On Mon, 11 Aug 2003 15:38:54 +0100, "AD"
wrote thus:

I hope somebody can help.
While legally parked last week my Astra car was reversed into by a van.
Causing a large amount of damage to front passenger door.
I phoned my insurers the AA who informed me that as I only had TPFT
insurance they would put me in touch with a company who dealt with non fault
accident damage claims the company is called Helphire.
After having an estimate I have been informed today that the car is a "road
worthy write-off" and there is nothing more Helphire can do and that I must
try and claim now Via the AA,But they feel there is not a lot I can do.

Now I'm a little miffed and confused as I was legally parked the girl
reversed out from a side road straight into me,She left contact details and
gave me her insurance policy details.
Any ideas as to what may happens next or is that it and I'm to drive around
in a damaged car,
Any help appreciated as at the moment I'm totally pi***d off.
thanks,
ADAM


All TPFT does is what it says it does... did you expect more? You are
amazingly lucky the if girl left the right contact details, and you can
get in contact with her. With Third Party, your insurance company is not
going to do the work for you, that's one of the reasons it's cheaper than
comprehensive. You've got to chase up this girl, and her insurance
company, and get payment.

Third Party means that the insurance is there if you do damages yourself
that you can't pay. To clarify... to start, there's RTA (Road Traffic
Act), which is the minimum legal requirement, then TP (Third party, you're
covered for the costs of others (I think, can someone clarify the
difference between RTA and 3P?)). TPFT Just adds fire and theft to TP.
Comprehensive is a different ball game. You've got to look at the terms
of your own insurer.

--
Ben Green, ISBD Ltd.