This article reveals the ten most bizarre and obscure claims, all from genuine sources:
1. One motorist was in such a panic when a wasp flew into his car and up his trouser leg that he hit the accelerator; unfortunately, also hitting the car in front.
2. Cows can be a problem. In one particular instance, a driver claimed that the cow jumped onto his quad bike, presumably by accident rather than with the intention of driving away.
3. In another incident involving a cow the driver described his experience, "As I came over a hill, I hit a cow in the middle of the road, which then hit the bonnet and shattered the windscreen with its rear end". Thankfully, the cow survived.
4. When driving close to a herd of cattle try to avoid their tongues. In a particularly bizarre insurance claim a motorist stated that the cows caused damage to his car's paintwork by licking it.
5. Cows aren't the only animal causing problems. A driver claimed that a reindeer fell onto the bonnet of his car. Thankfully it wasn't at Christmas and the reindeer did not have a red nose.
6. When driving in Africa zebras can be difficult, especially if they intentionally collide with your car, as was the case with one claim.
7. Always secure your shopping bags when driving. One driver had the misfortune to find that a potato had fallen out of the bag and had become lodged under his brakes, rending them useless.
8. Bizarrely flying kebabs can be a hazard on the road. Apparently, a driver was rounding a bend when a frozen kebab flew out of his car, hitting a passing car and causing damage.
9. That's not the only frozen item causing damage. Another motorist claimed, "A frozen squirrel fell out of a tree and crashed through the windscreen onto the passenger seat".
10. If flashed at by a speed camera try to contain your anger. One motorist, fed up of being snapped by a speed camera, decided to take his revenge by driving into the post that it was attached to. Unfortunately, the post was stronger than expected, causing him to write off his motor.
Each of these incidents illustrates the importance of having adequate car, motorcycle or minibus insurance. After all, you can never predict when a reindeer might fall from the sky or an unhappy cow exacts her revenge.
1) The car will have been moved from the car repairers to a salvage merchant. This is done to lessen storage costs charged by repairers for cars in their compounds.
2) The company will ask you for the vehicle documents. That is the MOT certificate if your car requires one,V5 registration document, purchase receipts, service records, keys and details of any outstanding finance. They will ask that you return your certificate of insurance. They will require the original paperwork before they will be able to settle your claim. Photocopies will be ok to start with but will slow down the claim process.
If you ask the insurance company why they require these documents, they will probably tell you that they want to check that they have the right model of the car, that it possessed a valid MOT certificate and proof of service record to establish that is has been maintained. These are all valid reasons. However they also need to validate your claim for being fraudulent. Government documents have several anti-fraud measures built into them by the issuing Government agency. Careful perusal of the documents will enable the claims official to quickly determine that these are indeed genuine documents and not fake. If there is any doubt, they can use forensic science equipment to validate that the documents are fake or genuine. You would have to be a very clever fraudster to successfully forge all these documents. My advice is - let the company have the original paperwork as soon as they request them. Your claim will be delayed if you send copies.
3) Whilst you are awaiting your settlement proposals, your insurers will be setting other wheels in motion as well. They will record the claim on the 'motor insurance anti fraud and theft register'. (MIAFTR) This is a national data base that has recorded all insurance total loss cars and stolen vehicles since the early 1980's. It checks your vehicle's details against the contents of the database to see if it has ever been the subject of an insurance total loss before, or whether it has ever been stolen and not found. The computer checks against your name and address; post code; your car's registration number and VIN (vehicle identification number). If any details match further questions will be directed towards you, and the insurance company might go into 'fraud investigation' mode.
The motor insurance anti fraud and theft register also as a matter of course checks your car against the HPI (Hire Purchase Information) database. If you took out finance to buy the vehicle and you still have an outstanding balance, it will be on the HPI database. Rest assured that your insurance company will discover it. So be truthful and tell them about your outstanding debt. The loan company is the legal owner of your car. Any settlement will be made to them whilst there is an outstanding balance. Anything left over goes to you. Similarly, your claim will be recorded on CUE (Claims and Underwriting Exchange). This happens as a matter of course on all car and house insurance claims. Not all insurers subscribe but most of them do.
Problems arise where the outstanding loan is greater than the value of the car. In this case the insurance company does not pay off the loan in full. I recall a scheme for motorcycles. Teenagers went into a dealer, bought a new motor cycle plus all the helmets, leathers and so on with money borrowed against the value of the vehicle. The interest on the loan was outrageously high. A short time later they would have an accident and they would write it off (or it was stolen). The value of the motor cycle was much less than the combined purchase price plus the interest. It caused a furor which was blamed on the insurance company rather than the stupidity of the youngster for entering into such a bad deal with the shop.
4) Your insurance company will be obtaining bids for the wreckage. The higher the salvage value the less they will have to pay out on your claim. There has been much comment about vehicles which have been written off finding their way back on to the road, or being purchased by criminal gangs to help them disguise a stolen vehicle. The Association of British Insurers (ABI) have issued rules relating to the disposal of vehicle salvage. All insurance companies adhere to these rules. The result is that most salvage is sold by the insurance companies to reputable salvage dealers. If the vehicle is damaged to an extent that meets listed criteria, it will be stamped with a code that requires the vehicle to be broken up or scrapped. Cars with lighter damage can still be fixed and returned to the road.
5) Once all these hurdles have been overcome your insurers will propose a settlement figure to you.
Their assessor will have looked up the trade publications to value the car, adjusting these figures for the age, condition and mileage of the vehicle, and his knowledge of the local car market. The final total he comes up with forms the starting point of the settlement value given to you. Any policy excess will have to be deducted along with any outstanding finance.
Your insurance company should make it clear to you precisely how much you will get and detail any adjustments to you. If you pay your car insurance by Direct Debit, the it is likely that any remaining payments will also be deducted from the settlement cheque.
6) Once you have accepted the value (some companies might need your signature to a document called a 'form of discharge') you will receive a cheque.
7) Your insurers then own the remains of your car and, subject to legal limitations and those ABI rules, can do what they want with it. This will always mean they will sell the salvage.
Both James Todman & Trevor Dace are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
James Todman has sinced written about articles on various topics from Biking, Cars and Computers and The Internet. James is a web content editor. The is a specialist minibus insurance provider and has offered UK minibus insurance quotes since 1997. Visit their website f. James Todman's top article generates over 2900 views. to your Favourites.
Trevor Dace has sinced written about articles on various topics from Mortgage Insurance, Insurance and Auto Insurance. This article was written by Trevor Dace. He has many years of experience working as a claims adjuster with a number of UK motor insurance companies. His website. Trevor Dace's top article generates over 22200 views. to your Favourites.