Wednesday, 22 June 2011
Thrifty Car Rental Dudley Pedmore Branch
Well today is ten working days... and wow no sign of any refund of the deposit from Thrifty Car & Van Rental. Wonder what bull i will be feed today upon calling these imbociles. If i have no luck i think a few well placed calls to there head centre may just do the trick.
Thrifty Car Rental
While we are on the subject of Claims Companys, they also use idiotic companies to supply there vehicles. Thrifty car & van rental being one of these associated with Joker Assistance. They drop you a vehicle ask for a returnable security deposit of £50-£75 then once the vehicle is back safe, try to palm you off with some bull about it will take 10 working days for you to get YOUR money back, what a joke, they take the money instantly but require you to wait 10 WORKING days to get your OWN MONEY back, so they can inflate the companies coughers play the stock market, use it in varying ways then pay you after they have used your funds to make a profit.
Thrifty's branch in Dudley, West Midlands have played such games and i will be updating this blog with news as i get it.
Thrifty's branch in Dudley, West Midlands have played such games and i will be updating this blog with news as i get it.
Saturday, 11 June 2011
Complaints against claims management companies rise 300%
Complaints by consumers against claims management companies (CMCs) have more than trebled over the past year, Ministry of Justice figures have revealed.
The number of complaints against CMCs shot up from just under 200 a month in January 2009 to more than 600 a month in January this year, the figures show. According to data from September 2009, complaints were predominantly over ‘misleading’ advice (13%) and refunds (13%).
The number of CMCs regulated by the MoJ has increased by 50% over the past year to 3,366 – six times the MoJ’s original estimate when it took on the role of claims management regulator.
However, applications for licences appear to be in decline, having fallen from around 180 in January 2009 to about 80 in January 2010.
Speaking at the Claims Management Conference in Manchester last week, Kevin Rousell, head of claims management at the MoJ, said that there seemed to be little prospect of another body taking over claims management regulation from the MoJ, which was initially tasked with regulating CMCs as a temporary measure. ‘The Legal Services Board has shown no signs of being oversight regulator for claims management businesses,’ he said. ‘There’s no point in change for change’s sake.’
The figures show that the claims regulator received 400 complaints a month on average between January 2009 and January 2010, and launched 150 enforcement actions a month over the same period.
The number of complaints against CMCs shot up from just under 200 a month in January 2009 to more than 600 a month in January this year, the figures show. According to data from September 2009, complaints were predominantly over ‘misleading’ advice (13%) and refunds (13%).
The number of CMCs regulated by the MoJ has increased by 50% over the past year to 3,366 – six times the MoJ’s original estimate when it took on the role of claims management regulator.
However, applications for licences appear to be in decline, having fallen from around 180 in January 2009 to about 80 in January 2010.
Speaking at the Claims Management Conference in Manchester last week, Kevin Rousell, head of claims management at the MoJ, said that there seemed to be little prospect of another body taking over claims management regulation from the MoJ, which was initially tasked with regulating CMCs as a temporary measure. ‘The Legal Services Board has shown no signs of being oversight regulator for claims management businesses,’ he said. ‘There’s no point in change for change’s sake.’
The figures show that the claims regulator received 400 complaints a month on average between January 2009 and January 2010, and launched 150 enforcement actions a month over the same period.
Saturday 11th June 2011
Friday, 10 June 2011
Accident mismanagement
Found at: http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/askhj/answer/14367/accident-mismanagement
A few weeks ago you printed a letter from a man who was anxious about his dealings with an accident management firm, despite its assurances that he wouldn't have to pay costs on the hire vehicle they'd arranged and were claiming against the 3rd party insurers for, on his behalf. You commented that this was an area you were looking into at present and that you could supply the name of an expert solicitor in this field of law to anyone else having similar problems, which is why I'm contacting you. My dealings have been with an accident management company the services of which are advertised free of charge by the dealer chain from whom I bought my Prius last year. I now wish I'd gone with my insurer to settle matters (mine is a 'no blame' claim), but believed the accident management company’s sell-speak about ensuring the best outcome for me with the least trouble. It took 2 months to get the damage (relatively minor) repaired, despite my getting the estimate from approved Toyota repairer within a week of the accident, with, to my mind, unnecessary delays in arranging payment from the 3rd party insurers, who had admitted liability on their client's behalf, also within the first week. That part of the business is now settled. this resulted in my having a hire car (Nissan Micra 1.1) via the AMC for nearly 2 months at a fee of £3,477.07. I've just received a letter from the AMC’s solicitors who I had agreed should act for me if pressure were needed informing me that my claim for these expenses is being forwarded to the Small Claims Court. They state that the majority of cases are settled without the need of an actual hearing, but if mine isn't, I'm required to attend all hearings with their advice to support me. Their advice costs £200 an hour. They happily add that, as I was not responsible for the accident, the 3rd party insurers should pay all my costs. So, now I'm really panicking at the prospect of facing a mounting bill and feel angry and trapped by their approach. I'm just hoping it'll all be settled without court proceedings while outraged at the worry and frustration this is causing.
Asked on 24 July 2010 by AE, Banbury
A few weeks ago you printed a letter from a man who was anxious about his dealings with an accident management firm, despite its assurances that he wouldn't have to pay costs on the hire vehicle they'd arranged and were claiming against the 3rd party insurers for, on his behalf. You commented that this was an area you were looking into at present and that you could supply the name of an expert solicitor in this field of law to anyone else having similar problems, which is why I'm contacting you. My dealings have been with an accident management company the services of which are advertised free of charge by the dealer chain from whom I bought my Prius last year. I now wish I'd gone with my insurer to settle matters (mine is a 'no blame' claim), but believed the accident management company’s sell-speak about ensuring the best outcome for me with the least trouble. It took 2 months to get the damage (relatively minor) repaired, despite my getting the estimate from approved Toyota repairer within a week of the accident, with, to my mind, unnecessary delays in arranging payment from the 3rd party insurers, who had admitted liability on their client's behalf, also within the first week. That part of the business is now settled. this resulted in my having a hire car (Nissan Micra 1.1) via the AMC for nearly 2 months at a fee of £3,477.07. I've just received a letter from the AMC’s solicitors who I had agreed should act for me if pressure were needed informing me that my claim for these expenses is being forwarded to the Small Claims Court. They state that the majority of cases are settled without the need of an actual hearing, but if mine isn't, I'm required to attend all hearings with their advice to support me. Their advice costs £200 an hour. They happily add that, as I was not responsible for the accident, the 3rd party insurers should pay all my costs. So, now I'm really panicking at the prospect of facing a mounting bill and feel angry and trapped by their approach. I'm just hoping it'll all be settled without court proceedings while outraged at the worry and frustration this is causing.
Asked on 24 July 2010 by AE, Banbury
Accident management companies target victims of chronic pain.
Heres an interesting one i found: http://www.personalinjurysolutions.co.uk/blog/accident-management-companies-target-victims-of-chronic-pain/
What concerned us was that before calling us she had called an accident management company that she had found on the internet, who suggested that they had expertise in cases involving chronic pain. These 'claims farmers' are not solicitors, merely exploitative marketing companies looking to sell on your details to large call centre-type claims processors. Despite the poor service that she has received from her non-specialist solicitor, approaching an accident management company really would be jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire.
Fortunately, she was not taken in by their sales script and decided to continue looking.
A search by us today has revealed at least 6 of these accident management companies who are now targeting accident victims suffering long term chronic pain disorders. As these companies are subject to so little regulation, they are able to represent themselves as 'specialists' in anything they choose. Clearly, they have chosen victims of chronic pain as the target of their current campaign.
March 23, 2011 at 7:51 PM
We received a call this week from a lady diagnosed with CRPS Type 1 following an accident at work. She is unhappy with the way that her claim is being handled by her current solicitors. That is fairly typical of the calls that we receive as specialist chronic pain solicitors, but there was something more worrying about this particular call.What concerned us was that before calling us she had called an accident management company that she had found on the internet, who suggested that they had expertise in cases involving chronic pain. These 'claims farmers' are not solicitors, merely exploitative marketing companies looking to sell on your details to large call centre-type claims processors. Despite the poor service that she has received from her non-specialist solicitor, approaching an accident management company really would be jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire.
Fortunately, she was not taken in by their sales script and decided to continue looking.
A search by us today has revealed at least 6 of these accident management companies who are now targeting accident victims suffering long term chronic pain disorders. As these companies are subject to so little regulation, they are able to represent themselves as 'specialists' in anything they choose. Clearly, they have chosen victims of chronic pain as the target of their current campaign.
How To Make A Successful Road Accident Claim
How To Make A Successful Road Accident Claim without having to Ever go to the likes of Broker Assistance.
How long can you glue your eyes to the road for a long journey? It can be boring... very boring. Tired, exhausted, shattered but still driving towards your destination. You always plan for a safe journey, but somethings don't always go according to plan. Your car breaks down or an accident occurs. Now this is more devastating on a motorway than on a normal street road and the last thing that will cross your mind is a road accident claim!
In the first instinct, you'll think how could it have happened or how stupid that other person was. You wish it didn't happen.
Secondly, you're injured (most common, whiplash), and thirdly, it's going to take a couple of hours before your family finds out...
Anyway back to the scene, you're concerned about other lives involved in the accident. Whilst this is happening, people at the back of the traffic don't have a clue about what's happened 3 miles up.
The police, fire brigade and ambulance crew have just zoomed past them and now they know it's going to be a couple of hours wait. Windows go up, air conditioning is activated and the music plays...
Now This Wasn't Planned
Accidents happen in the thousands that we don't even know locally sometimes. But people are either seriously injured and are suffering. At the time they just want to recover peacefully. But that is not always the case. Once a claim management company hears about the accident, the who, what and where, they rush to investigate.
Then you'll hear all kind of crap, to get you to sign some papers for your injury, car and recovery. 95% of the time it's a blag (lie)! Then they'll either follow you to the hospital or find out where you live. But since the incident is in such tension, claim companies nagging at you, police breathalysing you and all the noise is giving you a headache... sorry, migraine. You just want peace and quiet.
A Road Accident Is Never The Same
...therefore a road accident claim can never be the same. It's unique. But you can get companies saying the same thing to you as they did at the previous accident scene. We'll do this for you and this is what you'll get paid out.
Think About It...
If a person has received XXXX amount in compensation, does that really mean that you will get the same? I doubt it! It's a selling technique. That person might have been a female, twice as old as you, wears glasses, has a hearing aid and this list could go on...
Don't give in to these people, seek specialist advice first before signing anything, even to your insurance company. The insurance company looks after their pockets and claim management companies after theirs. It's your road accident claim, so think before you act!
Accident claims don't get settled over night or in a couple of weeks as some might say. 'We'll settle your case in 4 months'. Tempting, isn't it?
It takes time for the investigation to complete from your GP (for the extent of injuries), police (record of the accident, but not always compulsory) and the most time consumers, the insurance companies. The people who pay you!
Letters going backward and forth, take time but some panel of solicitors can mutually work together to speed up the process. Solicitors who specialise in accident cases and have excellent knowledge are able to pursue quickly in these matters.
You can make a road traffic accident compensation claim even if you are a passenger, cyclist or pedestrian. Make a wise choice and don't fall for 'tricks'!
Paperwork
Most companies especially ones who claim to be experts such as Broker (Ha Ha) Assistance ( nothing of the sort) dont send out crappily photocopied paperwork like they have sent me, it really looks two bit, i have kept all this as proof of the further incompetence of this company.
I thought with the amount of calls that i had given them, aleast someone in Management would take the time to put things right but that was asking to much as of yet nothing, so i am going to keep blogging and giving updates about this situation and about anyone elses who needs assistance because there claim is being dealt with in a shoddy manner.
So heres to a vehicleless weekend thanks to Broker Assistance and there incompetence.
I thought with the amount of calls that i had given them, aleast someone in Management would take the time to put things right but that was asking to much as of yet nothing, so i am going to keep blogging and giving updates about this situation and about anyone elses who needs assistance because there claim is being dealt with in a shoddy manner.
So heres to a vehicleless weekend thanks to Broker Assistance and there incompetence.
Joker Assistance musings
I have photos of the vehicle they provided me which was 3 years old and had water marks to the seats, split steering wheel, Exposed airbag along the edges of the steering wheel bag, i always had a fear that depressing the horn would set if off in my face. The gentleman who picked the vehicle up from me to take said they were retiring that car as of its age and condition. The other funny thing i found was the vehicle was brought all the way from Southport and i lived in Birmingham , are they trying to fleece the insurance companies who they then send the bill onto??? I will be bringing this up with the third parties insurance for definete. Another funny thing they provided the second vehicle locally, mysterious that...all things to point out to the third party insurers.
More Random Thoughts on Joker Assistance
Considering that Broker Assistance was supposed to be acting in my best interest being the party who's vehicle was damaged and they were instructed to provide a vehicle to help me, they have done nothing but hinder the process, i am going to be as much of a pain to them as they have been to me thus far.
They have treated me as if i was the person who hit someone else from the rear, the staff have been very rude and if they supposedly record conversation for training (though i dont know what idiot training they must have to go through) and security (HA HA) purposes, they should be able to see how many times i called an how i was dealt with by there incompetent CHAV staff.
They have treated me as if i was the person who hit someone else from the rear, the staff have been very rude and if they supposedly record conversation for training (though i dont know what idiot training they must have to go through) and security (HA HA) purposes, they should be able to see how many times i called an how i was dealt with by there incompetent CHAV staff.
Broker Assistance Part 3
Well Broker Assistance finally paid notice after i told them i was going to sue them if my family were endangered through there negligence, and also the fact that i told them i would be parking the provided vehicle across the road from my house with the keys inside it.
Well that got there attention they provided me with a brand new Galaxy albeit for 7 days.
My claim has not been dealt with and they have taken the hire vehicle back claiming some problem with the insurance. So that left me to ring the third party insurance ( Saga) now known as Acromas who then told me that they couldnt provide me with a car and that they would instruct Broker NON-Assist to reprovide a hire vehicle. This took me backwards and forwards from 9.20am today (Friday 10/06/11)until 5.05pm with no result as they are all passing the buck between themselves and promising a vehicle that never materialises and dragging out every ones patience the saying oops its Friday and we cannot do anything until Monday all the while dragging extra days out of the client .
Joker Assistance is one company never to recommend and please anybody who joins this blog or comments could you pass this information on to others so they cannot have the same unpleasant experience with the RUDE staff at Joker Assistance.
Well that got there attention they provided me with a brand new Galaxy albeit for 7 days.
Joker Assistance is one company never to recommend and please anybody who joins this blog or comments could you pass this information on to others so they cannot have the same unpleasant experience with the RUDE staff at Joker Assistance.
Broker Assistance Part 2
After explaining to the idiots at Broker Assist we possibly could not have damaged the wheel as it shows wear from previous rental they kept promising to do something about changing the vehicle when allalong they had no plans to change it and kept me tagging along with there bullshit for 3 weeks before i had enough. At this point they admitted that they were aware of damage to the wheel, but being such motor vehicle worldwide known specialists they casually stated it will be all ok keep driving the vehicle there is no chance of it going off. Well my Wifes family are in Dorset a good trek from ours of 171 miles one way and with 5 young childen on board they tryed telling us to risk the travel with there so called technical expertise, well i was not going to risk my familys life.
Broker Assistance are supposedly helping there clients after an accident i have had nothing but worry and more pressure because of them.
Continued in Part 3....
Broker Assistance are supposedly helping there clients after an accident i have had nothing but worry and more pressure because of them.
Broker Assistance Part 1
Broker Assistance is a company that does nothing such as its name applies. I was involved in an non fault accident on the 25th April 2011. I went to a claims company based in Birmingham who then contacted Broker Assistance to provide me with a courtesy car as mine was undriveable whilst we awaited an engineers report to see if said vehicle was to be repaired or sent to the great scrapyard heaven.
Firstly they give me a supposed like for like vehicle (NOT), and also a vehicle that has a damaged steering wheel airbag, upon contacting Broker Assist i was told i would be called back within half an hour, no such thing happened. So after there 30 mins of we will call you back i rang them and was told a supervisor would call me, again nothing.
So we find ourselves 24 hours later ringing them again, they then try to tell me that the vehicle was not provided in that condition, so we must have damaged it !!! Funny when the split in the steering wheel is so worn in it shows it was there before and there delivering agent failed to inspect the interior of the said vehicle with me.
Continued in part 2......
Firstly they give me a supposed like for like vehicle (NOT), and also a vehicle that has a damaged steering wheel airbag, upon contacting Broker Assist i was told i would be called back within half an hour, no such thing happened. So after there 30 mins of we will call you back i rang them and was told a supervisor would call me, again nothing.
Continued in part 2......
Have you ever been letdown by an accident claims company?
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