4 weeks ago we got rear ended on the outside lane of the M8 motorway during rush hour. We got hit so hard that we were pushed into the car in front and resultingly my van was deemed beyond economic repair.
I had just organised my insurance with Hastings Van insurance 3 weeks beforehand and paid an extra £30 for a guaranteed courtesy van. I had to wait 3 days for a van as "none were available" and I had to kick and scream for that. Not a good start!
I was also dealing with my insurers and not her's as they are disputing liability (even though she smashed into me doing 50 - 60 mph). She is arguing that I was already involved in a collision when she hit me (lies). Thankfully, the guy she pushed me into has been great and is sticking up for us.
I insured my van for £3500 and they tried to send me a cheque for £2550 which is minus my excess as there has been no establishment of liability. I had to push hard get the full amount but eventually got it. I've also had to spend hours looking for suitable vans and it has not been easy but I chose a van yesterday, so that ends 2 weeks of looking (fussy I know but why shouldn't I be).
Overall, I've had my van scrapped, lost business, injured my neck, my back, I have constant high pitched ringing in my ears, suffered stress, inconvenience, I'll have to get my new van lettered which is more down time and more cost and I've had to shell out more money for a decent standard of van.
What an absolute nightmare! If it was a car, I'd have had nothing like this level of stress and inconvenience. I can't even get physio through the insurance until liability has been proven to be her's 100% and I need to wait 12 weeks for an appointment at an ear, nose and throat specialist to check out my ears.
The moral of the story is be careful who you choose for your van insurance and make sure you pay for a courtesy van and legal cover as without these, I would have been up poo creek without a paddle. Does anyone have a similar tale of van insurance woe?