Hello, I'm a female motorist who knows nothing about cars, engines, etc., so I'd appreciate some assistance or advice.
I own a 2011 Landrover discovery Landmark with a 3ltr engine and a lengthy service record (mostly performed by Landrover).
Earlier in the year, I was driving home on a country road with screaming children and loud music to drown them out when I encountered a large car travelling at approximately 60 miles per hour. I braked hard and drove my car up onto the country verge, which you can imagine had bushes and other obstacles on it. When it became apparent that the sound was emanating from my car, I turned down the radio to confirm, and I thought I must have struck the dirt flap onto the tyre, but then the car shut down. The AA eventually came to my aid (another tale) and towed the vehicle to my local, highly reputable garage. The AA lad did inform me that the engine was frozen and that there was oil underneath it, which is never a positive sign. The garage also informed me that the car's engine and undercarriage were seized.
After detailing what had occurred, I was instructed to contact the insurance company, which was not in my name. This was a lengthy process, but the car was eventually returned to them. The vehicle was then subjected to a diagnostic examination, which revealed the following: "Non-Start Metal in oil filter SUSPECT engine failure vehicle not in shop to perform full VHC"
After months of silence from the insurance company and hundreds of hours of phone calls, they have returned to say that they will not cover the cost of the engine because it was mechanical and not accident-related.
kudos if you're still paying attention... my concern is, are they tuning out?
How can I prove the relationship between the engine and the accident if they deny it?
what are my subsequent steps?