The Perils of Dealing directly with insurers

Tuesday 05th July, 2016

Perils of dealing directly with insurance companies

Mr J Ellis was involved in a horrific accident when a passenger in a friend’s vehicle. The driver of the vehicle lost control and hit a tree which resulted in multiple injuries to Mr Ellis including permanent scarring to his face.

Following the accident, he was contacted by the insurance company of the driver offering to help him with his claim for personal injury. Mr Ellis was glad of the assistance and felt that it would be easier to do this than to engage a Solicitor to assist him.

Once he had attended a medical examination arranged for him by the driver’s insurance company, he was made an offer to settle in the global sum of £2,500.00 with a deduction of 25% for the fact that he was not wearing a seatbelt.

Mr Ellis decided to get a second opinion. He contacted Mr P Stanway at Aegis Legal in Knutsford for some free legal advice. It was obvious from the initial conversation and the extent of the injury that offer put forward did not appear to be appropriate or fair.

Mr Ellis was keen to resolve this matter amicably and without any fuss which was credit to him.

Aegis Legal took on the claim and simply contacted the relevant insurance company and provided them with professional photographs of the scarring to Mr Ellis’ face.  The result was that Mr Ellis received a gross offer of £10,000.00.

Mr Stanway recommends that it is always worth seeking independent legal advice in relation to a claim for personal injury.

He is keen to stress that he has no problem with advising clients to deal with insurance companies direct if it is in the client’s best interests but finds all too often that they only have their own interests in mind when making offers in settlement which can result in under settlement.