My van is a write off...........apparently!

[Sasquatch]

Sounds to me like theyre yanking your chain in the hope you will give up.

I'd serve small claims papers on them and let them explain to a district judge how you're supposed to provide evidence of something you never received, ie, 3 days of work that did not happen? Id also add a table of charges for every email and letter you send while chasing this up.

 

[Chippie1]

Okay gents......quick update. My van is now back on DVLA website!! However, the guilty insurance company now want me to prove that I did indeed lose 3 days work.....they want to see invoices. I understand they want some sort of evidence.......I could be a scammer......but I'm not!! Now call me old fashioned but I invoice my customers AFTER I have done the work.......not before! How the f*ck am I supposed to evidence lost work??? I've sent a photo of my business bank account card so that they can at least see I am a sole trader. Lost for words at these idiots!

Jokers! Have you any confirmation of jobs ie excepted quotations? They know invoices our served after a job is complete and as said above they know this and know it’s hard to prove and probs hope you will give up Ba**ards

 

[Bargy62]

@mopardave surly you can prove you could not drive you van between these 2 letter dates as per DLVA orders only you know the correct dates and prove your self employed and use the van for work and can you prove you contacted the customer at the time of a start date text/email can not see how they can argue with these facts and it was their F**k up that caused it



The DVLA letter said it is not to be driven on the public road and taken to a disposal centre!! After holding for 45 minutes, the girl I spoke to this afternoon very helpfully said "You can appeal"! I said "appeal what"?? Aviva have no record of an accident. I just know this is going to be stressful. If I get stopped by the Police, technically, I believe they can seize it and probably crush it!! I've never had anything like this to deal with before so I'm not dealing with it very well.......I'm f*cking furious!! I just hope my "case worker" at DVLA has some sense tomorrow!! I think I should print off my road tax acknowledgement and my insurance details and keep them with me........if I dare venture out!! And all those w*nkers driving about with no licence/insurance/road tax.......I'm boiling!!

Right gents.........thank you all for your input!
I just got off the phone to DVLA in Swansea. I spoke to a really great lad called Paul. He said he knew that within 5 seconds of me opening my mouth, he knew I was genuine! Here's what he said......and it's one to remember:
It is becoming more and more common that insurance companies are sending the wrong vin!!! It just takes one wrong character and this is what happens. He confirmed my suspicion that the "event" had taken place prior to August last year. That is when I'd have received my road tax reminder for September.......but life being life, I didn't get a reminder and never taxed my van!! I never got my reminder because my van had been declared a write off (Aviva are in the clear)!! Fast forward to 3 weeks ago.......I get pinged by a DVLA ANPR vehicle! So, there's me, driving around like a mong with no tax for 9 months!! Paul at DVLA said I'm fine to use the van.....keep the letter in the van so that if I'm stopped by the five-0, they'll be able to see it's an "active investigation". So, like the decent citizen I am, I'm going to pay the tax I missed.......which is optional but I don't want to risk a fine if all the dots get joined up.....because it was a genuine error that was initiated by some f*ckwit at an insurance company who sent the wrong vin.......MY f*cking vin!! Aside from the stress and my tea (Chinese!!) that went in the bin last night, the final kick in the nuts is that it's cost me a days pay too!! I'll keep you posted but it's now under investigation.
Gents.....you've been warned!
Thanks again for all the support!

 

[ChestnutBrown]

Send them invoices for jobs you have actually done and tell them that this is what you’re expecting to be compensated for. Tell them you’re giving them 5 working days to respond before you go via the small claims court. Then stick to your guns and go the whole hog.

 

[Paynewright]

Also, the front line minions have very little latitude for what they can offer. Escalate!

 

[Rich20]

They are trying their luck hoping you will give up by making it impossible for you to provide the evidence they want. They are the party that have caused you a lot of stress and inconvenience so maybe ask them to prove that didn’t loose 3 days work. They won’t be able to!

 

[JumpShip]

Frickin jokers ....next they'll be wanting you to prove that stress was caused and they're hoping they can shrug the whole lot off .
Do like Chestnut said above

 

[Velosaurus]

You can provide invoices from before and after the lost time which confirm your day rate which is what they are asking you to confirm. There is also the time spent taking advice on top of that. There is also the stress caused, but not sure how you calculate and monetise that.

You can prove the period of time you couldn't drive your van and thus could not work through the various communications you had. If you didnt keep a log I recommend you make a note of which individual you spoke to, the date and time and the outcome, whilst it is still fresh.

For you this was a frustrating and emotional experience. For the offending insurer its just part of their job to deal with claims and they are following a process to critically examine it before any settlement is agreed or paid. I always think in these situations its best to go "cold fish" and work their process to play them at their own game.

For ultimatums and escalation I would have a really good read through the advice on money saving expert website. If you dont get it right it could void your claim.

Hope you get recompense for has obviously been a really stressful time.

 

[Sasquatch]

This is an unusual story, the sort that...

[email protected]

...might enjoy hearing about.

May as well have some fun at their expense, and it might prompt some action.

 

[Velosaurus]

If you didnt keep a log I recommend you make a note of which individual you spoke to, the date and time and the outcome, whilst it is still fresh.

Sorry just to add a thought had whilst walking the dog - on having a record of events this thread is a good aide memoir should you chose to create and maintain one

 

[mopardave]

So they really are jerking me around now gents! They are insisting I provide evidence of my lost earnings.......not sure how I'm meant to do that! I'm spending even more time on this justifying MY position.......despite the fact that they've admitted liability! I suspect this one is going to the press! On a different tack.........anyone suggest any decent grease guns? Tried a hilka from screwfix......garbage but I suppose you get what you pay for!! Also, can anyone recommend a good quality high speed bearing lithium grease. I've been using Lucas red n tacky on my gardening equipment but it's not available here any more. Apologies for the thread drift!!

 

[Sackmycook]

If you can get in touch with a Road Policing Officer from your local force, they can put what's known as a DVLA Correction Marker on the Police National Computer which will sit there till its sorted. It shows that there is a 'doubt' on the record held for the vehicle and stops any potential seizure or other action.

I'd ring 101, get a job number and ask for it to be allocated to RPG

 

[Bargy62]

Have you not got a txt or email to said customer at time of don't drive the van
Arranging a start date and possibly the next customer with a start date thus giving X amount of days at customer 1

 

[The Flying Scotsman]

So they really are jerking me around now gents! They are insisting I provide evidence of my lost earnings.......not sure how I'm meant to do that! I'm spending even more time on this justifying MY position.......despite the fact that they've admitted liability! I suspect this one is going to the press! On a different tack.........anyone suggest any decent grease guns? Tried a hilka from screwfix......garbage but I suppose you get what you pay for!! Also, can anyone recommend a good quality high speed bearing lithium grease. I've been using Lucas red n tacky on my gardening equipment but it's not available here any more. Apologies for the thread drift!!

I’d go to the papers and take them court.
These big companies think they can do what they like to the little people.

 

[Bargy62]

I’d go to the papers and take them court.
These big companies think they can do what they like to the little people.

I agree with what you say about big companies but personally I couldn't be bothered for a few hundred quid and all the aggro that goes with it and all the stress

 

[Sasquatch]

I'd stop dealing with them directly.

Letter by recorded delivery detailing the claim and giving two weeks to agree to settle, else you'll submit it to small claims track or the county court. Enclose a cop of the completed form to show you are serious.

Don't argue with them, don't run about after them, give them the deadline and stick to it.

 

[JOG]

Ok, it’s time to hit the “Pause” button! My advice would be that you step back, marshall your thoughts and devise your strategy. You are dealing with professional grade blockers, finger pointers and obfuscating tactics! From your perspective, they have engaged sufficiently for you to be able to demonstrate that they recognise their part in the whole saga. However, now they seek to control the narrative (eg when asking for evidence of lost earnings!)

This isn’t just about lost earnings. You were forbidden from taking your van on the road; it was at risk of being crushed - these were direct matters you had to spent time, effort and money to return you to the position you should have been in. Then there are the indirect and consequential matters - loss of earnings. (“Show me the invoices” is complete and utter BS!) Could you work? Could you collect materials? Could you travel to see potential jobs and quote on them? Could you undertake social or domestic travel etc?

So, spend a few minutes detailing the issue. Set out the timeline including DVLA and Police engagement. (That includes the hours on hold waiting to get through…..that’s billable lost time too!) Then get some professional advice on how the matter is put right.

However, if you start engaging with their slow-drip water torture, they will make mincemeat of you.

 

[mopardave]

Ok, it’s time to hit the “Pause” button! My advice would be that you step back, marshall your thoughts and devise your strategy. You are dealing with professional grade blockers, finger pointers and obfuscating tactics! From your perspective, they have engaged sufficiently for you to be able to demonstrate that they recognise their part in the whole saga. However, now they seek to control the narrative (eg when asking for evidence of lost earnings!)

This isn’t just about lost earnings. You were forbidden from taking your van on the road; it was at risk of being crushed - these were direct matters you had to spent time, effort and money to return you to the position you should have been in. Then there are the indirect and consequential matters - loss of earnings. (“Show me the invoices” is complete and utter BS!) Could you work? Could you collect materials? Could you travel to see potential jobs and quote on them? Could you undertake social or domestic travel etc?

So, spend a few minutes detailing the issue. Set out the timeline including DVLA and Police engagement. (That includes the hours on hold waiting to get through…..that’s billable lost time too!) Then get some professional advice on how the matter is put right.

However, if you start engaging with their slow-drip water torture, they will make mincemeat of you.

Makes perfect sense. I had considered telling them it's up to them now to make me an offer or I'll contact a consumer watch dog or just put it in the hands of a solicitor!

 

[mopardave]

I agree with what you say about big companies but personally I couldn't be bothered for a few hundred quid and all the aggro that goes with it and all the stress

I understand what you're saying but that's precisely what they want me to do.

 

[CAB]

So they really are jerking me around now gents! They are insisting I provide evidence of my lost earnings.......not sure how I'm meant to do that! I'm spending even more time on this justifying MY position.......despite the fact that they've admitted liability! I suspect this one is going to the press! On a different tack.........anyone suggest any decent grease guns? Tried a hilka from screwfix......garbage but I suppose you get what you pay for!! Also, can anyone recommend a good quality high speed bearing lithium grease. I've been using Lucas red n tacky on my gardening equipment but it's not available here any more. Apologies for the thread drift!!

As said before, you have evidence that you could not use the van.

Annual income/turnover divided by working days is the lost earnings.

Any extra time taken to sort this is calculated in the same way.