Gouge to Mini roof - what the bloody hell has caused this?
Discussion
405dogvan said:
Getting WAY ahead of ourselves but that's a "depends" question - they generally hate selling cars to customers and generally ask too-much-money for them to deter this.
Is this a recent thing because a few years ago mates have bought back various cars for an absolute pittance.PAUL500 said:
Until they write the cheque and hand it too you, then you still own the car, dont take any messing from them, if you want the car then insist on keeping it along with a settlement, they cannot refuse.
Bearing in mind the OP's claiming off his own insurer - who he already has a contractual relationship with - reading the policy Ts & Cs might be wise before going in all-guns-blazing on that one. If he was claiming off the other insurer - who he DOESN'T have a contractual relationship with - it's a different story.
The shop has said they will check their CCTV camera, but needs to go through a 3rd party so this might take some time.
Tomorrow morning I'm taking my car to a local garage suggested by the insurer for an assessment. Hopefully I'll find out by the end of the day if it's salvageable or not.
Tomorrow morning I'm taking my car to a local garage suggested by the insurer for an assessment. Hopefully I'll find out by the end of the day if it's salvageable or not.
Another update:
Yes, it has been reported to the police, but beyond issuing a crime number they didn't seem interested.
Car has been assessed by a local garage this morning, who will be in touch once they've priced it all up. They took photos and I was able to take the car home again for now.
The only CCTV camera with a view of where I was parked was the shop's one-and-only fake. I've been shown their view, and now know the other three/four working cameras would not have captured the incident.
Yes, it has been reported to the police, but beyond issuing a crime number they didn't seem interested.
Car has been assessed by a local garage this morning, who will be in touch once they've priced it all up. They took photos and I was able to take the car home again for now.
The only CCTV camera with a view of where I was parked was the shop's one-and-only fake. I've been shown their view, and now know the other three/four working cameras would not have captured the incident.
Alistair1990 said:
Another update:
Yes, it has been reported to the police, but beyond issuing a crime number they didn't seem interested.
Car has been assessed by a local garage this morning, who will be in touch once they've priced it all up. They took photos and I was able to take the car home again for now.
The only CCTV camera with a view of where I was parked was the shop's one-and-only fake. I've been shown their view, and now know the other three/four working cameras would not have captured the incident.
Could they have captured the vehicle though elsewhere on the road? - there won't be many that could have caused that going past.Yes, it has been reported to the police, but beyond issuing a crime number they didn't seem interested.
Car has been assessed by a local garage this morning, who will be in touch once they've priced it all up. They took photos and I was able to take the car home again for now.
The only CCTV camera with a view of where I was parked was the shop's one-and-only fake. I've been shown their view, and now know the other three/four working cameras would not have captured the incident.
Admiral has now emailed to say the car is "uneconomical to repair (total loss)" and a salvage company has been instructed to come and take it away.
I've been told if I wish to "retain the salvage" of the car once collected, then changes will apply.
Admiral also state that it is "not our policy to allow" me to buy the car back.
I'm really bloody frustrated by this whole situation, but what can I do now? There are a few items I want to remove (AEM intake [declared], retrimmed steering wheel), but that will mean a trip to the salvage company in Essex.
I'm now waiting for a phone call, where hopefully I'll find out what I'll be paid for it. Almost time for a new 'What car?' thread...
I've been told if I wish to "retain the salvage" of the car once collected, then changes will apply.
Admiral also state that it is "not our policy to allow" me to buy the car back.
I'm really bloody frustrated by this whole situation, but what can I do now? There are a few items I want to remove (AEM intake [declared], retrimmed steering wheel), but that will mean a trip to the salvage company in Essex.
I'm now waiting for a phone call, where hopefully I'll find out what I'll be paid for it. Almost time for a new 'What car?' thread...
That's rubbish news.
With regards to removing stuff, be careful as they will expect it to be as it is declared on your insurance policy.
ETA: don't accept their first offer, they normally do increase it. Do your research on AT & PH for similar mileage /age / condition vehicles to guide you and be prepared to send them proof.
With regards to removing stuff, be careful as they will expect it to be as it is declared on your insurance policy.
ETA: don't accept their first offer, they normally do increase it. Do your research on AT & PH for similar mileage /age / condition vehicles to guide you and be prepared to send them proof.
Alistair1990 said:
I've been told if I wish to "retain the salvage" of the car once collected, then changes will apply.
Admiral also state that it is "not our policy to allow" me to buy the car back.
Inherent contradiction there, isn't there?Admiral also state that it is "not our policy to allow" me to buy the car back.
"We'll charge you to keep the car, plus the costs of transport - but you can't."
Alistair1990 said:
I'm really bloody frustrated by this whole situation, but what can I do now?
You could hide it so they can't collect it until you've removed the bits you want, of course. Or you could cancel the claim.What does the Ts & Cs applicable to your policy say about keeping the salvage in the event of a total loss?
A quick look at Admiral's website finds a wodge of docs that vary according to when your policy was taken out - but a typical one (Feb-June 2016 inception) says only that the car is theirs once they've paid (p34). It doesn't say you can buy it back, it doesn't say you can keep it.
http://www.admiral.com/policyDocs/AD-003-006%20-%2...
If you definitely want that from a policy, you need to buy a policy that explicitly offers it, not just buy on price. Otherwise, it's entirely their decision. As it is, you have a policy that says "If we say it's a write-off, and pay out - at our discretion - then it's our car. Not yours.", which they've added to by saying verbally "No, we don't want to sell it back to you." - which is entirely their choice. They also cancel the policy immediately on a total loss (p33), which some insurers don't.
Alistair1990 said:
Admiral has now emailed to say the car is "uneconomical to repair (total loss)" and a salvage company has been instructed to come and take it away.
I've been told if I wish to "retain the salvage" of the car once collected, then changes will apply.
Admiral also state that it is "not our policy to allow" me to buy the car back.
I'm really bloody frustrated by this whole situation, but what can I do now? There are a few items I want to remove (AEM intake [declared], retrimmed steering wheel), but that will mean a trip to the salvage company in Essex.
I'm now waiting for a phone call, where hopefully I'll find out what I'll be paid for it. Almost time for a new 'What car?' thread...
Don't wait call them now.I've been told if I wish to "retain the salvage" of the car once collected, then changes will apply.
Admiral also state that it is "not our policy to allow" me to buy the car back.
I'm really bloody frustrated by this whole situation, but what can I do now? There are a few items I want to remove (AEM intake [declared], retrimmed steering wheel), but that will mean a trip to the salvage company in Essex.
I'm now waiting for a phone call, where hopefully I'll find out what I'll be paid for it. Almost time for a new 'What car?' thread...
As 2CVs has said their statements are contradictory.
It would be handy at a minimum to keep the car for a while until you can find another and have time to remove your parts - although my offer still stands (depending upon the price)
The car still belongs to you BUT you will need to reach an agreement with the insurer and bear-in-mind they are incurring costs having the car recovered and stored pending sale or destruction (didn't look like a Cat A/B to me!) AND they have procedures they like to follow and don't really like breaking those so work with them.
Once that car arrives in a salvage yard, it's likely stuff will 'go missing'. I got to my Civic the day it was delivered to the yard yet most of the interior leather trim (wheel, gearknob etc.) were already looted (and it had picked-up MORE damage from being forklifted)
If it's NOT been picked-up, go get your personal stuff ASAP - if it has, go to the yard and loot the car ASAP (you'll need to take proof of ownership to the yard)
The insurer will soon make you an offer - NEVER accept the first offer, they will always increase it (sometimes more than once but always at least once)
Be prepared to find examples of cars similar to yours which are for-sale at much higher prices - be prepared to prove the value of any declared modifications on the car - highlight anything unusual in spec/color/features (they just look at MINI prices)
Only once offers have been traded consider throwing buyback of the car into the mix - and be bloody sure you know what it will cost to repair and what it's worth thereafter because they WILL slap a Cat C/D on it and it will be very hard to resell.
Meanwhile, continue trying to find-out what happened because all this is going on your insurance history (affecting premiums for all cars at your address) and hitting your no-claims or protected no-claims 'strike' fund too.
Good Luck!
Once that car arrives in a salvage yard, it's likely stuff will 'go missing'. I got to my Civic the day it was delivered to the yard yet most of the interior leather trim (wheel, gearknob etc.) were already looted (and it had picked-up MORE damage from being forklifted)
If it's NOT been picked-up, go get your personal stuff ASAP - if it has, go to the yard and loot the car ASAP (you'll need to take proof of ownership to the yard)
The insurer will soon make you an offer - NEVER accept the first offer, they will always increase it (sometimes more than once but always at least once)
Be prepared to find examples of cars similar to yours which are for-sale at much higher prices - be prepared to prove the value of any declared modifications on the car - highlight anything unusual in spec/color/features (they just look at MINI prices)
Only once offers have been traded consider throwing buyback of the car into the mix - and be bloody sure you know what it will cost to repair and what it's worth thereafter because they WILL slap a Cat C/D on it and it will be very hard to resell.
Meanwhile, continue trying to find-out what happened because all this is going on your insurance history (affecting premiums for all cars at your address) and hitting your no-claims or protected no-claims 'strike' fund too.
Good Luck!
405dogvan said:
The car still belongs to you BUT you will need to reach an agreement with the insurer and bear-in-mind they are incurring costs having the car recovered and stored pending sale or destruction (didn't look like a Cat A/B to me!) AND they have procedures they like to follow and don't really like breaking those so work with them.
Once that car arrives in a salvage yard, it's likely stuff will 'go missing'. I got to my Civic the day it was delivered to the yard yet most of the interior leather trim (wheel, gearknob etc.) were already looted (and it had picked-up MORE damage from being forklifted)
If it's NOT been picked-up, go get your personal stuff ASAP - if it has, go to the yard and loot the car ASAP (you'll need to take proof of ownership to the yard)
The insurer will soon make you an offer - NEVER accept the first offer, they will always increase it (sometimes more than once but always at least once)
Be prepared to find examples of cars similar to yours which are for-sale at much higher prices - be prepared to prove the value of any declared modifications on the car - highlight anything unusual in spec/color/features (they just look at MINI prices)
Only once offers have been traded consider throwing buyback of the car into the mix - and be bloody sure you know what it will cost to repair and what it's worth thereafter because they WILL slap a Cat C/D on it and it will be very hard to resell.
Meanwhile, continue trying to find-out what happened because all this is going on your insurance history (affecting premiums for all cars at your address) and hitting your no-claims or protected no-claims 'strike' fund too.
Good Luck!
Thanks! Sounds like a solid plan of action.Once that car arrives in a salvage yard, it's likely stuff will 'go missing'. I got to my Civic the day it was delivered to the yard yet most of the interior leather trim (wheel, gearknob etc.) were already looted (and it had picked-up MORE damage from being forklifted)
If it's NOT been picked-up, go get your personal stuff ASAP - if it has, go to the yard and loot the car ASAP (you'll need to take proof of ownership to the yard)
The insurer will soon make you an offer - NEVER accept the first offer, they will always increase it (sometimes more than once but always at least once)
Be prepared to find examples of cars similar to yours which are for-sale at much higher prices - be prepared to prove the value of any declared modifications on the car - highlight anything unusual in spec/color/features (they just look at MINI prices)
Only once offers have been traded consider throwing buyback of the car into the mix - and be bloody sure you know what it will cost to repair and what it's worth thereafter because they WILL slap a Cat C/D on it and it will be very hard to resell.
Meanwhile, continue trying to find-out what happened because all this is going on your insurance history (affecting premiums for all cars at your address) and hitting your no-claims or protected no-claims 'strike' fund too.
Good Luck!
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...
AC43 said:
With insurers it get worse, of course, as they use repairers with high hourly rates and insist on replacing everything with the slightest mark with new parts from the manufacturer etc etc
No they don't, they use repairers who use software like Audatex which spits out a thoroughly itemised breakdown on the full cost of repair with an incredibly low hourly labour rate in return for a huge volume of business for them or their network. Dont listen to the muppets from the insurance company call centre, they are simply trying to hoodwink you. If you still have the car then don't let them collect it, and if you don't then get it back from wherever it is stored asap.
Once it's off to the salvage company you are screwed as they then have you over a barrel.
Bit of good quality waterproof duct tape over the gouge and that car is still fine to use everyday as well. Dig your heels in and sort a decent settlement and retain the car, even if you don't fix it you will easily sell it on as it is and make a nice little profit on top.
Once it's off to the salvage company you are screwed as they then have you over a barrel.
Bit of good quality waterproof duct tape over the gouge and that car is still fine to use everyday as well. Dig your heels in and sort a decent settlement and retain the car, even if you don't fix it you will easily sell it on as it is and make a nice little profit on top.
PAUL500 said:
Dont listen to the muppets from the insurance company call centre, they are simply trying to hoodwink you. If you still have the car then don't let them collect it, and if you don't then get it back from wherever it is stored asap.
Once it's off to the salvage company you are screwed as they then have you over a barrel.
Bit of good quality waterproof duct tape over the gouge and that car is still fine to use everyday as well. Dig your heels in and sort a decent settlement and retain the car, even if you don't fix it you will easily sell it on as it is and make a nice little profit on top.
But, of course, until the insurer takes it, you won't get a payout from them.Once it's off to the salvage company you are screwed as they then have you over a barrel.
Bit of good quality waterproof duct tape over the gouge and that car is still fine to use everyday as well. Dig your heels in and sort a decent settlement and retain the car, even if you don't fix it you will easily sell it on as it is and make a nice little profit on top.
TooMany2cvs said:
PAUL500 said:
Dont listen to the muppets from the insurance company call centre, they are simply trying to hoodwink you. If you still have the car then don't let them collect it, and if you don't then get it back from wherever it is stored asap.
Once it's off to the salvage company you are screwed as they then have you over a barrel.
Bit of good quality waterproof duct tape over the gouge and that car is still fine to use everyday as well. Dig your heels in and sort a decent settlement and retain the car, even if you don't fix it you will easily sell it on as it is and make a nice little profit on top.
But, of course, until the insurer takes it, you won't get a payout from them.Once it's off to the salvage company you are screwed as they then have you over a barrel.
Bit of good quality waterproof duct tape over the gouge and that car is still fine to use everyday as well. Dig your heels in and sort a decent settlement and retain the car, even if you don't fix it you will easily sell it on as it is and make a nice little profit on top.
Impasse said:
TooMany2cvs said:
PAUL500 said:
Dont listen to the muppets from the insurance company call centre, they are simply trying to hoodwink you. If you still have the car then don't let them collect it, and if you don't then get it back from wherever it is stored asap.
Once it's off to the salvage company you are screwed as they then have you over a barrel.
Bit of good quality waterproof duct tape over the gouge and that car is still fine to use everyday as well. Dig your heels in and sort a decent settlement and retain the car, even if you don't fix it you will easily sell it on as it is and make a nice little profit on top.
But, of course, until the insurer takes it, you won't get a payout from them.Once it's off to the salvage company you are screwed as they then have you over a barrel.
Bit of good quality waterproof duct tape over the gouge and that car is still fine to use everyday as well. Dig your heels in and sort a decent settlement and retain the car, even if you don't fix it you will easily sell it on as it is and make a nice little profit on top.
Don't forget to tell the truth when an insurer asks you if you've ever been involved in any collision etc...
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