compensation Car Insurance

[tcc65]

My sister was recently a passenger involved in a car accident. Her friend the driver was clearly at fault. Two days after the accident a claims manager turned up at my sisters house out of the blue and offered her compensation for the accident( minor whiplash) . Up until this point my sister had not considered this and had certainly not mentioned it to the driver.
It all sounds too easy no proof of injury, no G.P or medical exam ......nothing just my sisters word for it and he offered �300-�500 said they could send a cheque within 7 days no futher questions.............So what is going on this seems very odd to me , has anyone else had a similar experience, is this normal practice for insurance companies

[Ethel]

That is very odd indeed - what was the name of this company?

If they are prepared to pay out �500 just like that they must be intending to claim a lot more from the driver's insurance who will, naturally, require all sorts of medical reports and so on.

[Bazile]

Yes , that is very strange, indeed .

Are you sure you weren't acosted by someone from a company touting for business , when you have been out and about - which you have forgotten about ?

[Bazile]

As for the � 300 to � 500 - are you sure he didn't say those figures are what you could expect to compensated ?

[SIMPLEBILL]

hi, this is obviously a new approach by the insurance companies to come directly to your door.
they usually send a letter offering compensation quite early because its in their interest to do so.
if your sister is to claim compensation privately , then it would not cost her a penny to do so, and depending on how long her symptoms of whiplash last for, she could get anything from �800 to �2250, and also all her expenses paid for (providing she keeps all her receipts).
this is why they want her to accept the offer of �300-�500 at an early stage and settle the claim.
i know this, as i work for a claims management company who specialise in personal injury for passengers who are not at fault.
i hope i have made it easy for you to understand what is happening here, and would be more than willing to assist and help you.
p.s this is not a sales pitch, i am happy to advise you if you need.

[tcc65]

Thank you for all your replies , Simplebill seems to have explained what is going on very well.......thank you.

In response to other replies the insurance company represents the driver, my sisters friend. The driver had given my sisters address to them we were not aware of this until the claims manager turned up at out door. We asked for I.D and they had the drivers details and the other passengers details and knew about the accident etc.

Simplebill, yes it all makes sense now, they were very keen to agree a figure there and then but as it seemed so odd at the time my sister asked for time to think about it . There were two other passengers in the car and they have been approached in exactly the same way.

[puddicat]

I am in the middle of a claim, and i was offered �1000 to forgo, but my back and neck are still sore, will have to see a ortho surgeon first!!!