Please help me with a car insurance claim letter i've recieved from Turnhamms?

Question

Hi,

My wife (named driver on my car insurance policy) was involved in a minor collision on the 03.03.08 with another car on a roundabout.

The collision came about due to swamped traffic on the roundabout pushing all the cars together and our car and their's touched each other.

My wife spoke with the driver of the other car, both agreed it was not really anyones fault and they exchanged business cards (but not insurance details).

Now, 6 months later, my wife has recieved a letter from Turnamms (Assessors partnership specialising in the recovery of uninsured losses) saying;

'our client has notified us that their vehicle was involved in an accident with a car driven by you on 04.03.08.

Our instructions indicate that you were responsible and we must therfore look to you in settlement of our clients losses.

Please send this letter to your insurers, notifying us in addition of their details within 7 days using the tear off slip.

We would remind you that failure to supply the above information is a criminal offence under section 154 of the road traffic act 1988.'

Now apart from the cheek of giving me 7 days after a six month gap I'd really like some advice on what to do.

There was no agreed fault and I don't know whether to just send the letter back to Turnhamms stating that fact or to do what they say and involve my insurance company?

Has anybody alse experienced something similar or in a postion to offer me advice?

Many thanks.

Answer 1

You and your wife and yahootie and mr magoo can agree it was or was not someones fault or wasn't any ones fault or all of their fault and it doesn't mean a thing.  Fault is only determined by insurance companies and/or police.  You have insurance, let them handle the letter you received.  Isn't that exactly what you bought insurance for?

Answer 2

You state the incident occurred 3/3/08, then the letter states 4/3/08.  Is this a typo?

Notify your insurance carrier.  This is what you pay them for.  If the dates are NOT a typo, then that may be an out as well.

Unless there is a police report, which I assume there is not, fault in this case is a he said/she said deal.

DO NOT IGNORE THAT LETTER.

Answer 3

It does not matter that the drivers agreed it was no ones fault.

The letter is a abrogation letter. The other person's insurance company paid for the damage to that person's car and is looking for reimbursement. The insurance company believes that the accident is your wife's fault. And  there really is no such thing as an accident were neither driver is at fault. Usually, there is something that at least 1 driver could have done (or not done) that would have prevented the accident from happening -- a proimate cause.

Call your insurance company and report the claim to them. Let them know about the subro letter. Your company will do their own investigation and determine who they think is at fault and proceed accordingly.  

Answer 4

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