Is this fair - E55 hit by another car, I get a Micra??
Discussion
On 26th August a camper van ran into the back of my pride and joy - a 2005 Mercedes E55 AMG.
The driver admitted fault straight away and this has been confirmed by his insurer, Admiral, who I am also covered with.
The damage was a bumper, rear panel and boot. I was expecting it to take a week as the bodyshop said "it wasn't that bad" and suggested a 7 day turn around. On this basis I accepted a Nissan Micra car from them. Whilst it is truly truly dreadful (I think it must be a 1 litre CVT model, but haven't checked!) this would have been fine to get to and from work in the short term...but a bit of a squash with 2 kids, double buggy etc. at the weekends...
Three weeks on and still with the Micra, I get a call (yesterday) to say after various delays all was on track to complete tomorrow. 10 minutes later the body shop calls saying they have "ballsed up" and actually not even ordered the bumper which is now going to take 7-10 days to arrive! After some complaining they have agreed to swap the crappy Micra for a Peugeot 208...which I am going to accept as I really can not face the Nissan any more...BUT
Whenever I have spoken to anybody else who has had a similar accident, immediately they have received an equivalent (or better) car paid for by the other party's insurer or via an accident management company. The body shop implied that the reason I wasn't offered this is that we are both insured by Admiral?? My policy says clearly any hire car will not be equivalent, but somehow this just does not seem fair...??
The driver admitted fault straight away and this has been confirmed by his insurer, Admiral, who I am also covered with.
The damage was a bumper, rear panel and boot. I was expecting it to take a week as the bodyshop said "it wasn't that bad" and suggested a 7 day turn around. On this basis I accepted a Nissan Micra car from them. Whilst it is truly truly dreadful (I think it must be a 1 litre CVT model, but haven't checked!) this would have been fine to get to and from work in the short term...but a bit of a squash with 2 kids, double buggy etc. at the weekends...
Three weeks on and still with the Micra, I get a call (yesterday) to say after various delays all was on track to complete tomorrow. 10 minutes later the body shop calls saying they have "ballsed up" and actually not even ordered the bumper which is now going to take 7-10 days to arrive! After some complaining they have agreed to swap the crappy Micra for a Peugeot 208...which I am going to accept as I really can not face the Nissan any more...BUT
Whenever I have spoken to anybody else who has had a similar accident, immediately they have received an equivalent (or better) car paid for by the other party's insurer or via an accident management company. The body shop implied that the reason I wasn't offered this is that we are both insured by Admiral?? My policy says clearly any hire car will not be equivalent, but somehow this just does not seem fair...??
Otispunkmeyer said:
Slightly unfair due to size. They should have given you something like a Mondeo or a vectra. Don't give me this crap about like for like. It's high costs like that that increase premiums. You'll survive a few as a Mondeo man days I'm sure.
Would absolutely love a Mondeo - but I haven't got one - I've got a Micra 
Sounds like I shouldn't complain that they've offered me a Pug 208 and fingers crossed they actually get on an fix my car quickly!!
Thanks for the replies - some interesting views!!
I agree to some extent it is a first world problem and I really would have been OK with a Micra for a week or 10 days but the body shop have made 2 mistakes which have delayed the repair - I was due to collect my car today but they have only just ordered a bumper, 3 weeks after they should have and I bet it will be another 2 weeks till I am back in the Merc.
Anyway, I am accepting a Pug 208 in a few hours so I'm sure that will be better.
Admiral are a cheap insurer and that's why I accepted the quote but I will certainly add hire car cover next time round.
I agree to some extent it is a first world problem and I really would have been OK with a Micra for a week or 10 days but the body shop have made 2 mistakes which have delayed the repair - I was due to collect my car today but they have only just ordered a bumper, 3 weeks after they should have and I bet it will be another 2 weeks till I am back in the Merc.
Anyway, I am accepting a Pug 208 in a few hours so I'm sure that will be better.
Admiral are a cheap insurer and that's why I accepted the quote but I will certainly add hire car cover next time round.
Well I have now swapped the Micra for the Peugeot - albeit it is an 11 plate slightly dog eared and smelly 207 automatic not the 208 as pomised but much better sized for family transport and at least looks and drives like a normal car!! That's all I was after so I am happy!
Saw my car in the yard minus its rear end looking sorry for itself - can't wait to get it back though...
Saw my car in the yard minus its rear end looking sorry for itself - can't wait to get it back though...
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