Hi all,
My friend was involved in a fault accident writing off his car.
His insurers made him an offer which he rejected as there was nothing on Auto Trader similar for that amount. The offer was around £500 short of what would be considered a fair offer. £3300 when £3750-£4000 would get him a like for like replacement. Plus an additional fee to have his dual controls installed in a new vehicle.
His insurers said he had to put his rejection and justification in a letter along with his current MOT and V5.
He wrote a clear letter rejecting their offer. Proposing what he thought it was worth with evidence from Auto Trader and quotes for dual controls installation (driving instructor with "specialist insurance").
He explicitly wrote that he has included his V5 as requested but this is by no means acceptance of the insurers offer and therefore the V5 has not been signed.
He has already had to hassle his insurers at every stage and passed from pillar to post. He sent the letter recorded so knew it had been received and finally spoke to somebody almost a week after this letter was received.
The lady on the phone said she had just dealt with his case and a cheque was in the post. He queried this asking if the letter had been read which she said yes.
She said they are sending a cheque for £3300 and the V5 back as require his signature.
The lady said they would send a further cheque at a later stage for additional compensation to "save time".
He questioned how this process would save time which was met with an aggressive non-answer from the lady.
He asked to speak to the valuers directly which was not possible at this time.
He finished the call by saying he will not be cashing the cheque or returning the v5 until speaking with the valuers.
I think this stinks? If he cashes the cheque and sends the v5 back he won't be getting another penny out of them. How are they able to operate like this?
How would you proceed in this matter?
TIA.
My friend was involved in a fault accident writing off his car.
His insurers made him an offer which he rejected as there was nothing on Auto Trader similar for that amount. The offer was around £500 short of what would be considered a fair offer. £3300 when £3750-£4000 would get him a like for like replacement. Plus an additional fee to have his dual controls installed in a new vehicle.
His insurers said he had to put his rejection and justification in a letter along with his current MOT and V5.
He wrote a clear letter rejecting their offer. Proposing what he thought it was worth with evidence from Auto Trader and quotes for dual controls installation (driving instructor with "specialist insurance").
He explicitly wrote that he has included his V5 as requested but this is by no means acceptance of the insurers offer and therefore the V5 has not been signed.
He has already had to hassle his insurers at every stage and passed from pillar to post. He sent the letter recorded so knew it had been received and finally spoke to somebody almost a week after this letter was received.
The lady on the phone said she had just dealt with his case and a cheque was in the post. He queried this asking if the letter had been read which she said yes.
She said they are sending a cheque for £3300 and the V5 back as require his signature.
The lady said they would send a further cheque at a later stage for additional compensation to "save time".
He questioned how this process would save time which was met with an aggressive non-answer from the lady.
He asked to speak to the valuers directly which was not possible at this time.
He finished the call by saying he will not be cashing the cheque or returning the v5 until speaking with the valuers.
I think this stinks? If he cashes the cheque and sends the v5 back he won't be getting another penny out of them. How are they able to operate like this?
How would you proceed in this matter?
TIA.
