Coach driver clipped me. :( Options.

Defy Belief · 2 Feb 2014 at 14:36

So on Friday on my way to work, in stand still traffic my side. A coach came along in the opposite direction, needing to turn left into a lay-by, so he did the usual swing out and swing in method but clearly not using his mirrors and I have a nice bundle of scratches on the side of my rear bumper and rear quarter on my CTR.

Luckily no damage to the shape of the rear quarter.

He went down the lay-by and stopped luckily and asked me what the damage was, so I've got all their details and reported the incident to the coach company and I have to call them again tomorrow.

Anyone know what coach driver excesses are likely to be in general? It will probably only be about £250-£300 at the local bodyshop so might be easier for them to just pay for it privately than using their insurance which I imagine is pretty costly.

So frustrating on what is an almost immaculate example. :mad:

ci_newman · 2 Feb 2014 at 14:39

Damn

the coach company will only pay an excess to repair their vehicles.

Uriel · 2 Feb 2014 at 14:49

Even if you do go through their insurers, you will be entitled to choose a repairer. I would be inclined to go somewhere very reputable or else Honda approved.

If you do go Honda approved, they may well offer a courtesy car for free or nominal fee. That would limit any silly hire car costs provided by insurers or accident management companies.

pepsilol · 2 Feb 2014 at 15:24

Then it will come renewal time and insurers will ask whether you have been involved in any accident, fault or non fault.

Fuzz · 2 Feb 2014 at 15:34

The accident has happened, you legally have to tell the insurers that fact.
What happens with your renewal premium after that is pure luck.

Get the car to an approved bodyshop, get it repaired to YOUR satisfaction and move on with your life. It's too short to faff about trying to go under the radar and have a good outcome with a car repaired properly.
One way or another you will be either, out of pocket, have a poorly repaired car or both.

Scania · 2 Feb 2014 at 15:35

They are possibly "self insured" as my employers are I.e. the company pays any relevant claims, I think you'll find they are more than happy to pay you direct and not involve a 3rd party's insurers.
I may be wrong though!

Fuzz · 2 Feb 2014 at 15:46

Eddie Stobart has way too much money :eek:

unrealrocks · 2 Feb 2014 at 15:50

Fuzz said:
Eddie Stobart has way too much money

I think this is fairly standard for large companies - certainly the company I work isn't huge and still works this way.

lordrobs · 2 Feb 2014 at 16:09

Hopefully all will go smoothly.

My dad had a coach swipe down the side of him at some roadworks but this guy kept on driving. He chased him down and finally got him to stop at a junction a few miles down the road. Details were swapped and he informed his insurance company. Fast forward a week and his insurance company said that the coach company were denying any incident had taken place. Surprisingly they changed their mind after he blocked the entrance to their yard and told them that as he was self employed he would be doing so until things were resolved. He went with the boss to his office and he made the phone call there and then. Shame it took that to get them to act though.

That incident must have been getting on for 15 years ago now

Scania · 2 Feb 2014 at 16:20

Fuzz said:
Eddie Stobart has way too much money

Imagine the operating costs of 2,500+ HGV's and the insurance quote for such a fleet of vehicles.....

Hyburnate · 2 Feb 2014 at 16:27

Scania said:
Imagine the operating costs of 2,500+ HGV's and the insurance quote for such a fleet of vehicles.....

Yep, which also means they bring on new drivers. Heck they'll even pay for their licence. Most companies wont take on <25 year olds because of so called 'insurance problems'

Defy Belief · 2 Feb 2014 at 17:28

It's a family run business as when I rang them to report the initial incident a lady answered, I told her what I was calling for and she said I'll just put you on to my husband! So it's almost definitely going to be an insurance job. Just praying I don't get shafted at renewal time cause of some plank not knowing the width of the coach they drive, everyday.

I used to work for Admiral (Who I'm insured with) so that will hopefully help at least lowering a potential big premium hike.

dale1uk · 2 Feb 2014 at 17:54

What colour CTR is it? If its milano red you're quite probably in for a whole world of pain getting a good match

Defy Belief · 2 Feb 2014 at 18:19

It's a cosmic grey so shouldn't be too bad.

blueboy2001 · 2 Feb 2014 at 21:03

I had an accident with a coach a few years ago. Coach pulled out of a T junction to my left into the fairly narrow road as a van directly in front of me was turning left, I could see it coming, stopped, hit the horn but he kept coming and clipped the offside corner of my car, scuffing the bumper and some minor damage to the front wing. Damage was about £250 worth.

We exchanged details and I called the coach company, spoke to the owner who was the most abnoxious **** I've ever come across in my life. A few days later I get a visit from the Police because the coach driver has reported it as an accident he was injured in!

When liability was disputed I paid for the repairs myself because I didn't want the wing to rust, and pursued them through my legal cover. The claims management company (Albany Assistance) spent 18 months sending me pathetic documents from the third party insurers about why it wasn't their fault and suggesting various settlements.

The best one was what I am certain was a fabricated witness statement allegedly from a school child who was on the coach (I don't recall seeing any passengers) that stated they saw my car coming at a speed of 40-50mph (road is 30mph with loads of hazards, and slow traffic, no chance) and I drove into the side of the coach. Legal cover suggested on that basis I should settle 50-50. I wrote back to them and told them I wanted it referring to a proper solicitors, and to write to the third party stating that the witness statement isn't worth the paper it's written on, I had right of way, he's proceeded across a give way line when it was not safe to do so in accordance with the Road Traffic Act, and if they wish to force the issue about their witness statement, what is their response to the question that if a child on a coach, sat further back than the driver and with less view, managed to see my car for long enough to form a judgement of speed, then why did the driver proceed across the give way line?

The penny dropped at that point and I got my money back, with interest.

If I were you, and you can afford it, get 2 quotes for the repairs and send them with a letter to the coach company stating you want payment within 14 days. If they don't pay, just take them to the small claims court. I wouldn't waste my time with a claims management company again, they're not interested unless there's an injury involved because there's no money in it for them.