Weird one...Insurance company looking to recoup settlement?

[eddiem74]

Just had a call from my sister.

Her son was involved in an accident some time ago where he was at fault injuring a passerby. The claim was settled recently and confirmation letter received from insurer that the claim was closed.

Today a guy showed up at her house looking for her son who happened to be home. He informed him the insurance company were looking to recoup the claim settlement from him and was asking him if he still lived at that address, etc... He was saying the insurance company had sent multiple letters but nothing has been received. When my sister and her husband went out the guy refused to speak with them or hand over any information.

They were all so taken aback by the situation and trying to find out what was going on the guy headed off and they did not get car details or any real information however she said he was talking pictures of their house before he left.

On the face of it, all seems very odd...

Thought's?

[kdevitt]

All depends on the circumstances of the accident and the details of the son who was insured, and the car. If the son was in breach of his policy, the insurance company can sue him to recoup anything they paid out. Lots of reasons why that might be the case - not declaring mods, being a 'named driver' when he's actually the main driver etc. Can also happen in a road rage incident where the car was essentially used as a weapon.

You often hear people saying that the insurance companies won't pay out in the event of circumstances such as those above, but they are always obliged to pay out to third parties who are not at fault. They also always retain the right to get that money back off you. I know of similar happening where a lad spilt oil on the Nurburging causing a whole pile of damage - company paid out, then went after him for a 6 figure sum.

[eddiem74]

From what I know it was his first car, fully comp, clipped a passer-by and as a result hand/wrist damaged. Claim settled for a sizable amount, not 6 figures though.

Would a guy just show up out of the blue on New Years Eve? Granted he said letters were sent but nothing has been received yet all other correspondence around the claim was?

Seemed odd but maybe this how they do it?

[Dave]

I'd be calling a solicitor.

I'm open to correction but I'm reasonably sure that it's possible the insurance company sold the debt to a third party


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[eddiem74]

Yes, they plan to call the insurer Tuesday to see what is going on and then consult a solicitor if needed.

An added complication now is her son has moved abroad for work and was just home for the Christmas.

Why would the guy be taking pictures of their house; surely his parents home could not be considered as part of anything?

[bazz26]

Could be some sort of attempt at a scam. Bizarre that anyone acting on behalf of an insurance company would turn up at the door on a Saturday especially New Year's Eve at that. Did the guy produce any sort of ID? Definitely contact the insurance company first thing on Tuesday.

[eddiem74]

Don't know if ID was produced... it was all a little odd/random from speaking with my sister, they were somewhat in shock trying to understand amongst themselves what was going on when the guy left. He did know about the claim, had the right address, etc, but it was the fact it was so out of the blue was the weird thing.

She said her son thought he was a guy who was involved in the investigation / claim but wasn't sure... He apparently made some comment when my sisters husband was called out that he knew him from when he had a claim for drainage trouble which they never had.

[kdevitt]

If the son is now in the US it would explain why he hasn't responded to any letters - might just be a claims investigator popping out to validate the home address. Just call the insurance company on Tuesday morning anyway and see what they have to say for themselves. If they are going after him he'll need a solicitor at that stage.

[eddiem74]

Letters (if sent) were never received...all post goes to his parents house as that was his place of residence.

All letters associated with the claim have been received including the final letter confirming the claim was closed.

Looks like all will be revealed on Tuesday at this stage...

[eddiem74]

Well after emails and phone calls with no clear answers today a letter dated January 5th arrived stating the claim has been settled as per prior correspondence and that the "file has now been passed to our Recoveries Team who will be writing to you seeking recovery of the above mentioned payments" was received. An email was also replied to stating they had sent no letters prior.

So it does look like a solicitor will need to be involved soon as neither the insured or his parents would have the ability to repay the amount paid out.