Don't try to help Insurance companies!!!!

[potless chap]

In the middle of April last year my car was hit while on display at a car meet. The guy who drove into my car was sorry and admitted full liability. The next day I rang the local main dealer and asked to be put through to the body repair department.

 

I explained what had happened and was told that someone would contact me to sort everything out. Within the hour I recevied a call from what I assumed was the garage. The chap on the end of the phone took some details of my car asked if it was roadworthy,which it was not. He said that I would have a replacement hire car at my home address the next day.

 

The following day a car was delivered.That evening I sat down and read some of the paperwork left with the car.This car was £500 per day to hire!!!! I was unable to contact anyone over the next four days due to Easter holidays. On the Tuesday I rang the guy who hit me insurance company and told them about this car and the cost of it.

 

I then explained to them that I was able to source a similar standard of car from a garage in the village I live in for £125 per day.The insurance company agreed to this and confirmed this in an email. I cancelled the first hire car and started to hire the second. At the end of July I was doing a charity event with my make of car for a childrens hopice. I rang the insurance company and explained the situation. They supplied me with a hire car of the same make and model for that weekend,they also rembursed most of what I had paid out on car hire up to that date.

 

It took their assessors three months to come and look at my car. It was agreed that a new nosecone was required. I have been paying out for the hire car for the last five months[a now eye watering amount of money]. I have been in contact with the insurance company recently regarding payment of my costs and they have started to fob me off with excuses.One of them being that my car is fit to drive!!!! The car is still in the same unroadworthy state as it was before.[part of the damage to the nosecone has made it impossible to fix the indicator or sidelight to the car] They even mentioned could I try sticky tape to fix it on!!!!! The car is quite bespoke and I am lead to belive by the bodyshop that we are on the final leg in regard to obtaining the parts.

 

My question is what can I do about recovering my money????? Your thoughts and sugestions will be greatly appreciated!! Sorry for the long story and spelling mistakes

Edited January 9, 2015 by citizenB
formatting for easier reading

[heliosuk]

I think it would be prudent to declare what car it is and perhaps a photo of the damage as the difference between un roadworthy and road worthy is very subjective. Personally I can see a big struggle with this looming and you need to read the terms and conditions of the policy. Unless explicitly authorised by your or the third parties insurance company in writing you are liable for every action you take. From the way you describe the damage so far I think you might be on a sticky wicket as it is perfectly acceptable to make temporary repairs prior to a full permanent repair.