Advised by insurers my car is safe to drive after being hit
Discussion
Hi all,
My vehicle was stationary in traffic when hit from behind by an HGV.(2weeks ago)
When reporting this to my insurance company I was told that my car is safe to drive. I then spoke to my regular mechanic who advised me not to drive the car until structural integrity was assessed by an engineer.
Who is right? Should I drive the vehicle?
My insurers will only provide a cover vehicle (extra £20 paid) once a decision has been made as to write off or repair. I was advised on the 22/04 that I would hear back from them within 3-5 working days....still heard nothing. Apparently the engineer is on holiday!
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
My vehicle was stationary in traffic when hit from behind by an HGV.(2weeks ago)
When reporting this to my insurance company I was told that my car is safe to drive. I then spoke to my regular mechanic who advised me not to drive the car until structural integrity was assessed by an engineer.
Who is right? Should I drive the vehicle?
My insurers will only provide a cover vehicle (extra £20 paid) once a decision has been made as to write off or repair. I was advised on the 22/04 that I would hear back from them within 3-5 working days....still heard nothing. Apparently the engineer is on holiday!
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
From my insurance days the questions were usually only to determine whether it was legal to drive away from the scene , I.E are there sharp edges, are all the lights working, are all the wheels turning and straight etc
The questions won’t have had anything to do with the overall structural integrity
The questions won’t have had anything to do with the overall structural integrity
HustleRussell said:
Nobody can even speculate without seeing the car. We have no idea how bad the damage is.
Does the bootlid still open and close? do all the rear lights still work, including the number plate lights?
Does the car feel any different to drive? sound any different?
Thank you. The boot is operable as are the lights. Nothing hanging or sharp edges sticking out.Does the bootlid still open and close? do all the rear lights still work, including the number plate lights?
Does the car feel any different to drive? sound any different?
The car feels floaty on the back end, the exhaust is noisy too.
joropug said:
From my insurance days the questions were usually only to determine whether it was legal to drive away from the scene , I.E are there sharp edges, are all the lights working, are all the wheels turning and straight etc
The questions won’t have had anything to do with the overall structural integrity
Thank you. I am apprehensive to drive it in case something happens due to the structural integrity being possibly compromised. 😔The questions won’t have had anything to do with the overall structural integrity
CathyA said:
HustleRussell said:
Nobody can even speculate without seeing the car. We have no idea how bad the damage is.
Does the bootlid still open and close? do all the rear lights still work, including the number plate lights?
Does the car feel any different to drive? sound any different?
Thank you. The boot is operable as are the lights. Nothing hanging or sharp edges sticking out.Does the bootlid still open and close? do all the rear lights still work, including the number plate lights?
Does the car feel any different to drive? sound any different?
The car feels floaty on the back end, the exhaust is noisy too.
I am not sure what guarantees your insurer makes with regard to collection / repair times but it does not seem right that you should be without a courtesy car. I would ring them and pester them. Tell them that you believe the car is not safe for the reasons you gave above, you will not drive it, and find out what the insurance company are obliged to do in this scenario.
Unfortunately all insurance companies are not created equal so you can only hold them to what you have agreed to in the policy documents. FYI some big insurers like Liverpool Victoria and Direct Line guarantee to process your car and repair within a matter of one or two weeks! You are getting a raw deal here and are well within your rights to make a noise about it.
Finally be aware that you are not at fault by the sounds of it? don't admit fault / liability at any time obviously. If fault is accepted by the HGV driver's insurer you can avoid paying your policy excess altogether.
Carbon Sasquatch said:
Take it for an MOT ?
Whilst clearly not a full structural inspection, they should pick up anything obvious and are clearly independent.
Sorry, disagree, that is £40-55 the OP just shouldn't need to spend. This is a non-fault accident and the insurer should've collected the car and delivered a courtesy car by now (if they are obliged / have guaranteed to do so). Whilst clearly not a full structural inspection, they should pick up anything obvious and are clearly independent.
OP can threaten to get an accident management company involved who will procure them a like-for-like courtesy car within a day or so.
OP's insurance company, or Third Party (HGV driver) insurance company need a kick up the arse.
HustleRussell said:
Sorry, disagree, that is £40-55 the OP just shouldn't need to spend. This is a non-fault accident and the insurer should've collected the car and delivered a courtesy car by now (if they are obliged / have guaranteed to do so).
OP can threaten to get an accident management company involved who will procure them a like-for-like courtesy car within a day or so.
OP's insurance company, or Third Party (HGV driver) insurance company need a kick up the arse.
As HustleRussell said, this is extra expense you shouldn't have to meet. OP can threaten to get an accident management company involved who will procure them a like-for-like courtesy car within a day or so.
OP's insurance company, or Third Party (HGV driver) insurance company need a kick up the arse.
If you were hit from behind by a HGV then it's probable that you were not at fault and therefore shouldn't have to pay anything. (Note 'probable' - I'm not saying for sure). However your posts thus far suggest that you have only been in touch with your own insurance company. You should certainly be in touch with the insurance company of the HGV driver to explain your situation. Telling them the circumstances and explaining that your car feels as it does should have them delivering you a courtesy car pretty swiftly.
(Note: I am not an insurance expert, don't take any of this as anything other than worthless advice from an anonymous person on the internet.)
Carbon Sasquatch said:
Take it for an MOT ?
Whilst clearly not a full structural inspection, they should pick up anything obvious and are clearly independent.
I knew 2 people who were rear ended, 1 Renault and 1 Ford, neither had a mark on them and doors/boot/hatch all worked ok, try to get the spare out was a different matter; doubt a mot would find thatWhilst clearly not a full structural inspection, they should pick up anything obvious and are clearly independent.
I had a mirror taken off by a passing tractor. Insurance company asked me if I was happy to drive it until it was collected for repair. I said not really as it wasn't strictly legal (I have previously been stopped and fined for a broken rear light that had happened earlier that day, so a bit wary). They had a courtesy car out later the same day.
I'd day neither were right.
To be rear ended by an HGV and yet the boot opens fine and the lights are intact would suggest a fairly minimal impact, ie I'd be very surprised if it had done any damage to the rear suspension.
Structural damage at the rear can be as little as a dented rear panel, ie the welded in section of the shell behind the soft and squishy plastic bumper. Structural damage could also be the shell bent so much the doors no longer open.
So as far as the insurers saying it's ok to drive unseen, yes they could be correct based on your description but then your mechanic has seen it and has deemed it unsafe due to damage to the shell. Who is correct? Who knows, maybe both... or neither.
Can your mechanic put his name to a full report stating the car is unsafe to drive and that can be given to the insurers and used to then justify a hire car for the duration? If he suddenly takes an interest in his shoes at that point, then maybe he's being a bit overly dramatic.
Ultimately it's your call but I'd agree, call your insurers and state you have been advised the car isn't in a roadworthy condition and seek their advice. Unfortunately speculation on the internet won't provide the answer.
To be rear ended by an HGV and yet the boot opens fine and the lights are intact would suggest a fairly minimal impact, ie I'd be very surprised if it had done any damage to the rear suspension.
Structural damage at the rear can be as little as a dented rear panel, ie the welded in section of the shell behind the soft and squishy plastic bumper. Structural damage could also be the shell bent so much the doors no longer open.
So as far as the insurers saying it's ok to drive unseen, yes they could be correct based on your description but then your mechanic has seen it and has deemed it unsafe due to damage to the shell. Who is correct? Who knows, maybe both... or neither.
Can your mechanic put his name to a full report stating the car is unsafe to drive and that can be given to the insurers and used to then justify a hire car for the duration? If he suddenly takes an interest in his shoes at that point, then maybe he's being a bit overly dramatic.
Ultimately it's your call but I'd agree, call your insurers and state you have been advised the car isn't in a roadworthy condition and seek their advice. Unfortunately speculation on the internet won't provide the answer.
Davie said:
So as far as the insurers saying it's ok to drive unseen, yes they could be correct based on your description but then your mechanic has seen it and has deemed it unsafe due to damage to the shell. Who is correct? Who knows, maybe both... or neither.
It’s not clear to me that the mechanic has seen it in person either.CathyA said:
Hi all,
My vehicle was stationary in traffic when hit from behind by an HGV.(2weeks ago)
When reporting this to my insurance company I was told that my car is safe to drive. I then spoke to my regular mechanic who advised me not to drive the car until structural integrity was assessed by an engineer.
Who is right? Should I drive the vehicle?
My insurers will only provide a cover vehicle (extra £20 paid) once a decision has been made as to write off or repair. I was advised on the 22/04 that I would hear back from them within 3-5 working days....still heard nothing. Apparently the engineer is on holiday!
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
What have you been driving since the prang two weeks ago?My vehicle was stationary in traffic when hit from behind by an HGV.(2weeks ago)
When reporting this to my insurance company I was told that my car is safe to drive. I then spoke to my regular mechanic who advised me not to drive the car until structural integrity was assessed by an engineer.
Who is right? Should I drive the vehicle?
My insurers will only provide a cover vehicle (extra £20 paid) once a decision has been made as to write off or repair. I was advised on the 22/04 that I would hear back from them within 3-5 working days....still heard nothing. Apparently the engineer is on holiday!
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff