Claiming on driver's insurance...

[hoski]

I need a spot of advice from the hive mind, please.

I was involved in a RTC. I ain't going into the details etc., but I hit the left wing perpendicular to the car at approx 20mph... and managed to bend the forks/steerer tube and the downtube in the process. Obviously I'll need to get quotes for repair/valuation for replacement etc. from a few bike shops, etc. Thankfully I am relatively unscathed and whilst it's too early to be certain I don't think there's any issues there.

But my question is: the chappy involved has directed me to contact his insurance broker (it's a company vehicle). I have the name of the insurer also. Should I contact the broker (who I assume will deal with the claim from the client's perspective anyway) first, or lodge the claim with the insurer and let the process run its course that way?

I'm in a bit of a pickle over this so any help will be much appreciated and rewarded with beer/cake/energy gels*.

*I only have beer and cake. Sports nutrition scares me.

 

[Dan B]

I don't know much about car insurance but in other areas it's not unheard of for the broker to manage claims themselves (or using a third party) instead of passing them on to the insurer. So if he says to talk to the broker, talk to the broker - worst case is they redirect you to the insurer anyway and you're out the cost of one phone call.

 

[numbnuts]

Join the CTC and get advice from them.

 

[Pale Rider]

Claim direct from the insurance company.

No point in dealing with a middleman (broker) when you don't have to.

 

[srw]

Start with the broker. It's entirely possible (as Dan B points out, this is very common) that the insurer has delegated authority to the broker.