3rd party's car insurers (Swiftcover) disputing independent valuation

[kraygerson]

Hello all,

 

A few weeks back my car was rear-ended while I was stationary in a line of traffic. The other party accepted full liability without hesitation.

 

My car was deemed a category 'D' write-off and initially valued at a figure I deemed unacceptably low.

 

The valuation came in on a Friday afternoon and by midday Monday I had been in contact with the assessing engineer. I sent him several adverts for cars genuinely comparable to my own in terms of age, mileage, etc and he revised the valuation.

 

Last Friday I received a cheque for the lesser amount from the third party's insurers - Swiftcover. I immediately queried this with my inurer's claims handlers. The feeling was that somehow the original report with the lesser valuation must have been sent to Swiftcover - an error.

 

This week it transpires that Swiftcover are actually disputing the independent assessor's valuation. The basis of their argument is their own Glass's guide valuation and that they would have placed a higher salvage value on my car. In essence they are saying 'We think it is worth this much and are paying no more'.

 

My insurer's claims handlers will pursue them and at this stage are obtaining evidence from the assessing engineer.

 

Have any of you ever come across a case like this? It strikes me as outrageously cheeky!

[unclebulgaria67]

Happens all the time. Not unique to Swiftcover.

 

Just keep going and eventually there will be a compromise.

 

My experience of write off settlements, is that you don't get the value you are looking for until you have been back a couple of times. They will at some point dig their heels in and then you will have to decide whether it is worth still pursuing.

[kraygerson]

Thanks for the reply. Love the username, by the way. (Tobermory sends his regards!)

 

To be honest, I'm not keen on compromise. They didn't inspect the car and have had ample time to voice concerns over the valuation. They never did so. It took me querying the figure on the cheque to bring any of this to light.

 

I am told they would not be able to do this if they were members of the ABI - which they are not.

 

I'm hoping they're just trying it on, as the saying goes.

Edited July 8, 2010 by kraygerson

[dajackel12]

Hi mate

 

I'm having a similar issue, but with Admiral, Did you get any further with this issue with the company then?

[kraygerson]

Hi,

 

The matter is currently being pursued by the claim management company I have dealt with from the off; Broker Assistance.

 

I will be chasing them up this week and will post updates as soon as there is news.

 

Good luck with yours - these insurance companies take the proverbial.