Gouge to Mini roof - what the bloody hell has caused this?
Discussion
Alistair1990 said:
Thanks! Sounds like a solid plan of action.
I've been looking at similar cars in the classified and the range of prices is quite surprising. In my favour, mine has features like the JCW body, sat-nav, panoramic sunroof, half leather, auto climate and the £300 AEM kit I mentioned earlier. Hopefully this all gives me some ammunition to get the offer price up a bit. I also now need to get a load of quotes on what it could cost to fix - not too easy when I'm stuck in the office all day.
And to your final point, this was my first car so I'd no no-claims to lose. I suspect my next insurance quote will be interesting...
Another bit of slightly more leftfield advice - you are not obliged to make a claim at this point.I've been looking at similar cars in the classified and the range of prices is quite surprising. In my favour, mine has features like the JCW body, sat-nav, panoramic sunroof, half leather, auto climate and the £300 AEM kit I mentioned earlier. Hopefully this all gives me some ammunition to get the offer price up a bit. I also now need to get a load of quotes on what it could cost to fix - not too easy when I'm stuck in the office all day.
And to your final point, this was my first car so I'd no no-claims to lose. I suspect my next insurance quote will be interesting...
You could choose to simply collect the car and have it repaired yourself. They may levy a fee for collection/storage etc. but you can normally haggle-around that a bit (act soon tho, that cost rises daily)
Upside of this approach is the car remains Category-free/non-Salvage - but obviously you have to be prepared to pay for the repairs so you need a price.
I'm guessing they've taken it to a repairer (to decide it's a write-off) - you are within your rights to ask to see the repairer's report. Official reports use full-price dealer parts and expensive rate labour - you will be able to repair the car for probably 75% of the parts/labour cost (less if you go pattern/salvage or DIY bits) and if you use that bodyshop (if they accept private work) you could even highlight that they've already been paid for inspection/storage and get the price down further.
GL again!
Edited by 405dogvan on Friday 3rd June 01:23
TooMany2cvs said:
Don't forget to tell the truth when an insurer asks you if you've ever been involved in any collision etc...
He can honestly say he's not been in a collision - and that he's not made a claim if he goes that route too...I honestly have no idea if it's wise - if a 'repair' is £500 then yeah, £1500 then 'erm' and so-on.
Edited by 405dogvan on Friday 3rd June 01:44
Unfortunately they've probably declared it a cat. B, in which case you can't retain the salvage under their code of conduct. Canceling the claim might not do you any good if they've already notified the DVLA of the write-off status.
Speak to the claims dept and see what category they've issued, but if it's a B don't expect to be able to retrain our buy any of it back (this has happened to me).
Speak to the claims dept and see what category they've issued, but if it's a B don't expect to be able to retrain our buy any of it back (this has happened to me).
405dogvan said:
TooMany2cvs said:
Don't forget to tell the truth when an insurer asks you if you've ever been involved in any collision etc...
He can honestly say he's not been in a collisionIf you're saying "Ah, but he personally wasn't", then that's any collision when the car's parked suddenly deniable.
Someone hit my car head on, the damage was estimated at around £1500 to repair which made it an economic write off, even though it was perfectly drivable.
I spoke to the insurance company, offered to handle the repair myself and they gave me a cheque for £1500 less VAT, the damage was not recorded and I fixed it myself for minimal outlay.
This was after I had turned the tow truck away when they came to collect it, without informing me, they also said at first I could not keep the wreck.
What swung it for me I think was that by giving me the money they were able to avoid paying for storage, hire cars and auction expenses.
I spoke to the insurance company, offered to handle the repair myself and they gave me a cheque for £1500 less VAT, the damage was not recorded and I fixed it myself for minimal outlay.
This was after I had turned the tow truck away when they came to collect it, without informing me, they also said at first I could not keep the wreck.
What swung it for me I think was that by giving me the money they were able to avoid paying for storage, hire cars and auction expenses.
405dogvan said:
He can honestly say he's not been in a collision - and that he's not made a claim if he goes that route too...
I honestly have no idea if it's wise - if a 'repair' is £500 then yeah, £1500 then 'erm' and so-on.
Doesn't get him around the "or suffered any motoring losses..." bit of the question though does it? This is totally declarable and will now be logged firmly in their system, even if OP cancels the claim.I honestly have no idea if it's wise - if a 'repair' is £500 then yeah, £1500 then 'erm' and so-on.
Edited by 405dogvan on Friday 3rd June 01:44
I've settled. My insurer valued the car at £5k after some haggling, of which they will give me £3.5k now, leaving me to fix the car myself. If I cannot find an economic way to fix it, then I can call up and arrange for the car to be scrapped, then given the remaining £1.5k of its value. My insurance policy continues as it did, but no doubt I'll need to shop around come renewal in a few months' time.
I'm fairly happy with the outcome and am confident I can fix it for a sensible price.
Now, who knows a good body shop...?
I'm fairly happy with the outcome and am confident I can fix it for a sensible price.
Now, who knows a good body shop...?
Edited by Alistair1990 on Sunday 5th June 10:55
Excellent result for you, and you still have a set of wheels to use in the meantime until you get it repaired.
As I said all along people should not be bullied by the call handlers or the tosh they spout. Well done you.
I would buy that car from you for £1500 as it stands, all day long, as would many others so dont go handing it back.
As I said all along people should not be bullied by the call handlers or the tosh they spout. Well done you.
I would buy that car from you for £1500 as it stands, all day long, as would many others so dont go handing it back.
Easternlight said:
lord trumpton said:
OP - iirc the mini roof is a cosmetic item, made of grp.
Please don't take this wrong, but have a look at the picture on page 1. That doesn't look like GRP.
Yeah I agree looking at it on the laptop its a metal skin with black gelcoat.
I still beleive it's not a welded structural item; there is a 'real' metal roof skin underneath
lord trumpton said:
None taken
Yeah I agree looking at it on the laptop its a metal skin with black gelcoat.
I still beleive it's not a welded structural item; there is a 'real' metal roof skin underneath
Agreed. There is a clear gap between the damaged outer skin and what I guess is the actual roof (or at least the structural bit) underneath. While the skin is punctured, the inner roof only has a small groove in it, a couple of inches long.Yeah I agree looking at it on the laptop its a metal skin with black gelcoat.
I still beleive it's not a welded structural item; there is a 'real' metal roof skin underneath
Alistair1990 said:
shake n bake said:
I know a very good man who would turn that around without any bother, where are you based?
I'm based in south west London, near Wimbledon. But with family in Surrey, Manchester and West Yorkshire I'm willing to travel.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff