Just crashed my GTi!

[snakehips]

Driving along minding my own business when a car coming the other way decided to pull out to overtake only 50 yards away from me. I had nowhere to go and we hit pretty much head on. Amazingly I staggered away with no more than cuts and bruises to the arms but my beloved is a write-off. But shows how well built the Golf is that I could walk away - the other driver's car disintegrated and the poor man had to be taken away in an ambulance. What a star the Golf is!!!! I reckon it just saved my life.

Anyway, has anyone gone through post-crash dealings with insurance companies etc? Never had an accident before so don't know what to expect.
I have fully comp insurance with GAP, and witnesses who left their names at the scene, stating that it was the other driver's fault.
I need a hire car immediately and of course need to buy a new car, but how long will I typically have to wait before I get the insurance cash to get another car?

Any advice appreciated,
Snakey

[Jimp]

Sorry to hear about the GTI  Good to hear you weren't hurt though  5 star safety rating 

[HasH]

Driving along minding my own business when a car coming the other way decided to pull out to overtake only 50 yards away from me. I had nowhere to go and we hit pretty much head on. Amazingly I staggered away with no more than cuts and bruises to the arms but my beloved is a write-off. But shows how well built the Golf is that I could walk away - the other driver's car disintegrated and the poor man had to be taken away in an ambulance. What a star the Golf is!!!! I reckon it just saved my life.

Anyway, has anyone gone through post-crash dealings with insurance companies etc? Never had an accident before so don't know what to expect.
I have fully comp insurance with GAP, and witnesses who left their names at the scene, stating that it was the other driver's fault.
I need a hire car immediately and of course need to buy a new car, but how long will I typically have to wait before I get the insurance cash to get another car?

Any advice appreciated,
Snakey

rule number one...do not trust the third party. i have been stitched up on two occasions. the first when an old fella hit me in his 1960 Ford model T. in no way was it my fault, i was stationary and he came onto my side of the road head on in my mk4 golf. he accepted responsibilty at the scene then when it was all going through denied it & it ended up a 50/50 split, loosing me 3 years no claims.

and the second i hit a van in heavy traffic...a minor bump, it wasnt even enough to crack plastic headlights on the mk4 astra i was driving & there was no visable damage to the van. a hair line scratch if anything. the bloke was out of the car like lightning. i asked if he was ok he said he was fine & dandy. next thing i get is a letter for £10,000 whiplash claim. tosser

anyway, rant over.

the pay out will all come down to how quick they can decide who was at fault, from what you have described it's blatently his fault and you have witnesses so it should be pretty sharpish. i had a payout within 2 weeks before! im sure youll have the cheque in no time

good to hear your alright btw

[jaydubveedub]

Glad to hear you walked away from it. There are some idiot drivers out there.

If you are insured with Admiral then I suspect they will d1ck you around and try to fleece you.

Good news is that you have GAP insurance. However, the insurance company will offer you a stupidly low valuation/pay out at first and although your GAP policy will make up the difference you should still squeeze them for as much extra cash as possible.

[snakehips]

Thanks Guys. I am indeed with Admiral so thanks for the warning!

[sambo]

Doesn't matter who you are insured with as you will be claiming off the third parties insurance!?

You could quite easily file a claim for personal injury, but if you don't you may be able to use that as a good way of getting a reasonable price for the car? You can get a hire car staraight away and all costs will be claimed back off there insurance, your insurance should offer you there legal advise and sort it all out I would imagine.

Start collecting examples of similar cars so you have something to base the valuation on from autotrader/pistonheads etc

Hope it get's sorted easily, can't see there being much arguement involved if the accident happened on your side if the road?

Sam

[Jay]

Sorry to hear, if he admits it's his fault to his insurance co. then it will be quite quick in getting this resolved. Expect it to be at least a month if he admits fault.

and yes, claim off HIS insurance - not yours.

[Martz]

www.kindertons.co.uk

They will sort it for you mate.

[snakehips]

www.kindertons.co.uk

They will sort it for you mate.

Have you used them? How do they make money from the deal?

[JonnyG]

Good to hear you are OK ... sounds like a big impact and remember some injuries can take a while to show up (bruising / soreness / whiplash etc.) so don't tell the other insurance you are fully OK just yet. 

My advise would be to keep a written record of all the details, witnesses contact details etc.

Have you got legal protection cover with Admiral ?   If not there are 3rd party companies that could deal with the claim if Admiral don't.

Because it is clear cut that the other chap is to blame, you can claim back all reasonable costs that you incur whilst waiting for a payout / new car.  Keep a record of any time off work etc. dealing with the claim.  Whoever deals with your claim against the 3rd party should be able to sort out a hire car (like for like in size etc) very quickly, and get it delivered to your address.

Because the 3rd parties insurance will be paying for your car hire and all other associated expenses, they will probably try and sort the claim out fairly quickly if it is clear cut.  Make sure you also tell your GAP insurers and read the small print,  as they may want to handle/negotiate the value of the payout for your car (to make sure they are'nt paying over the odds for the GAP)

Hope all goes well 

How old was your car by the way ?   as you may come out of this £££'s up with the GAP insurance