Insurance excess

[Proberts]

I've had my van a yr and couple of days now. The day after I picked my van up from VW ( brand new ) a car bumped the van while I was in the house. He gave me his insurance details while wiping a tear from his eye apologising profusely and I went ahead with the claim. I phoned VW insurance as it was the drive away insurance and a few weeks later, it was back at VW Swansea having the repair done. After it was completed, I went down to pick it up and was told I had to pay the £400 excess and when the other party insurance pays out, I will get the £400 back.
Well, nearly a year later, after numerous phone calls to VW insurance, I still haven't had my £400 back. Any ideas of what I can do to get it back please ?

 

[Dellmassive]

Did you have legal cover as part of your insurance?

Those guys are normally a 3rd party firm.

Maybe call your insurance legal team and ask for advice.

 

[oldiebut goodie]

With things like that I prefer to do everything in writing - phone calls tend to have no record so that when you come to complain there is no proof available.
Had this with my electrickery supplier earlier this year, I had copies of all my correspondence to back up my eventual complaint to the Ombudsman.

In this case I would contact the other guys insurer direct rather than wait on VW getting their act together. ( You may find that they have paid up and it is VW dragging their heels )

 

[Bigsidavies]

The cynic in me thinks that VW probably have it and drag their feet in the hope you’ll forget about it.
However, the last bump I had-maybe 18 years ago-I got my excess back after maybe a couple of years. I’d totally forgotten about it so it was a nice surprise.

 

[Proberts]

Thanks for the replies. I have contacted VW ins numerous times and it's been the same reply. Waiting for the third party to pay out. They always say they have to give them 2 weeks to reply and if not, they will take it further lol. I always say that's what you said last time and they reply by saying we'll get in touch with them again.

 

[archersam]

Thanks for the replies. I have contacted VW ins numerous times and it's been the same reply. Waiting for the third party to pay out. They always say they have to give them 2 weeks to reply and if not, they will take it further lol. I always say that's what you said last time and they reply by saying we'll get in touch with them again.

Few options:
- Call them, tell them you'd like to make a complaint. That will start a nice new process for them.
- Call the other insurance company to see what the real situation is.
- If you want to be a real PITA then issue a claim against the other insurer OR the driver - £50 which you may get back.

Make a court claim for money

How to take legal action if someone owes you money (small claims court), how much it costs, what happens next. Includes information from withdrawn guidance EX303, EX304, EX306, EX321, EX325 and EX350.

www.gov.uk