Drive Assist

There's some comment on moneysaving expert -

all these companies just sell on legal work to solicitors in an auction process. Individuals can now do the same -

In message , Daytona writes

Thanks for useful response. When I had a contested 50/50 scrape in a car park last year it was dealt with very helpfully by my insurers, Zurich, without any recourse to DA. They used their own selection of law firm, AFAICT. It would appear that the high premium I pay is perhaps worth while, after reading some of the horror stories which a search on DA has thrown up for me. I will be writing to Zurich to reassure myself that they will never use DA on my behalf.

My recent experience seems to have been a narrow escape from them.

I reversed a few feet on a main road to let a car out from a parking area for which I was heading, and unfortunately made contact with a car which had drawn up behind me. A close examination of both vehicles did not reveal any visible damage, and I exchanged name and phone details with the other party, a very pleasant young lady, who I will call "T".

Less than two hours after the shunt I had a message on my answer phone from DA. They also called the following morning, and the gist of the conversation was them trying to get me to admit responsibility: "Would you give me your version of the events of this collision"? I asked who they were and they said they were a "Reporting Agency for an insurance broker". I refused to answer any questions and said that I would take advice from my insurance company.

I was dismayed at this, because it was at odds with my judgement of "T"'s character.

Next evening, before calling my insurers, I called her, and she immediately said "Oh everything's fine, I had the car checked for structural damage and it was declared sound by a garage owned by a family member; he spotted a couple of scratches and fixed them free of charge".

I asked how DA had become involved, and she told me she reported the bump to Swinton, her insurers, and was then called by DA who offered her a courtesy car. She told them that she did not require their services at that stage and later instructed them to drop the matter. Small wonder that insurance costs escalate...

Of course I must add for the sake of balance that DA probably do a great job in some cases. ;-)