Insurance Nightmare

Guest · Feb 22, 2005

Looking for advice.

I was recently on the receiving end of some idiot going through a red light.
I suffered front end damege, although not severe, thankfully.

The problem is, as a result of the accident the passenger door will not unlock and the alarm subsequently does not operate.

The insurance company, Norwich Union, are saying that the problem is not a result of the accident and that it must have been like it before. They are refusing to have the part replaced or even investigated.

I have repeatedly told them that the unit was functioning correctly prior to the accident, which it was, but their engineer does not see it that way and I am sure they think I am trying to pull a fast one.

Does anyone know if this or something similar has happened before? If so, what was the outcome?

Does anyone know where I stand legally?

I am not prepared to take delivery of the car until they have resolved the fault.

Thanks for listening[

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Mark_Bennett · Feb 22, 2005

I had a 6 month battle with NU, they will try every trick possible.
Took them to the Ombusdman. I won.

I can't say how bad I feel about them[:'(]

Guest · Feb 22, 2005

That sounds really unfair.

It is always the honest people that seem to loose out.

I would stick with it.[

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Rotorhead · Feb 22, 2005

I'd take the car to my Porsche dealer, explain the problem and ask for their opinion.

If they say it was caused by the accident, then ask them to put it in writing and to carry out the repair. Then include this in a claim for your uninsured losses from the third party's insurers.

If they say it is unrelated to the accident, well you'll need it fixing anyway.

alex.powell · Feb 22, 2005

I would go straight to a solicitor and set them on the insurance company - have done it in the past, works a treat...

Michael Downing · Feb 22, 2005

Are NU your insurers or the third party insurers? Your complaint is with the third party - so even if your insurer does not pay up you can still go for the third party. After all, it is meant to be their policy which pays out in the end.

The advice to get a written report from the OPC is good - this is tantamount to an expert opinion and will be needed anyway if you go against the third party. It might also bring NU to heel - and I would claim the OPC bill as a related expense.

Guest · Feb 23, 2005

Finally spoke to the NU engineer today and he has said he will authorise an investigation and fight after that. He basically says that as there was no impact to the passenger door, the unit failure would not be part of the claim. The real problem here, is that the lock is stuck in the locked position and it is a real job to get the dorr opened and the lock out etc. Chisels have been mentioned[

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To answer some of your questions.

NU is my insurance company, mores the pity.

Solicitor is the way forward if all else fails

Hopefully, before it gets that far, I can get it sorted.

Keep you posted

Thanks
bruce