What to try next?

[audi321]

Did you take out the legal protection with your insurance? I presume you have told your insurance company even though it's clearly not your fault?

This legal protection is designed to fight for you in this type of instance, you also get it with some bank accounts if you pay monthly, but not as good as the insurance version.

5 months is far too long for a settlement decision, hound them daily! Are they saying that the person who hit you wasn't at fault, or is there some issue with them being covered? (i.e. undisclosed bodykit, etc, etc) in which case you need to start legal proceedings against them individually.

As far as the loan goes, you might get car finance, but watch the rate, and more importantly, the early settlement charges, if you are planning on paying it off early when you get the payout from yours

[audi321]

Run yours until it dies, then rent a car from a long term rental company.

[bogwoppit]

Check your insurance contract. Surely if the car must be repaired then the insurance company have a duty to act, determinable liability or otherwise? I bet there is a limited time for decision, and if the car is undriveable possibly courtesy car cover.

[amirzed]

ring an accident management company and explain the case to them, they will probably be very happy to do a credit hire once they are satisfied that the other party is at fault and is insured, now normally i avoid accident management companies like the plague but in this instance I imagine it's exactly what they're made for...

e.g. Helphire, Brittania, Albany...

[Nano2nd]

amirzed said:

ring an accident management company and explain the case to them, they will probably be very happy to do a credit hire once they are satisfied that the other party is at fault and is insured, now normally i avoid accident management companies like the plague but in this instance I imagine it's exactly what they're made for...

e.g. Helphire, Brittania, Albany...

agreed, speak to Steve at www.europaconsultants.co.uk he might be able to help you out, fellow PH'er top bloke

[AndyAudi]

dazm said:

my car won't last another 2 months to allow me to save up! I don't want to get stuck with a 2 year finance deal with a ridiculous interest rate but i'm not sure i have any other options, hence this thread.

anybody else got a better idea what i can do?

If just a couple of months? Vehicle Auction or local free paper and get something with a short MOT.
Keeps you going and keeps your options open. Cost would likely be minimal.