Talk about bad luck... what are our chances?

neil. · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Feb 2008 Karma :

Hey everyone, just wondering if this is going to be an open/shut straightforward thing (I think it should be):

Basically, today was the day of my partner's driving test. So an hour before it, her instructor picks her up and they go for a quick practice before heading to the test centre. A few minutes away from the test centre, she pulls up at a roundabout and as she's stationary, waiting to go, a car behind goes into the back of the car she's driving. Luckily it wasn't a massive shunt, so nobody got hurt, but the paintwork is pretty mashed from what I've been told. The other car involved is a private minicab, and the driver was very apologetic and admitted fully in front of her and the instructor that he was at fault and had a lapse of concentration.

She was pretty shaken up by the whole thing and didn't do her test today, leaving her at a loss of £60. The driving school (BSM) won't refund the test fee, as she booked it through them. Her instructor said to call the other driver's insurance about it. Am I right in thinking we can claim it back off the minicab driver's insurance without too much hassle? Should be easy, considering the circumstances? What about the extra expense of having more lessons before another test, as she wouldn't need to if she had passed today? Is it also worth her taking a trip to the doctor's, just in case there's some hidden injury, like whiplash/whatever?

Anyone had similar experiences? How did they pan out?
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CBT February 2008 | A2 June 2008 | Yamaha YBR125 (written off) | Honda CBF125 (current)

Student · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 06 Aug 2008 Karma :

I think it could probably count as compensation as it caused disruption to her activities. I mean you can get cover for things like your CD's being stolen with your car so I think it would be covered in the insurance, but if in doubt ask anyway, the worst it's gonna be is a flat no
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Current bike/project - Suzuki GP 125
Wish bike - Suzuki Gladius

Ste · Not Work Safe Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :

Call the cabbie and see if he wants to settle it privately rather than through insurance. Quicker, easier, and would mean you might see the money for booking another test sometime this year. Thumbs Up

neil. · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Feb 2008 Karma :

chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

I imagine you would get the test fee back but not the extra training.
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neil. · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Feb 2008 Karma :

Paivi · World Chat Champion Joined: 30 Sep 2005 Karma :

I'd try to take it up with BSM again, but with somebody in charge, not just a customer service agent.

I think it's appalling they won't refund her fee, or give her an alternative date. I wouldn't expect her to be in a fit state to do her test immediately after having been in a non-fault accident.
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hellkat · Super Spammer Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

I agree with Paivi.
She ought to push harder to have the fee reimbursed.

A learner driver on her way to a test is going to be nervous enough, without being shunted up the arse on the way to her bloody test.

You need to kick arse at BSM. Don't just take the customer services people's brush-off - talk to a supervisor, or somebody higher.
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