and you claim for your excess, but only after you have paid it, until you do you have no claim. With my insurers you pay the excess to the repairers and get a receipt. each insurer has it's own procedure. talk to them and once your claim for the excess is in 'phone them sometimes ( about 2/3 weeks apart) to see what is giong on

jessie

you always have to pay your excess regardless of whose fault it is and when everything is resolved, like who was at fault etc, you should get your excess refunded. But it can take a few months before you will get it refunded, dont hold your breath! Also when companys say they will call you back its nonsense. You have to keep chasing them.

LouLou

beetle!?

sensible_man

Your insurance company is probably in the middle of processing a claim for damages againt the person that hit your car. I had this happen and my insurance paid for repairs to my car and then pressed charges against the other driver. I received my deductible payment back when they settled the suit. The excess (deductible) was paid to the repair shop.

Nommo

the simplest thing is to ring your insurer and ask them, don't wait for them to contact you as you will be waiting forever, be proactive and pick up the phone.

HeatherzFeatherz

no idea. I had my car stolen and the thief hit another car. I ended up having to pay through my insurance for the other car. How fair is that huh.

Pat R

When my car was hit,the repairers picked it up and I had to pay them the excess when they brought it back.

Not sure if they are all the same though.

Amanda

You claim on their insurance so you do not need to pay any excess. I have never had to pay any money out if the accident was not my fault.
Its only if you go through your own insurers that you need to pay it.
Good luck, hope it all gets sorted for you!!

peanutbutterjellytime

You usually don't have to pay excess if you claim on their insurance.

UCANTCME

CHECK WITH THE BOARD OF INSURANCE WHICH IS ON LINE AND THIS WAY YOU WILL BE ABLE TO SEE FIRST HAND ALL INSURANCE COMPANIES INCLUDING THEIR RATINGS AS WELL AS HOW THEY PAY AND TREAT CONSUMERS.

Doctor John

bugger that! Was the mini OK?

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: