car insurance claims

[focusjc85]

14 months ago I was involved in car accidents that ended up going to court 3 weeks ago and I won. The Judge rule it was the other person fault and since then I haven't heard much or get a proper answer from my insurance company. I wanted to know when I will get my no claims back and my money? Has anyone been in this situation and if so how long did it take for you to get money back?

[harryt]

Your no claims will be reinstated from the point of claim, if you had to pay for your renewal based on a higher rate due to the claim not being settled then you should have a refund backdated to that point, they will calculate it on todays rates though, 1 - being with the accident and 2 being without the accident. The difference should be refunded back to you./
If your insurance company confirms this, then a cheque is normally released within 10 days.

[focusjc85]

Hi harryt. Do I have to wait for her to pay in full to get my excess back?

[harryt]

You should get your x's back as soon as the claim goes in your favour.
I work for an insurance company and to be honest sometimes unless you chase these things they can be a little slow on giving your money back!
Give them a call and send them a letter asking when you will get your NCB reinstated and refunded back to renewal oh and your x's money!
They take your money quickly but are a little more hesitant about giving it back!

[focusjc85]

Thanks harryt you are very helpful. Just one last question.
When it went to court she defended herself and I am not 100% sure she has insurance. she said that she would need time to pay the money back personally, and I am a bit nerves I have to wait until she has paid in full to the court or who ever gets it to then I get my money and no claims back.
Do I have to wait for her to pay in full or is this between her and the insurance company? As every time I have phoned no one has given me the same answer and after 14 months I don�t have the energy.

They have told me I get things back when the case is close, and it gets closed when she pays in full. Then I was told I get it back when the solicitors inform them I have won.

I don�t know who to believe anymore.

[harryt]

I would say that you ahve to wait for her to pay it in full, as she could technically stop paying, and the insurance company would still have had to pay out.
Do you know how much that she has to pay back?

[JB]

Sorry if this is not what you want to hear, but worst case scenario.....If the driver was uninsured, then the majority of insurers will not reinstate your no claims bonus until their outlay has been fully recouped, regardless of blame. Some insurers (I think DirectLine is one) have recently advertised that you will not have to pay your excess in the event of an accident with an uninsured driver, but this is the exception rather than the rule. Your excess is an uninsured loss, and not something that you can generally claim back from your own insurer. If nothing else, you deserve to be provided with the correct information from your insurers, so call them again, ask to speak to a manager (or failing that the complaints department) and make sure that you are told of the procedures going forward. Good luck!

[focusjc85]

hi harryt thanks I though that was it, she has to pay just short of 2500.00 although the damages to the car was far less.

Thanks JB also I shall use both your information to get to the bottom of this though I am guessing this will be a lengthy process.

[harryt]

The only thing that i would be worried about is your insurance companies legal fees if the case went to court, she may not have to pay those back, therefore your insurers may have still had to pay out on some aspect of the claim.
Good luck