Motor car accident- fault admitted by other party- legal advice

Nephew's girlfriend involved in small accident- was parked stationery on local road in residential area. Driver exiting from an entrance adjacent crashed into back of his car.

Full admission of liability by other driver's insurer.

She is off work for few days with 'whiplash', as advised by doctor.

She had purchased 'ClaimSafe-Ireland's Accident Management Company' as an additional extra with her own policy - Claimsafe, 36 Jubilee Road, Newtownards, Co. Down (claimsafe-accman dot com)

They phoned her and advised they would arrange a solicitor to ring her to advise. When they phoned, it appears was to become engaged as her solicitor and to process an Injuries Board claim - very fast!

Should she know how much all this will cost, before the solicitor acts for her?

I see from google that there are a number of similar type companies- What do these 'accident management' companies actually do?

Their are a number of these companies in operation. Their MO is generally to take the hassle out of processing a claim, claiming back on rental fees etc for a client. Of course there's no such thing as a free lunch so they make their money by the legal fees they receive from insurance companies (your nephews GF won't have to pay them per se). There is no onus on her to use one of their solicitors, indeed there's no onus on her to use a solicitor at all. If the claim is clear cut and the 3rd party accepts responsibility she can claim directly through the PIAB which will remove the solicitor's costs, which will mean she could get a bigger pay out (if she puts through a personal injury claim).

car fix

how does the insurer calculate damage- quote from repairer- anything included for devalue of car if repairs to bodywork?

Contact the other sides insurer and see if they have received a report from their insured. Ask them have they a list of repairers acceptable to them. You can bring it there and have an estimate done. Contact the insurer and ask them can they send out an assessor. If you could meet back at the repairers premises with the car the two of them can go through the estimate and agree on it. Normally the insurer pays the repairer when you sign off that the job is done to your satisfaction. If your car is relatively new you may be entitled to a % of the damage for depreciation. You may be entitled to car hire and you would want to agree this with the insurance company involved. Different insurance companies may have different rules. Before you get any repairs done make sure that the Insurance company is accepting liability

Dermot said:

Contact the other sides insurer and see if they have received a report from their insured. Ask them have they a list of repairers acceptable to them.

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as the injured party, you have the right to have the repairs done where you choose. The other person's insurer has no say in it.

I accept that you have the legal right to have the repairs done where you choose. I was just making the point that where you could get a repairer that was on the insurance list of approved repairers that it generally makes for a smoother operation. If you choose to go to a repairer not on the insurance list you will have to pay your repairer yourself and then send the bill to the insurance company for them to pay you. Not many workshops will give you credit today.

Solicitor fee

Thank you kindly for response. Appears the Claimsafe cover will actually pay the appointed solicitor fees- not sure if this is correct?

Also, can you please explain terms quoted in reply- and I will be more than happy to refer comments to the injured party.

car rental- while awaiting insurer/ assessor to agree damage

Girl has now hired car as damaged lights were not working at night- told her to email insurer. They replied saying that, as solicitor nominated, they would take instructions only from same.

Will the car hire be allowed- as likely to take another 1 or 2 weeks, for agreement and then works to be carried out