Wife had an accident - some help please

[nst68]

My wife had an accident this morning, she was waiting at a roundabout and got hit from behind.
It was snowing and there was ice on the road.

She was able to drive the car home and I've looked at it and the rear bumper is cracked in a couple of places and has been pushed up.

She got onto the phone to the insurers and they got a repair company to call to arrange it to be picked and and repaired.
They can't do it until a week Wednesday (3rd).

I presume it's not a good idea to drive the car in the meantime, in case there's any damage I can't see?

The insurers also got a company to ring up to arrange for a hire car, problem is she only drives automatics and the hire people said it could take "7 to 10 days" to get an auto.
Not sure what to do, can we contact someone like HelpHire and see if they can arrange a car?

Also, the car is an X-reg, she's had it from new and is low mileage.
If it's only the bumper that needs replacing, but the insurers decide that it's not worth repairing and want to right it off, then what options do we have?
I doubt we'd get much back from them and would struggle to find something as reliable for the money.

 

[godinman]

Not sure how to help on the hire car, unless you are allowed to choose your own company?

As for damage you could always let them write it off, buy it off them cheap and get it fixed yourself.

 

[Lum]

Don't go through your own insurers.

Go through someone like Helphire, if only to reduce the risk of losing your NCB if the other guy's insurance don't pay up.

They should have no problem getting you an auto.

 

[The Mad Rapper]

Go through someone like Helphire, if only to reduce the risk of losing your NCB if the other guy's insurance don't pay up.

Are they a Claims Manager? How do they work? Are they worth using rather than deal with the matter yourself?

 

[( |-| |2 ][ $]

You shouldn't have reported it to your insurance company but that of the people's who crashed into her.

Now you'll lose your no claims until and if it's proven not to be your fault.
It's generally considered best not to involve your insurance company unless you have to.
I bet your premium goes up next year too.

I'd see no issue driving the car though, proving it drives straight and doesn't look like the rear axles / wheels are damaged.