Motor High quote for car repair

L

LDFerguson

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A friend was involved in a car accident which he accepts was his fault. He has notified his insurance company and they're giving him the option of claiming or paying for the damage to the other car himself. He doesn't have NCB protection so would lose 50% NCB.

We're weighing up the relative cost of losing his NCB vs paying the claim himself.

The other party has come back with a repair quote which appears excessive and includes two days wages for himself as he's a taxi driver. We'd hate to think that the quote was being inflated because it's an "insurance job".

(1) What rights has my friend got to insist that the car is repaired at a garage chosen by himself, or at least that the car is presented for a quote at a garage chosen by him? (No garage will quote without seeing the car.)

(2) Is he obliged to pay the guy's wages?

Thanks in advance.
 
Hi Liam

Your friend can insist that a quote be done at a garage of his choosing.

In regard to the wages, the taxi driver is entitled to ask for this but it should be verifiable that those 2 days were working days and not just holidays or the individuals normal days off on a 5 day work week.

Of course if your friend decides to try and not pay the wages, the other driver may end up with a pain in his neck.... how long is a piece of string when it comes to accident claims....

In my opinion you should insist on the second quote but once the wages arent excessive I would be inclined to pay them. If your friend really feels hes dealing with a chancer then it may be best to take the hit on the NCB and chalk it up to experience.
 
Hi, first off if he is paying fir it out if his own poket he would be vest coming to an agreement with the TP as most insurers won't cover loss of earnings. As for the quote he can ask to have it looked at by a different garage for a second quote. Try to remember though, if he is taking this route he will have to come to an agreement with the TP and that could be difficult if he is insisting in being paid for loss of earnings. He is o obliged to pay for nothing but the damages if he does it without getting the insurers involved but also has no come back and it could still be expensive.

Hope this helps. Bear
 
you CANNOT insist on your chosen repairer giving a quote. The owner of the damaged car is free to decide who will repair his car. Your friend can insist that HIS assessor views the damage. If the assessor disagrees with the repairs, ie if there is parts/damage to be repaired that is not accident related, then you can argue the toss. If the parts are needed, then the owner is entitled to compensation IRRESPECTIVE of whether he repairs or not.

Of course the taxi driver is entitled to loss of wages for the duration of the repairs and any other days before repairs that car was off the road. He must make a living - who will pay him if culpable driver does not?
 
Ravima said:
you CANNOT insist on your chosen repairer giving a quote. The owner of the damaged car is free to decide who will repair his car. Your friend can insist that HIS assessor views the damage. If the assessor disagrees with the repairs, ie if there is parts/damage to be repaired that is not accident related, then you can argue the toss. If the parts are needed, then the owner is entitled to compensation IRRESPECTIVE of whether he repairs or not.

Of course the taxi driver is entitled to loss of wages for the duration of the repairs and any other days before repairs that car was off the road. He must make a living - who will pay him if culpable driver does not?
Click to expand...

+1

It seems strange that your friend wouldn't have some sort of no claims bonus protection, at least stepback, you should get them to double check. I wouldn't advise in paying out of their own pocket, the third party could come back and put through a personal injury claim at a later date and any money paid could be lost anyway. Also a lot of insurers will offer their own bonus after a claim (Allianz for example will reinstate a 5 yr NCB after a claim with another company once the amount is under €3000).


www.powerinsurances.ie
 
Save all the hassle and let your friend allow the claim to go through his insurance.

Hitting a taxi which is some man's bread and butter could turn out very expensive for you friend
 
Thanks for all the replies.

For the record, my friend tells me that he was changing lanes, when the taxi driver hit his car from behind. Both he and an independent witness are adamant that the taxi driver was sufficiently far back when he started the manoeuvre that (a) he wasn't paying attention or (b) he didn't want to stop. But his insurance company have told him that as my friend was the one changing lanes, it is almost invariably considered to be his fault.
 
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