Gave in too easily to other insurance company

My neighbour impatiently tried to sneak behind me whilst I was reversing into my parking space. Unfortunately we collided.

There was little damage to my car and I knew I was getting rid of it soon, so I did the honest thing and not claim. My neighbour on the other hand had a dent in his door, so he claimed.

Initially, Ageas was very helpful, saying they will record it as his fault.

A few months after that, Ageas contacted me saying his insurers where refusing to accept it was his fault, and they were now proposing 50/50 responsibility.

A few more months later, Ageas contacted me again saying his insurance was refusing to accept 50/50 and it was to be solely my fault.

1. This accident only happened because he was too impatient to wait for me to reverse into my parking space.

2. He saw me drive in to the car park. I didn't even know he was in his car waiting to go. All he had to do was wait and the accident would never have happened. It was so clearly his fault and avoidable by his actions.

3. As soon as it happened, I knew I wouldn't be able to prove it was his fault, but I accepted that it would get a 50/50 blame as there was no CCTV or Witnesses. It was purely my word against his, hence why I didn't claim, to help reduce costs.

Ageas went to his insurance company and bowed to every thing they said. They took my money, but when it came down to it, they did not represent me to their fullest capabilities. They just agreed with no fight at all to what his insurance company said. Then I find out that his insurance company is under written by none other than Ageas themselves!

Don't use these. They will use the cheapest way to get out and it will be at your expense. They will happily take your money but instead of fighting for you they will back off.

He got paid £873 as his car was too old to repair and was written off. He then bought it off them and spent £50 on an identically coloured door at the local scrap yard. He got a nice little payout, continues to drive the same car and has no effect on his insurance.

I now have the misfortune of declaring a blameworthy accident for the next five years and having a higher premium to pay.

Avoid!