Insurance Company offering compensation for shortfallings - How much should we settle for?

[unhappy ex tennant]

Short version: Had a non-fault accident 12 months ago, garage/insurance communication has been really poor and led to various delays and hickups, insurance is now returning the car fixed and is offering compensation and is certain we will be able to settle the matter without the financial ombudsman needing to become involved.Long version:

 

Bit of a weird one this. Basically had a car drive into the back of us nearly 12 months ago. Car is a classic car insured on a classic policy.The rear required straightening out, a few bits replacing and re-finishing. The garage the insurance took the car to painted the rear in 2-pack paint materials, while the rest of the car is finished in cellulose.

 

As this was a non-fault claim, I was unhappy that it was not returned to it's original condition, ie all painted in cellulose. The garage then sub contracted out to a firm that 'specialise' in classics. They painted it in cellulose and while the finish was very good, it was the wrong colour.

 

By a mile. Car was sent back to garage as we were not happy and the garage agreed it was not a good match.I expressed our concern to our insurance company who after a few emails back and forth, agreed to refinish the entire car in 2 pack paint materials (also, after it had been returned to us for me to remedy some bodywork issues on the front of the car).

 

At this point we were were happy something was being done and we'd be getting it back in near showroom condition. We'd been without the car for a while already (and no courtesy car) so it looked like we were approaching a satisfactory conclusion.

 

The garage were told each time we contacted them to not use our landline as we don't use it, it's purely there for the broadband but obviously insurance insisted on a landline number when we signed up. Mobile number given each time, but they still kept trying us on the landline number (apparently).What had happened was the insurance had purely fobbed us off with the promise of the respray and the garage had not been instructed to do anything of the sort.

 

They had redone it again in cellulose and were now happy with the match. We were still expecting them to contact us regarding returning of the car for me to work on it to return it for the full respray.Garage were a bit rude about the car being in their way and wanted us to pay to have it recovered as it was out of their remit now.

 

Complaints went back and forth to insurance with delays of up to a month between replies from them. Eventually looked up what we were meant to do if they weren't playing ball and found out they were overseen by another big company.

 

Complained to them, waited a couple of weeks and then got a reply and promise of return of our car and compensation for our trouble.As far as I'm concerned, the car has been out of action for 12 months, while insured, the MOT and tax have ticked away and expired now, there's a good chance the tyres will have flat spots and will require replacing, clutch/brake hydraulics may require attention due to being sat, engine may need attention due to not being started. Fortunately we had another 2 cars anyway, but that may not have been the case.What sort of figure should we be expecting/pushing for?Thanks!

 

Edit: Ah! Forum is losing my formatting for some strange reason. Apologies.

Edited March 16, 2012 by citizenB
formatted for easier reading

[unhappy ex tennant]

Due to that being really difficult to read, pastebin link that's a fair bit easier on the eye:http://pastebin.com/XeM29czg

[citizenB]

You need to add an extra carriage return in some programmes

 

Done it for you..

[unhappy ex tennant]

You need to add an extra carriage return in some programmes

 

Done it for you..

 

Ah! Thank you. I did try in FF and IE, but both were the same. Might be my work's firewall.

[citizenB]

I guess you need to factor in the inconvenience this has caused you along with any time spent trying to resolve the issue.

 

If this went to court (and you were acting on your own behalf) you would be able to reclaim..£18.00 an hour as Litigant in Person.

 

Add on a bit for any stress caused.

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

This is what I would do.

 

However, I am sure there will be lots of advice coming your way.. now your post is easier to read.. so hold fire for a while.

 

[unclebulgaria67]

I would think it would have been reasonable to expect the car to be repaired and returned in pre-accident condition within say 2 months. It is a classic car, so more specialised work may have been required.

 

On this basis, I think you should outline and cost the amount of compensation that you think is reasonable to expect. Send these details to the claims manager of the Insurers and advise them that you may decide to enter into litigation, if they are unable to resolve to your satisfaction.

[citizenB]

What are the Insurance company offering ?

[unhappy ex tennant]

Thanks to all for the advice! The bit I'm having trouble with is putting a price on inconvenience. Like even how many zeroes is a reasonable figure? Insurance haven't offered an amount yet, just trying to be a little bit prepared for when they actually come up with a number. At the minute they're concentrating on delivering the vehicle back and us being happy with the repair.

[citizenB]

Ah right.. so no offer yet.

[unhappy ex tennant]

Ah right.. so no offer yet.

 

Not yet, just the complaints person dealing with it has indicated that the matter of compensation will be discussed after we're back in possession and happy with the work. He has confirmed that there will at least be some compensation though.