[WillowTheWhisp]

We should also get tough on those who submit fraudulent claims.

Not car insurance but we had interesting little experience some years ago when we had a roof blown off type flood. We contacted the insurance company, as you do, and they gave us a number to phone to get a firm out who would sort out ALL the required repairs and then bill the insurance company. Sounds good doesn't it? Far less hassle for us. We thought so too.

Then they came. We could apparently get an interim payout so we could buy immediate necessities - the repair company suggested that we add onto that some details of work that they had already done - like replastering the dining room ceiling and reflooring the bathroom. Pardon? What replastering? What flooring? They hadn't done anything! They were expecting to get paid for something that didn't even need doing!! This was the company which had the insurance approval, nay more than approval. The insurance company had sent them to us!

I phoned the insurance company and told them what had been suggested - they told us to send the repair people packing and to get in some workmen of our own and send them the bills.