Back in December I had an accident, which was purely my fault due to the compacted ice on the road. I in effect slid the car into the kerb of the roundabout. I reported the incident online, yet it took the insurance company 3 weeks to arrange pick up of the vehicle, despite numerous follow up calls. The majority of the damage was to the wheels and suspension (no body damage).

The insurance company eventually authorised the repair, and the car was returned to me 2.5 months (yes months) later. The tyres had not been replaced despite taking significant impact, yet the alloys wheels were replaced. When picking up the car, I drove it with one of the technicians sat inside who observed the car towing to the right. The repairers stated that the tyres would not be replaced by the insurers but suggested that if I replaced them, the problem would be addressed. I ended up doing this for my own peace of mind, however the car still towed to the right. Having done no more than 20 miles in total, the car was returned for rectification.

The insurer has now informed me that the car has suffered further damage, and is not as a result of the original incident, eventhough the car was towing to the right when I picked it up. Overall they have scrimped on authorising the original repair as suggested, and now they are passing it onto myself. There is approximately £1300 worth of repairs still outstanding. It is now 4 months since the incident, and I still do not have a car. This has been reported to the Ombudsman who are investigating further. Put simply, Swiftcover are the worst insurance company that I have ever encountered or heard about. I would never recommend anyone uses them from my own ongoing personal experience.

I am not going to give this up. From 15 years of engineering experience, it is clear that their assessment process does not consider the safety of their customer! Don't risk it with them. I will never use them again regardless of their so called competitive costs. Do not put yourself or your family in the hands of what has been complete incompetence!

DO NOT THINK ABOUT USING THEM!

Hi

To All car owners please do not use swift car insurance they may start off being cheaper but the moment something goes wrong it starts to cost you money.My story is simple i had a no fault cliam which they paid out against me! just because the other party issued a court summons for there damages.There anwser was, it was not worth fighting it in court! So i end up paying for there lasyness, ps this took over 11 month`s to sort out. lost my no claims bonus.

Changed my insurance to another company no they are going to take me to court because i have refused to pay there early redemption costs.BEWARE

Great shame that the motor insurance market is now so much of a fleecing machie of consumers...for my company it has become commercially viable to now take on cases for folks that are unfortunately at fault for collisions where they have comprehensive insurance, we supply the replacement hire vehicles and recover the charges from their own insurers because of the insurers delaying tactics that are more often than not a complete breach of the FSA Regulations.

Another engineer confirmed to me this week that many of their reports upon the values of customer's vehicles are 'engineered' within the claims office to reduce the offer to the customer.

Direct Line engineer confirmed that they use non-genuine parts in the repair of policyholders vehicles......when challenged as to how they sleep at night knowing the diminution in the value of a vehicle where non-genuine parts are used to repair it.....answer...its in the small print that we can.....asked how the customer is told this when buying a policy........answer they are not....such is the nature of motor insurance.....Not sure just how many now use second hand/scrap parts...oh sorry...recycled parts.....not sure the body repairer who's repair is defective and causes a fatal accident will look before the court under Product Liability breaches.....but hey noy sure motor insurers care when price and profits are involved?

A complaint initially to Swift may well be ignored but once you have a copy of the taped call under a disclosure request under the Data Protection Act they should think (if at all) that a simple form to complete to the FOS will result in a cost to the less than swift of £400.00.......and an order to repay the fleeced monies?

Happ hunting....

R

no spelt checks etc

Yes Swift are cheap but they are also not so swift at paying up. My sister had an accident four weeks ago they still haven't paid up they are using every excuse in the book as to the reason why. When I had my renewal notice from Direct Line I went on a price comparison website Swift came up cheapest. Took cover out with them but have since cancelled due to hassle sister is having. They have now charged me £25.00 to cancel even though policy hasn't started yet not due to start till 18th March 09. They have stated to me that they can due to their terms and conditions, well Swift cover due to my terms and conditions I have the right to let people know what bad service you offer, and charging for something which involved no more than a fivers worth of work to cancel the policy.

Pay more get a better level of service.

Also Swift state that time is money they should take there own advice.

I forgot I had written on this page so long ago but the case I referred to is progressing to court.

While I cannot comment in detail ( I will tell all once the Judge has considered their conduct) I can confirm that the evidence disclosed thus far suggests some very 'dangerous to consumers' practices are the norm.

My colleague has just had 90 cases where Halifax/HBOS had denied their liability to pay a claim upheld by the Financial Services Ombudsman in that all the claims should have been honoured!

It would seem from the recent disclosurers that the Finanacial Services Markets appear riddled with doubful and shameful practices designed to keep consumers out of their lawful entitlements from the products they purchase from insurers is the operating norm for these characters.

The staff also seem rewarded to deny lawful and legitimate claims.

But there we have it the FSA is headed up by the most successful of these types?!

Tell all in due corse after the court decides.

R

ps no spell check

ve

Thanks for youre help I just got a cheap online quote from Swift but by the looks of things I would rather stay qith Directline and pay a bit more.

You know what they say

Whats cheap is dear

Bye

I'd steer well clear of Swift Cover! I was hit on a round about by a guy in a people carrier, forced onto the Kerb and suffered damage to both sides of my car. I recieved a phonecall from the guy that evening offering to pay for the damage (As he happened to be the director of a claims company!) I decided to go through the insurance for peace of mind. Bad move. My claim was not dealt with by Swift it was forwarded onto Simsclaims... who are a total shower! I had the same issues as most people here.. phoned up and got 'the other party haven't reported the accident', then 'we've misplaced your details'... The accident happened in June and still nothing has happened, Simsclaims wanted to accept a 50/50 liability which i rejected as there is an independant witness statement. i have also asked Simsclaims to check the FSA regulations to see if there is any 'conflict of interest' clauses that will stop the guy who hit me (Who's company is dealing with the claim) making any profit from crashing into me! Simsclaims response; 'we are waiting for the 3rd parties comments to the witness statement'? So they basically cant be bothered to check. Furthermore, i have asked them to check if the guy was even insured to drive the vehicle at the time of the accident... simclaims response 'we are waiting for the 3rd parties response to the witness statement. Its a joke. I'll definitly not be sending my car to one of their 'Approved' repair shops either... because you know the 'Approved' repair shop will report to Swift the bare minimum they have to do to repair your car (Thus mitigating there costs) my car is going to my dealer (Obviously have the quote sent and approved by Swift first if you chose to do this). Luckily my car was not a right off and the damage is purely cosmetic. But as it stands, my car has still not been repaired, the 3rd party have still not accepted liability and will probably end up making money out of hitting me. Although i wasn't tied into another year my policy ran out in June and i ended up going with Express Insurance after the renewal quote from Swift increased despite having 4 years no claims and there reason 'The claim is still open so you lose your NCD'. Steer clear. Well Clear.

We pay it monthly, but they took the amount for the year after the accident off the payment they said we were getting without telling us. Now a letter from the other car's company saying that Swift are NOT paying the repairs to it. ( This was the car that crashed into the car in front causing my son to emergency brake and skid) They have now threatened my son with a lawyer to get the money to pay for the damage. and also the other person's volutary payment. This also is a cheap insurance company. The letter was sent recorded but we didn't sign for it. The postman did. It has all been done illegal. SWIFT HAVE ALSO PUT ON THE INSURANCE THAT FAULT ADMITTED YET AT NO TIME WAS THIS ADMITTED. Due to the car in front crashing first. We can't get away from them fast enough. The Salvage company has now sold our car. They are a Micky Mouse company. They take your money but dont pay out. I thought it was always fought between insurance compays. STAY AWAY FROM THE CHEAP ONE'S.

I cannot believe how others are experiencing the same as me. I had an accident in August and they ignore my correspondence and when you are able to contact them, you speak to the ignorant individual who have has no idea of what is going on. My file keeps being handed from pillar to post and am desperate for the claim to be settled so I can get out. I have contacted the Ombudsman and they say you must give the Insurance time to sort your complaint - how much time???

I think you will find the following link quite useful: http://www.fsa.gov.uk/pubs/other/factsheet_claims_handling.pdf. Insurers generally edge on guidelines but over the next year there will be firmer rules concerning this area what with TCF (Treating Customers Fairly). You should note the terms 'Promptly' and 'In good time'.

The cheapest is not the best and I would warn ALL NOT TO TOUCH SWIFT WITH A 10 FOOT BARGE POLE. I get annoyed with the adverts about Swift because I would not wish them on my worst enemy.

Ah. I think I've found my soul mate! We have the same understanding lol! Unfortunately some people learn the hard way. These things have to be tried and tested to know if we like them. As you've seen, the price is great initially but you can't put a price on service! I've said that all along.

How about taking them to Watch dog, because I think there is a definite case for them to follow up - I will stand up and be counted

Good luck with that! I do honestly wish you well, but I fear you will be wasting your time.

Dont phone them either because you end up hanging on and in the end have to hang up - my phone bill has been horrendous - I wonder how much they make from the phone calls???

I don't think they get any money from their 0871 numbers, but their line rental will be cheap. Some companies offer 0871 numbers free to businesses as they know the volume of calls will pay for the charges. As the likes of Swift take an 'age' to respond to e-mails, naturally people want to speak to somebody over the telephone!

We could look on the bright side of this. You've learnt from your mistake and won't go with them again and you've heightened the awareness at how shockingly bad this company are (I've been trying to explain this for nearly a year now but everyone seems to think I'm wrong all the time so it's actually quite refreshing to hear from you!!). I suppose at least Swift are open until reasonable times, compared to ECar who are available 9-5:30 Monday to Friday LOL! These sort of companies make me laugh! But then they are the ones laughing at the end of it sadly!

My advice is to read through the link (above) thoroughly. I think you will know what to do after reading it ;o).

Good luck and PLEASE PLEASE come back and let us know how you get on (ignoring all the 'Swift are brilliant, I'm with them, don't pick on them' comments :o))

Anybody still wondering why they are so cheap?

I cannot believe how others are experiencing the same as me. I had an accident in August and they ignore my correspondence and when you are able to contact them, you speak to the ignorant individual who have has no idea of what is going on. My file keeps being handed from pillar to post and am desperate for the claim to be settled so I can get out. I have contacted the Ombudsman and they say you must give the Insurance time to sort your complaint - how much time???

The cheapest is not the best and I would warn ALL NOT TO TOUCH SWIFT WITH A 10 FOOT BARGE POLE. I get annoyed with the adverts about Swift because I would not wish them on my worst enemy.

How about taking them to Watch dog, because I think there is a definite case for them to follow up - I will stand up and be counted

Dont phone them either because you end up hanging on and in the end have to hang up - my phone bill has been horrendous - I wonder how much they make from the phone calls???

Be very careful as Swift bypass the FSA rules on Claims Handling by getting engineers to bypass an injured parties legal representation to make cash settlements at the customers home.

The Engineers have no authorisation in law to do so in their own right and work for a company called SIMS that works without authority from the FSA or the Claims Management Regulatot.

Ther most aggressive engineer we have come across is a Dave Taylor.

BE VERY AWARE OF THEIR ATTEMPTS TO BYPASS THE LAW TO MAKE EXTRA PROFIT FROM UNDERPAYING CLAIMS.

Letter was sent 3 weeks ago recorded. It also included all that has happened and asked them who had caused the further damage and listed the extra damage done to it.Also asked in the letter was " Was the further damage included in the assessers report" With a list of what was done. It is worth while checking your cars up when you have an accident. The car was sentimental to us as well. There has been no reply. Another thing to think about AND A WARNING is we were told by the salvage that they had bought the car as seen therefore everything that is in it belongs to them. Luckily we had took the radio out before it got taken to the garage as that was new. They even wanted the CD holder and CD'S that was in the car. After an accident keep your wits take as much as you can off and out of the car as well. I dread to think what happens if after an accident you are taken to hospital and you have bank cards, lap top DVD personnel belongings or even going or been on holiday. They will even claim your road tax back so remember to take that as well. If a salvage yard gets it it all belongs to them. Remember we didn't know it had been sold. We know though how these cars are sold all over the country. ( have the site) Swift had said its a write off due to costs but the car was repairable. Insurance estimates for all new parts. ( Salvage told us that) We could have repaired our car ourselves but didnt get the chance ( Salvage told us we could buy our car back to contact Swift and buy it back) Swift e mail the Salvage. This Insuance company is a law unto itself.

Make a complaint, in writing, get a copy of it - and proof of posting - then if the complaint is still not resolved escalate this to the ombudsman. Sadly not everything is about price as you have seen. When something is cheap, there's a reason. It's not a good one when it comes to making a claim! God help you if you are in an accident involving a Swift covered driver too!

Swift are not so Swift. Totally agree. Involved in an accident not at fault. Car got taken to garage 30miles away. 2 weeks later found out the car had been taken away from the garage - not informed- garage didn't no where it was adviced to contact Swift. Swift contacted was given a postcode. Went to find it was given the wrong postcode. We found it though car was in a salvage yard. We then found out that Swift HAD SOLD IT TO THEM AND THEY WERE GOING TO SELL IT. We hadn't sent any documents, we weren't told this, we still to date haven't recieved the money they were going to send, that they said would get in 10days. So they sold our car without payment, notifying us or the documents. Worst of all we seen our car and somebody had damaged it further. The side of it had now been damaged. What is going on with this company ? Salvage said they would sell it on their net site but wouldn't give us the site. We think a bit of panic set in ! This was last year. The documents were sent to them 3 weeks ago. So what happened to the 10days we have in writting from them? I have a disability and need a car. We need that money. An animal is treated better. They have not comunicated at all to us this year.