Hello all, I am in desperate need of any advice, and would be hugely grateful if anyone can help.
I recently had an RTA while commuting to work. My vehicle lost grip whilst going round a sleeping corner on a wet country road. I hit the oncoming traffic. The damage to both our cars is down the side, from the driver wings till the rear doors. Both cars were potential write offs.
The police attended the scene and gathered statements from both of us.
The issue lies in the fact that I had no valid insurance cover at the time of the accident. I had been trying to shop around for a reasonable quote, and after settling with a particular company, didn't manage to confirm new policy to start in time. My previous policy ran out on a Sunday, and I had contacted the new company to go ahead with the new policy to take over from my previous one. However I attempted to contact them on the Saturday before at 12:30pm but they had closed at 12pm.
Under the assumption that people have 7 days to arrange cover, I drove the car to work on Monday morning with the intention to contact the company and proceed with the new policy that morning. Unfortunately that morning was the same eventful morning that I had the accident with an expired policy.
I let both the police and the other party know the situation at the time of the accident. I was also advised by the other party not to worry as I should be covered by a 7 day grace period, which gives people a chance to settle renewal premium disputes etc.
Both vehicles were recovered by the police in order to clear the road as quick as possible. I have paid the recovery company their fees, and collected my damaged vehicle and currently breaking it for parts.
I have since received a letter from the police requesting my insurance documents showing cover at the time of the accident. I called them and explained the situation, and was told not to worry, if I provide my previous policy, and a brief cover letter, it would show that I was genuinely and actively seeking continuous insurance cover and had no intention to drive uninsured.
Obviously my previous insurer are denying any such thing as a '7 day grace period' and are refusing to cover anything. Claiming that they ended the cover on midnight Saturday as I had refused to go ahead with their renewal quote. The 'new' insurance company that I was intending to go with obviously want noting to do with the issue either.
I am now receiving correspondence from the third party insurance notifying me that they had contacted my previous insurer who confirmed that I had no valid policy with them at the time of the accident and therefore will not assist. The third party insurance has handed over the claim to Aviva claims management who notified me that they will be attempting to recoup their outlay from me personally. They have deemed the third party vehicle a total loss, and are threatening with legal action if I do not contact them immediately and settle.
In their letter, they are claiming that I swerved into the other car for unknown reasons and hit it head on. Its clear from both the cars that it wasn't head on, and I lost control due to the road conditions as confirmed by the police.
I do not know what to do, or who to turn to for advice. I cannot afford any legal fees, nor can I afford anything that the third party insurance will be looking to recoup from me. The car they wrote off was a brand new BMW 4 series.
I have now obtained another vehicle as I need it for work and the family, and it is insured adequately.
Could anyone please advise me on what to do or what my options would be.
Many thanks
I recently had an RTA while commuting to work. My vehicle lost grip whilst going round a sleeping corner on a wet country road. I hit the oncoming traffic. The damage to both our cars is down the side, from the driver wings till the rear doors. Both cars were potential write offs.
The police attended the scene and gathered statements from both of us.
The issue lies in the fact that I had no valid insurance cover at the time of the accident. I had been trying to shop around for a reasonable quote, and after settling with a particular company, didn't manage to confirm new policy to start in time. My previous policy ran out on a Sunday, and I had contacted the new company to go ahead with the new policy to take over from my previous one. However I attempted to contact them on the Saturday before at 12:30pm but they had closed at 12pm.
Under the assumption that people have 7 days to arrange cover, I drove the car to work on Monday morning with the intention to contact the company and proceed with the new policy that morning. Unfortunately that morning was the same eventful morning that I had the accident with an expired policy.
I let both the police and the other party know the situation at the time of the accident. I was also advised by the other party not to worry as I should be covered by a 7 day grace period, which gives people a chance to settle renewal premium disputes etc.
Both vehicles were recovered by the police in order to clear the road as quick as possible. I have paid the recovery company their fees, and collected my damaged vehicle and currently breaking it for parts.
I have since received a letter from the police requesting my insurance documents showing cover at the time of the accident. I called them and explained the situation, and was told not to worry, if I provide my previous policy, and a brief cover letter, it would show that I was genuinely and actively seeking continuous insurance cover and had no intention to drive uninsured.
Obviously my previous insurer are denying any such thing as a '7 day grace period' and are refusing to cover anything. Claiming that they ended the cover on midnight Saturday as I had refused to go ahead with their renewal quote. The 'new' insurance company that I was intending to go with obviously want noting to do with the issue either.
I am now receiving correspondence from the third party insurance notifying me that they had contacted my previous insurer who confirmed that I had no valid policy with them at the time of the accident and therefore will not assist. The third party insurance has handed over the claim to Aviva claims management who notified me that they will be attempting to recoup their outlay from me personally. They have deemed the third party vehicle a total loss, and are threatening with legal action if I do not contact them immediately and settle.
In their letter, they are claiming that I swerved into the other car for unknown reasons and hit it head on. Its clear from both the cars that it wasn't head on, and I lost control due to the road conditions as confirmed by the police.
I do not know what to do, or who to turn to for advice. I cannot afford any legal fees, nor can I afford anything that the third party insurance will be looking to recoup from me. The car they wrote off was a brand new BMW 4 series.
I have now obtained another vehicle as I need it for work and the family, and it is insured adequately.
Could anyone please advise me on what to do or what my options would be.
Many thanks