Hi slapmiheed, very interested to read your thread. I know it was a long time ago but I am curious to know the outcome. I am in a similar situation (however I kept hold of the hire car from Drive Assist and kicked up one hell of a fuss with my broker The Post Office. Likewise Incident Management Solutions said my car was a "write off" (but they changed ownership and never wrote it off) but TPI refused to pay their ridiculously inflated repair costs. Drive Assist sent me a reduced amount from TPI after 8months of them battling it out and expected me to pay the garage directly for the repairs - for a car that didn't even belong to me anymore. I refused, saying I wanted ownership reinstating first. This didn't happen. Drive Assist paid the garage for the repairs and then "snatched back" their hire car. Hence I do not own or possess a vehicle or any total loss settlement. What a shower of ****.

Just something I would like to share at this point. If anyone experiences problems with the likes of DRIVE ASSIST - having been sold into their hands by their insurance brokers ie: Post Office, Marks & Spencer (and quite an endless list I think I saw on moneysupermarket.com) be very aware of the stance taken by The Ombudsman Service. The Ombudsman route is a very prolonged process and the level of competence is not necessarily what you might expect. They also have no jurisdiction over claims management companies. They do have jurisdiction over the brokers but in my case The Post Office wriggled out of any liability by simply saying that they had no call recordings at the time I informed them of my accident. This, it seems, was acceptable by the adjudicator dealing with my case. I am now awaiting a copy of the cd provided to him by DRIVE ASSIST that satisfies him that I was referred correctly by The Post Office - and therefore absolving them of any blame.

Thankyou for your responses, I am very grateful I did write a more detailed version last night but then right at the end I lost internet connection!! Anyway, today I had a telephone conversation with a solicitor who gave me free, sound advice and gave me the confidence to follow this thing through to the end without expense to myself. I know it all sounds a little cryptic at the moment but will certainly update this thread when things are a little clearer, if only to help anyone else who ever has to deal with these companies

Suing drive assist Will try to condense a rather complicated case with my Insurance Company. Took out insurance through the post office. Involved in non-fault accident. Was simply informing post office (as advised). They persuaded me that I should let them deal with all aspects of claim "in my best interests". Passed me on to Drive Assist. My vehicle sent to repairers and I was supplied with replacement. My car was deemed a "write off" though I disputed this as the nominated repairers told me that the estimate they submitted was in fact £1000 less than Drive Assist/Incident Management Solutions were quoting. However, they insisted it should be a write off and demanded my documents in return for total loss payment (another value I disputed). I was then informed by DVLA I was no longer registered keeper of my car. 8 months later, still in replacement car, still no payment. The third party insurers wouldnt pay the ridiculous repair costs nor the replacement car costs. Drive Assist just wanted to send me back my damaged vehicle (now not in my name) and wanted the replacement car back!! Third party agreed with Drive Assist to pay for repairs at the original lower cost. I agreed to this once ownership was reinstated. Ownership was never reinstated. "My" car was repaired and the replacement was "snatched back" from outside my home without my knowledge. No-one has reinstated ownership, the car is still at the garage (belonging to salvage agent) and I am without a vehicle. What's more - the vehicle was never even written off. They simply changed ownership (is this fraud?!). Do I sue them through the courts? No-one will even pay for the vehicle to be serviced and inspected after it has been standing for 11 months.