Thanks for taking the time to respond and for your thoughts which are very much appreciated. It's given me a few things to think about.

I see what you're saying but the photos are pretty clear that the obstacle was obscured, and shouldn't have been there in the first place, having been left there negligently by the security company. If I thought I was entirely at fault, then I'd hold up my hands and take it on the chin.

Saturday morning I pulled into a public car park at a local retail park, when I heard an almighty crack and scrape. I parked up and saw that right down the passenger side of the car was a gouge about 18 inches from the ground. I looked back at the entrance to the car park and saw the following: I went back to where I'd turned in to take a picture from the drivers perspective..... I've found the details of the security company who place and remove the barriers as it looks like they've simply neglected to take this one away. I've spoken to my insurers and will have to put it through my own insurance obviously but will have to pay £200 excess. My questions is, how can I go about claiming this back from the security company and down what path. My first approach will be a letter with the photos requesting they pay the excess, but not sure where to take it if they refuse, as expected. Any advice would be most welcome.

Just had a call from Surrey Police Camera people to say that they've reviewed the photo and that the reg plate was read incorrectly. Feel like a t**t for the panic, but when you see the police letterhead, your mouth just goes dry. Biggest relief is that it's not been cloned. Thanks for all the advice.

Understood. Thanks again, and I'll keep the thread updated in case it's of any help to others.

Thanks for the advice. They didn't send a photo unfortunately. If it is a clone, do you know if I'd report this locally to North Yorkshire Police or to the Surrey lot?

I've received a notice of intended prosecution from Surrey Police for doing 71 in a 60 zone in Puttenham, Surrey at 11.32. The problem is, I was 240 miles away decorating my daughter's bedroom, in York, with my dad. The car registration on the paperwork is mine. The car make (Seat) is correct. I have evidence of where I was 2 hours later in the form of a debit card payment and receipt (we took our girls to The Chocolate Story in York - well worth a visit in case you're wondering). I'm assuming that the reg has been entered manually, and incorrectly, and "the allegation is supported by means of photographic/recorded video evidence" according to the notice. So I'm confident it'll show a different car. Not sure what to do though or how to go about dealing with this. Can anyone offer any advice please.

Not going through my own insurers as the other driver accepted liability.

7 weeks ago, my wife (whilst driving my car ) was reversed into by a company (Skanska) van. The driver admitted responsibility, details were swapped and I duly called their insurers (AIG) on the monday to make a claim. AIG said that they would send forms for Skanska to fill out to admit this liability in writing. Couple of weeks later, I had a call from the driver asking for details of the road name as he was from out of the area. He needed it for the form. I've spoken since to AIG a couple of times for updates on the claim and they say they haven't received the form back. So I'm just wondering where I stand legally. Am I in a position to get the small amount of repair work done and claim against Skanska directly by going down the Prelim, LBA and Moneyclaim route, or would you approach this differently? Thanks in advance

Well, today I've received a letter from DG Solicitors telling me that the claim for charges, interest etc were rejected. They would, however, make an ex gratia payment which, as luck would have it, just happens to be for the amount I'm claiming. Who'd have thought it!! The new telly's out the window for now though. Not in a drug crazed rock star kind of way. My wife gave birth to our 2nd daughter a week ago, so the £900 will soon be swallowed up. It's certainly come at the right time! Thanks to you all.

I would certainly send them the letters they requested, but remind them of your timetable which you are sticking to. I still haven't heard from them, well over a month since they asked for 4 weeks extra consideration. Seems you're right about the buying time thing. So I've raised a claim on Moneyclaim, which they've already acknowledged. I'll keep you updated as to any progress. Hope they get their skates on and pay up though. Fancy a new telly in the January sales!

Hi Natz Please accept my apology for the delay in responding. Been laid up ill for a while (not bank charge stress related I might add!!). You certainly seem to be being treated in the same way I am. I receved a letter (2 months after the prelim landed in their in-tray) saying they need 4 weeks. I was in no rush, as the interest went up. 4 weeks is up today, so I'm filing on Moneyclaim when I've finished this reply. I would think that the bank can ask for you to repay the overdraft, simply because your claim for that money back has yet, in their "legal" eyes, to be deemed unlawful. That's looking at it from a purely black and white aspect, and of course that's just my view. It's not necessarily correct. Someone may want to add something to that??? Would it be possible to say that the amount is in dispute? In the way charges from say a DC might be tackled? With regard your LBA, I'd simply mention that the amount has risen to £** due to further unlawful fees having been charged. I'd put copies of their letters in with it, possibly saying that the whole amount is in dispute and that you will go to court to reclaim them. In other words, stick to your guns and don't deviate from the route to your goal. Once you go to the court route, any further charges will need seperate claims as I see it, but they'd probably pay up with a phone call. Hope this helps, and let me know if you need any more support or help. Good luck!! Chris

Thanks for all the input. Decided to file for warrant today and send in the bailiffs.

That's given me a bit of hope to be honest. I'm about to issue a warrant as well. There'll be nothing left for the bailiffs to take at this rate!!

I decided to ask the court the above question, and as the judgement was entered on 29th September and sent to American Express the same day, I can ask for a warrant to be issued anytime I want. Part of me is thinking that I should give them another 3 days to respond, but then part of me thinks that they've had, from the start, about 60 days to pay back just £60 in charges (which now currently stands at £113, and will rise to £138 when I issue a warrant). Any opinions whether I should give them yet more time, or just press on. Don't forget they've had over a month from the moment I filed on Moneyclaim, until I had judgement entered.