EARLY REPORTING INITIATIVE – THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY
SCENARIO 1 – PREFERRED (THE GOOD)
Insured drove into rear of third party vehicle. The driver completed a Scene of Accident Information Form, submitted a claim on The Specialist Risk Group Claims App and provided these to third party who signs for receipt, providing information on mitigation of loss and the offer of a free replacement vehicle if the Insurer agrees the third party is innocent and a replacement car is necessary. Incident reported within 24 hours. Third Party Pro Activity initiated immediately. Contact made with innocent party who accepts Insurer’s offer to manage the vehicle repair and provide replacement vehicle.
Representation
Third party had no need for Third Party representation as they were contacted quickly by Insurer before seeking representation.
Credit Hire / Repair
Both avoided. Early Third Party Pro Activity has allowed Insurer absolute control of the repair cost, duration of repair and alternative vehicle provision whether by providing courtesy car (preferred) or equivalent vehicle for duration.
Personal Injury
Whilst the Third Party indicated a small niggle from being hit in rear, medical attention not sought and has decided not to seek advice in view of the early contact by insurer and provision of vehicle repairs and replacement vehicle.
COSTS INVOLVED AND OUR COMMENTS
Cost minimised
Repairs: £2850 + VAT
Duration: 10 working days
Replacement vehicle: No direct cost as courtesy car accepted
Personal Injury: No claim as Third Party satisfied with fast and efficient service
Cost of representation: Avoided
Total: £2,850 + VAT = Best Fit
SCENARIO 2 – SOME RESISTANCE (THE NOT SO GOOD)
Same incident BUT incident not reported to Insurer for 15 days. However, Scene of Accident Information Form was completed by driver and provided to Third Party who signs for receipt.
Representation
Too late for Insurer to act proactively. Third Party obtains representation through broker with Credit Hire Organisation (CHO). CHO acts quickly and provides 1st advice of claim to Insurer on day 2.
Credit Hire / Repair
Claims presented for credit hire and credit repair. As Third Party proved their innocence the credit repair and credit hire processes start immediately. Period of hire, cost of hire and cost of repair considered excessive.
However: Opportunity to resist credit hire as Scene of Accident Information Form exchanged.
Personal Injury
Broker also recommends a solicitor to pursue a Personal Injury (PI) claim even though Third Party unsure about claiming. Solicitor then quick to act. Solicitor maximises the claim potential and instructs regularly used orthopaedic surgeon.
COSTS INVOLVED AND OUR COMMENTS:
Cost considerably higher BUT some success on cost reduction
Repairs: £3,250 + VAT
Duration: 18 working days. Allegation by CHO of delay in provision of replacement parts. (Common occurrence!)
Replacement Vehicle: CHO submits claim for 23 days at £232 per day + VAT for BMW. Total £5,336 + VAT BUT in view of the precedent of TNT – v – Steadman we successfully reject the credit hire claim. Cost: NIL
Personal Injury: £2850. Claim for whiplash (18-month recovery)
Cost of representation: £2250 + VAT Solicitors costs
Total: £8,350 + VAT = A reluctant 2nd best
Almost a 300% increase on Scenario 1 above for same incident!
SCENARIO 3 – NO REAL RESISTANCE (THE BAD)
Same incident BUT incident not reported to Insurer for 15 days and Scene of Accident Information Form NOT completed by driver and provided to Third Party.
Therefore, Third Party not provided with ANY advice on mitigation of loss, direction on alternative vehicle hire (no answer on liability).
Representation
Too late for Insurer to act proactively.
Third Party obtains representation through broker with Credit Hire Organisation (CHO). CHO acts quickly and provides 1st advice of claim to Insurer on day 2.
Credit Hire / Repair
Claims presented for credit hire and credit repair. As Third Party proved their innocence the credit repair and credit hire processes start immediately. Period of hire, cost of hire and cost of repair considered excessive.
NO opportunity to resist credit hire or credit repair as Scene of Accident Information Form NOT exchanged at scene of accident.
Personal Injury
Broker also recommends a solicitor to pursue a Personal Injury (PI) claim even though Third Party unsure about claiming. Solicitor then quick to act. Solicitor maximises the claim potential and instructs regularly used orthopaedic surgeon.
COSTS INVOLVED AND OUR COMMENTS:
Cost much higher and NO success on Third Party claims cost reduction
Repairs: £3,250 + VAT
Duration: 18 working days. Allegation by CHO of delay in provision of replacement parts (a common occurrence!)
Replacement Vehicle: CHO submits claim for 23 days at £232 per day + VAT for BMW
Total £5,336 + VAT and NO opportunity to resist credit hire as presented in accordance with GTA rules and NO opportunity to make reference to the precedent of TNT – v – Steadman
Cannot successfully reject the credit hire claim. Cost : £5336 + VAT
Personal Injury: £2850. Claim for whiplash (18 month recovery)
Cost of representation: £2250 + VAT Solicitors costs
Total: £13,686 + VAT = A poor 3rd
A 480% increase on Scenario 1 above for same incident!
SCENARIO 4 – DISASTER! (THE UGLY)
Same incident BUT incident not reported to Insurer for 25 days and Scene of Accident Information Form NOT completed by driver and provided to Third Party. Also, insured driver attempts to deny blame in the full knowledge that he IS to blame which comes out in the investigation and evidence compiling process.
Therefore, Third Party not provided with ANY advice on mitigation of loss or any direction on alternative vehicle hire. In addition, it takes 3 months to fully investigate and determine liability and all the time the credit hire clock is ticking and the Third Party is under no pressure to return the vehicle as there is no cost implication.
Representation
Too late for Insurer to act proactively. Third Party obtains representation through broker and Credit Hire Organisation (CHO) acts quickly and provides 1st advice of claim on day 2.
Credit Hire / Repair
Claims presented for credit hire and credit repair. As Third Party proved innocence the repair and hire processes start immediately. Period of hire, cost of hire and cost of repair considered excessive.
NO opportunity to resist credit hire as Scene of Accident Information Form NOT exchanged AND period of hire extensive due to liability investigations.
Personal Injury
Broker also recommends a solicitor to pursue a Personal Injury (PI) claim even though Third Party unsure about claiming. Solicitor is quick to act. Solicitor maximises the claim potential and instructs regularly used orthopaedic surgeon.
COSTS INVOLVED AND OUR COMMENTS:
Cost VERY much higher, NO success on Third Party claims cost reduction AND period of hire out of all proportion
Repairs: £3,250 + VAT
Duration: 90 working days in view of policyholder’s liability dispute which turned out to be unfounded but took 3 months to investigate to establish the evidence
Replacement Vehicle: CHO submits claim for 90 days at £232.00 per day + VAT for BMW as liability investigations necessary. NO opportunity to resist extreme credit hire as presented in accordance with GTA rules and NO opportunity to make reference to the precedent of TNT – v – Steadman and cannot reject the credit hire claim. Cost: £20,880 + VAT
Personal Injury: £2850 claim for whiplash (18 month recovery)
Cost of representation: £2250 + VAT Solicitors costs
Total: £29,230 + VAT = An awful result!
A 1,025 % increase on Scenario 1 above for incident!
WE ARE HERE TO HELP
The longer your taxi is off the road, the longer you are out of business. If you need to make a claim, you want to be confident that experienced professionals are handling it as quickly and thoroughly as possible, helping to minimise costs where possible.
Find out more about our multi-award-winning claims management service here.