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I was in a supermarket when there was an announcement asking the owner of the red VW Golf XXXXXXX to go to customer services. As the owner I went there and was told that my vehicle had been hit by a van and the van driver had shot off. Someone at the supermarket kindly came forward as a witness and even provided photos of the offending van.
I reported the matter to the police and the driver was fined £120 and given 3 points. I also notified my insurers who paid out £1,000. They subsequently told me the Third Party insurers have accepted liability which meant I could claim back the £280 Excess, and they duly paid up.
I thought this was the end of the matter and was therefore very surprised to get a phone call from my insurers 6 months later asking if I was willing to help their solicitors as a 'witness' as they had been unable to get payment from the Third Party insurers. I said that was okay.
My understanding of the matter is that it's a case between one insurance company and another, that I can aid and abet the case, but Im no more important than that. However, the solicitors are now asking me to sign a document and I am no longer a 'witness', I am described as 'the claimant'. The case is also described as Claimant (Me) v. Defendant (Mr X), rather than Insurance Co A v. Insurance Co B . (This lack of anonymity doesn't go down great in a small community, I prefer not to be identified). And they tell me that if my insurers don't win the case there are consequences for me!
I am a busy person, I am a health care worker, I don't have the time or the inclination to get dragged into this. I can't help but think my insurers are being out of order. I am also worried about the consequences. Can someone clarify the position for me.
I reported the matter to the police and the driver was fined £120 and given 3 points. I also notified my insurers who paid out £1,000. They subsequently told me the Third Party insurers have accepted liability which meant I could claim back the £280 Excess, and they duly paid up.
I thought this was the end of the matter and was therefore very surprised to get a phone call from my insurers 6 months later asking if I was willing to help their solicitors as a 'witness' as they had been unable to get payment from the Third Party insurers. I said that was okay.
My understanding of the matter is that it's a case between one insurance company and another, that I can aid and abet the case, but Im no more important than that. However, the solicitors are now asking me to sign a document and I am no longer a 'witness', I am described as 'the claimant'. The case is also described as Claimant (Me) v. Defendant (Mr X), rather than Insurance Co A v. Insurance Co B . (This lack of anonymity doesn't go down great in a small community, I prefer not to be identified). And they tell me that if my insurers don't win the case there are consequences for me!
I am a busy person, I am a health care worker, I don't have the time or the inclination to get dragged into this. I can't help but think my insurers are being out of order. I am also worried about the consequences. Can someone clarify the position for me.
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