si said:
Thanx for your speedy reply Martin.
I have just spoken to the guy at fault and he has requested that I get a
quote for the repair, he is willing to pay without involving any insurance
company because it will apparently shoot his premiums through the roof (he
is a taxi driver apparently).
Would you advise on this or should I play it safe and claim through my
insurance company? I get a loan car through my insurance which would be
needed as I need my car for my business.
Tricky - and JB has offered sound advice.
There's nothing to be gained by stuffing the guy (even if he is a cabby!)
but you need to know (a) that your repair will be to a high standard - i.e.
he doesn't get to insist you use "his mate" in a shed round the corner, and
(b) a relief car can be expensive, and so it may be reasonable for him to
provide this (cabbies are very well connected for this kind of thing!)
providing its suitable, reliable and insured for your business as well as
private use (can you see yourself in a fat 1980s diesel Merc for a few
days?!) (If you only need transport to and from work each day, maybe he'll
drive you! Or could you use the GF's car
)
I think I'd be inclined to be open with him about your concerns (standard of
repair, unable to collect Vectra until repair bill paid etc) and see if he
can offer adequate reassurances. And I'd certainly get a quote, as he
suggests, to be sure cabby realises how much these things can cost these
days. He may be shocked.
Do you use an insurance broker? If so, this is where they can be really
helpful - talk to them. But if you insure direct, I see no reason for not
phoning your own insurers (strictly, you are obliged to tell them anyway,
even if no claim is made) without giving identity of 3rd party, to explain
that he wants to pay "privately", and how should you protect your position?
They may be quite helpful - especially if you get someone brighter than a
call centre operator.
You won't be able to get a spare car on your policy unless you put a formal
claim to them - at which point the cabby is facing big costs (assuming full
recovery) and will prob be better off claiming on his own insurance too. (I
assume you are certain he is properly insured...?)
In the ultimate, you really do need to protect your own position (and that
almost certainly includes keeping your insurers informed) - so if you can do
this while giving cabby the cheaper option, then fine. BTW, I've often
found cabbies tend not to get a heavy loading after an insurance claim -
they prob do 100kmpa and get claims often enough to have no NCB. But your
taxi driver may be different.
Keep making notes (timed and dated) of how this progresses, who says what to
whom etc.) just in case.
Sorry this is a bit waffley and not the most helpful answer in the world,
but protecting your position is more important than being "reasonable" with
the taxi driver - and sadly some people's promises aren't worth the paper
they're not written on...
