Quote / Form General Claims Form

Motor Vehicle Claims Procedure

Procedure for Own Damage Claims

• Provided the insurer has confirmed their minimum limit for damage requiring assessment (eg. repairs costing less than $1,000) and the damage to the vehicle is under that figure the client can proceed with repairs on the lowest of two quotations. If in any doubt, check with the insurer.
• Where the cost of repairs exceeds the amount specified by the insurer, advise the insurer so that assessment can be arranged.
• Where the vehicle is undriveable, the client should have it towed to the nearest place of repair and leave the completed claim form with the vehicle. The assessor will collect the claim form when inspecting the vehicle and agreeing the cost of repairs with the repairer.
• Where the vehicle is driveable, advise the insurer of the day when the vehicle will be available for assessment at the repairers. Leave the quotation and claim form (ensuring the client ABN and Input Tax Credit entitlement are included) with the vehicle. Insurers generally require at least 24 hours to arrange assessment.

Settlement

Unless otherwise instructed, repair accounts will be settled directly with the repairer by the client insurers. Settlement of claims in respect of vehicles which are deemed to be a total loss will be made according to ownership at the time.

If a third party is at fault and the claim is below the client deductible or the client does not wish to claim under the client insurance, proceed as follows:

• The client should obtain a quotation for repairing the client vehicle.
• Send a letter of demand and the repair quotation to the third party – this would normally be done by the client but if we have agreed to handle their “under excess” claims you should do this.
• Keep a copy of the quotation and the letter.
• If the third party pays the cost of repairs the matter is settled.
• If they ignore the letter of demand, the client (or you if we are handling the matter) should send a second letter about seven (7) days after the first.
• If they ignore the second letter, we recommend referring the matter to the client solicitor.

Sample letters of demand are provided in our Templates which are available