Car claim confusion

[ionabike]

First, I'm a newbie here so I hope I'm doing it right!

I stopped at a Give Way yesterday in my car and someone ran into the back of me. He didn't admit liability, he said he didn't expect me to stop, as if it was my fault.
I rang my insurer (Fortis) just to report the incident as per the terms of the policy, but it turns out they're assuming I've made a claim on my own insurance rather than on the third party's (Direct Line). This in spite of the fact that Fortis say they're sending me a claim form. I wouldn't have thought the claim would be valid until I fill it in and sign it.
It also turns out that I'm to be contacted by the Total Loss Department, from which I assume the car has been written off already before any inspection!
The damage appears superficial and I don't want to have to re-register the car and have it recorded as a total loss, assuming they let me keep it. I think it must be their policy to write off cars above a certain age (it's a 16-year old VW Corrado) regardless.
I haven't been able to get a repair estimate yet, but if it's not too high I might be better just sorting it myself.
My question is, do I have to accept being hustled like this? What's in it for them, surely no claim equals no payout so I'd have thought they'd be pleased to drop it.
In any case, if the repair's going to be expensive and I want to claim, shouldn't I be contacting Direct Line?
This might seem clueless, but I'm not in the habit of making insurance claims and I guess you learn from experience.

[gyzmo]

If you are asking your insurance company to repair / pay for your car then you are making a claim on your policy. Fortis in turn will then seek payment from the Third Party, thus leaving it as a no-fault claim if successful.

I think what was meant was that you notify your insurer (without making a claim) and then claim direct against DL policy, but if anything goes wrong, it would be for you to chase DL and not your insurer.

It comes down to whichever way you prefer. Ask Fortis to hold on the claim until liability has been obtained from DL. Otherwise, simply withdraw the claim and pursue it yourself.

[ionabike]

Gyzmo, thanks for such a clear and concise response, in contrast to my confused ramblings!
I've had the damage inspected by a local bodyshop who estimated a couple of hundred pounds to tidy it up, so I've decided not to pursue a claim. Fortis couldn't understand why I didn't want to claim, but they agreed to stop the process.
Claiming from DL would have risked them writing off the car and disposing of it, which would be the worst option possible.
OK, so I'm a couple of hundred out of pocket through no fault of my own but it's worth it for a quiet life.

[gyzmo]

What makes you think it would be a TL? You can still claim cash in lieu, though it is a bit of a more convoluted process. It is however worth it if you dont want a TL.

[ionabike]

Because Fortis said it was, even before they inspected it, probably because of the age and their low valuation.

[gyzmo]

OK but you can normally claim a bit of cash in lieu of repairs / it being written off. However, the insurer will want to see documentation. I would phone again and ask for this as it will be the best of both worlds. DL may do it but it is more than likely that your insurer would. Probably better speaking to the engineer as they are more clued about this than the call centre staff who will think cash in lieu is coins fell out of someones pockets when on the toilet.....

[ionabike]

But it would count as a claim and I'd lose my £300XS?

[gyzmo]

yes it would if you used you insurer. however, that is recoverable (usually DL will pay it otherwise if you have legal expense cover they can claim it back for you).

If you claim direct against DL then no excess is payable.

[ionabike]

Well there might be a good chance of recovering the XS, but it would still be a claim, and I've found in the past that after making a claim, even though the NCB is protected, the premium shoots up on renewal. They'll always get it back somehow, and more. And of course it affects taking out a policy with a new company if I've had a recent claim.
I just don't feel it's worth it for £200.

Apologies for the delay in responding, but I'm trying to get on with my life now I've decided to stop being a full-time insurance claimant.

[gyzmo]

Well when I get insurance (for an old banger) it will be TPF&T with legal protection.