Insurance nightmare!

[Lil26]

Over a month ago now I was forced to break suddenly because a van infront of me had emergency stopped to avoid hitting a coach. The car behind me failed to break in time and hit the back of me.

I got all of her details, mobile no., name, reg, insurance info. She admitted at the time it was her fault; that she hadnt been concentrating.

My nightmare is that the lady owner of the car that hit me is ignoring all contact from her insurance company, so because there has been no admission of liability I have to pay my (huge) excess and am carless for over a week while it gets fixed as I'm not covered for a courtesy car.

Aparently they have 90 days to admit liability. But what happens when this 90 days is up and they still haven't admitted to the incident? Does it go to court? Will I ever get my excess back?

Any suggestions or advice on where I stand would be gratefully received.

Thanks

[anniebird]

I was in a similar situation a few years ago. At the time of the accident I wrote out a statement saying that it was the other drivers fault, got him to sign it before we both left the scene and kept it. This solved the problem. I know it is too late for you but would be worth trying if you find yourself in the same situation in the future. For your present problem i am afraid I have no advice to offer. Hope you get it sorted soon.

[NORMANTHEDOG]

why are you worrying,let the insurance company sort it out,in the end you will get all your money back.if she does not reply,her insurance company will pay out.

[JB]

90 days is the period of time in which the insurers have to make their investigations without the threat of early litigation (Woolf reforms) After the 90 days are up, your insurers (or indeed your uninsured loss recovery company) can issue proceedings against the lady who caused the accident. These cases rarely actually get to court, as it makes economic sense for the insurers to settle beforehand, but do make sure that any of your out of pocket expenses are included - this would include your excess, loss of use of your own car/cost of hiring a car whilst yours was off the road, loss of earnings, injuries etc.