Many thanks to everyone who replied in this thread. I just recieved a letter from DL today informing me that the 3rd party insurance have accepted liability. Obviously I'm over the moon with this. Cheers, Brandon.

I've just recieved a letter from DL today; "we must advise that from the circumstances presented it is unlikely that we will make a successful claim against the owner of the other vehicle." So it is looking like I may need to sue the TP directly. When I spoke with DL they did say it would take a few weeks to get a response from the TPs' insurers, so I'll wait on that before progressing futher.

The car was a 1991 J reg. The owner, whilst blonde, is far from airheaded, works in an Architects office, and comes across and both professional and competent. And I think, despite its age, the car was well maintained. I have pictures, but only after the incident.

Thank you again for all the replies. The other car was an J reg Nova, the owner in her late twenties, I'm afriad I don't understand what you mean by style in this instance.

Direct lines Libility department just called me. They've just restated that the claim will have to be on my insurance, as there was no negligence on behalf of the other car owner that caused the fire. So i lose my no claims and the excess (which over the 2 years it will take to get my no-claims back will probably be more than the value of the car). They have submitted a claim to the other insurers but have advised that this will probably be rejected. I do have legal protection as part of my cover. Does this then mean that DL will sue the 3rd party as part of this? And finally, assuming the car is written off (still can't get a response from them on this) I assume that I still have to pay off the remain amout of the policy. I think I can put the replacement car onto the policy instead, is that true? But if they are not willing to insure me on the replacement car, there is no way to claim back the remaining policy moneys? Reason I'm asking that is that I had previously looked at changing the car, but the one I wanted they were not willing to insure me on until I'd been driving two years, though other insurers were willing to quote. Cheers,

Thank you for taking the time to reply. If I have to sue the other policy holder would any reward come from their insurers or their own pocket? I know the owner of the vehicle personally and I would feel quite bad about sueing them if they are not covered by insurance. I've got my other halves 206 I can borrow, but if my car is a write off then I'll go and buy another one. But does this mean I'd be paying 2 lots of insurance, 1 for the existing policy, and another for the new car?

I've never had to submit any insurance claims before so I'm a little confused by the whole process. At the weekend I was in Sheffield visiting some friends. We returned from a night out to find the Fire Brigade putting out a fire on the car I'd parked next to. That car was totally destroyed and the firemen said it appeared to be due to faulty electrics. My car, because is was parked so close, has damaged to both the driver side doors (paint and all the plastic trip), lost the drivers window, burnt the front wing, one of the wipers, some of the plastic trim around the windscreen, some of the plastic trim inside and melted part of the steering wheel. When I called my Direct Line on sunday, they said I wouldn't be able to claim against the other cars insurance and I'd lose my no-claims and have to pay the excess. The other car owners thought it would be paid by her insurance. Anyway I drove the car home on sunday evening and spoke to my insurance again on Monday. They've taken my car away for assessment, and took the details for the other car and owner. Will I lose my no-claims for this, will I have to pay the excess. What normally happens to my car. Its not worth much (1998 mondeo), and any idea how long it would normally take to either return it repaired or pay our if its to be written off. I'm meant to be driving on on a camping holiday in a couple of weeks time. Many thanks.