Hi! I'm Matt, and although I've had a blog here before, I've deleted it all and started from scratch.
Firstly, a bit about myself. I'm 21, I'm originally from Oldham in Greater Manchester (though we prefer to be classed as Lancashire!), but now living in a village called Ponterwyd, near Aberystwyth, in the Cambrian Mountains in Mid Wales. I work as a barman in the George Borrow Hotel, and do a bit of work on a building site in the village to keep me fit and bring in a bit of extra spending money. Trying to move into self employed computer work at the moment though.
I'm currently in between cars, as I managed to write off my pride and joy a few weeks back, in what could potentially have been a very nasty accident. Lost control of the car going round a bend, and went across the other side of the road, hit the embankment and spun right round. Luckily there wasn't any traffic coming the other way, otherwise I wouldn't be here to talk about it now!
And this brings me nicely onto my first pointless rant! My initial impressions of making a claim with the insurers, Norwich Union, was a good one. The operator in the claims department was helpful, and seemed to be based in a UK call centre. However when I stated that I needed a replacement certificate of insurance, as I had misplaced the original, things took a turn for the worse. I was then passed on to "customer services", who, it seems, are based in India or somewhere in that area. Trying to explain to one of the operators that I needed the certificate within a couple of days was like talking to a brick wall, just could not get the message through.
After being assured that the certificate would be with me within 4 to 5 working days (touch and go as to whether or not I would have it in time to produce my documents for the police), the call ended. Along comes the deadline for producing my documents, and did I have the certificate? Nope. Luckily it seems the police can be quite patient with these matters, and I was given another 7 days to produce.
Then I hear from the motor engineer working on behalf of Norwich Union to assess my car. This phone call restored my faith in the company. After asking if I was ok, he informed me that the vehicle would not be being repaired, and went on to offer me a price for the car. At this point I must add that I had already looked up the value, as previous to the crash I was going to sell the car, as I was going to get myself a nice Discovery Commerical for work. Expecting a lower price to be offered, I was amazed when I was offered nearly £1000 more than the value I had previously been told. I was also assured the cheque would be issued straight away. Excellent, I thought! Haha! Not quite. That was on the Tuesday. On the Friday I then get another phone call, this time once again from one of the wonderful overseas centres. Asking me why I have not yet sent them my documents. Explained that I had been told I would be sent an envelope and a list of documents to send, and that I couldn't really send them back until I recieved them in the first place. Was then told that in that case they would issue the cheque straight away (funny that, 'cos I was under the impression that it was being issued 3 days earlier!). Ok, I suppose it could take longer (providing I do recieve the cheque this week), but it's getting very close to Christmas, and until I get that cheque, I have no way of getting home for Christmas.
And now I also have the joy of car insurance being even more expensive than it was before, thanks to losing my 2 years no claims, and having to declare an accident that is purely down to myself.
Ah well, I'll just try to look forward to being mobile again, despite the cost! So there you go, the first you've heard from me, and all I've done is complain! What a way to start eh? :P
