zimguy

Hi All

Can anyone confirm if it is normal that you should have to pay your insurance excess even if the accident was blatantly the other party's fault ?

BMW insurance have instructed me to pay the excess and they "may" refund it later, could take up to a year, if and only if the other party's insurer admits full liability.

Am having a hard time getting my head around why I should be out of pocket whilst the other person who caused the accident gets off scott-free.

Have been on company car insurance for years in the UK so I am clueless about this and dont feel qualified to argue it with BMW insurance.

Cheers

Zim

boltoa

Yes, this is normal. Have you got "legal protection" as part of your cover? If so, this provides a free solicitor to chase the other party for losses, including your excess (+ hire car if needed, etc), and they'll work much harder to prove liability than your insurance company. Even if you've got legal cover on your house insurance or any other insurance, you may be able to use this - doesn't necessarily have to be linked to car policy.

Note for yanks. "Excess" = "Deductible" (I think)

zimguy

Thanks boltoa

Yep, have the legal protection, will give that a try, thanks for the advice.

This really pee's me off to be honest

Thanks again

swajames

It is. As a Limey living in the US, I can confirm this to be correct

zimguy

Its still on going. Legal protection people wont do anything until the 3rd party's insurer has been granted a "reasonable" amount of time to put their case/admission forward....and apparently "reasonable" means anything up to 6 months.

So I am out of pocket for 6 months minimum for some other fools mistake..oh well