Why can't I claim for the time that I have spent dealing with my car accident when it was not even my fault?

Answer 1

Not sure where you're from since some of these answers appear to be from the UK, but in the US, there's no policy provisions that cover this your time or "irritation." If you're in the UK, maybe you'll get lucky. Here in the US, unlikely.

It's considered the 'cost of being a driver,' ie, something that happens to everyone, regardless of fault, and on top of that, you're working for yourself. You don't bill yourself for the hour you spend every time you have to make a phone call to the bank or the electric company to sort out a problem, then demand repayment, do you? Even when it's their fault? When you repair something at your house do you bill yourself for your time? Or when your shop does something you don't like to your car? So why would you expect it from an insurance claim?

If you have an expense that's very out of the ordinary (long distance calls to Japan because the insurance company refused to give you a toll-free number) you can submit the bill. Otherwise, sometimes, stuff just happens.

It's a accident. No one involved woke up and said "Boy, I really hope I hit someone today." Some adjusters used to throw a little extra into injury settlements to make people like you go away, but that practice has really been discouraged and fallen to the wayside because so many people started to take advantage and "pad" their claims with ridiculous things.

Unless you've got thousands of dollars in LEGITIMATE unpaid expenses, I think you should just count your blessings and move on.

Answer 2

If you only have third party insurance, it's difficult to claim against someone damaging your car for the time you've spent dealing with it.

If, however, you've got comprehensive cover, your insurance company should be dealing with it and should also be looking to compensate you for any loss of earnings due to the accident etc.

The problem is, with 3rd party cover you have to fight your own battles. You could write to the insurer of the person responsible with a bill showing your normal hourly rate (work this out by dividing your salary by 52 then by the number of hours you work a week) multiplied by the amount of hours you have spent sorting out the car. Do it out like a proper invoice and request compensation from the company for your loss of earnings. The worst they can do is say "no".

Answer 3

You can claim for inconvenience from a responsible third party insurance company. Your own insurance (regardless of level of cover) does not cover this at all.

Generally misc costs claims are settle on a nominal basis. I pay £5 for 6 years and never a penny more. The most you can expect to get from a more generous claims handler is £30-50.

Answer 4

I believe you can.. I think though, it is a one off payment to cover phone calls and postage etc.... When I last came across this it was £30 but that was a long time ago. Your insurers should deal with it..

Answer 5

You can, however you would have to prove that you lost money.

Send the claim to the person at fault, they should be able to give it to their insurance firm.
If they refuse to play ball threaten to take them to court.

Remember it has to be worth your time and effort to pursue this matter

Answer 6

hi so which you deliver a letter lower back pointing out all verbal substitute is to be with the aid of your coverage company or in basic terms forward their letter on your coverage company. the two way enable your coverage company cope with it. Andy C

Answer 7

you can, write down all phone calls bills that relate to your case, copy them and send them to your solicitors. You should have two seperate lots of money, expenses (what its costing u), and damages (whiplash, broken limbs etc).