Gutted....what to do now?

Gutted....what to do now?

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Discussion

lime1

Original Poster:

365 posts

168 months

Thursday 17th April 2014
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Was coaching at my son's football training this evening when some toscensoredr in a BMW 520 with acres or room to spare managed to reverse into my DBS, Thor. Hit the offside top of front wheel arch putting a split into it and scuffed the alloy. I suppose the saving grace was that there were plenty of witnesses so he couldn't just do a runner. He wasn't the most pleasant large gentleman I've come across. So now I've got to go through the process of a claim against his insurance. I'm insured through Admiral and will be contacting them to start the ball rolling. Is this likely to be a repair or wing replacement? Alloy will also need sorting ?refurb. I presume I should push hard for an approved Aston repairer to do the work as I am not at fault and his insurance will have to cough up (or can they refuse?)? Also it only had Expel Ultimate paint protection film applied to the wing 6 months ago and that will need replacing. That was done by Paintshield in Peterborough and I'd want them to sort it but it would mean either a trip down or getting them to come to the north east. In addition it would probably need time for the paint to cure and then a detail for swirl elimination before re-applying film. It was detailerd prior to applying the film last year. What's the chances of getting all that recovered through his insurance? Any recommendations on where the repair should be done? My local Stratstones AM dealer is closest or push for Works Service? Advice on how to proceed gratefully received.


steveatesh

4,893 posts

163 months

Thursday 17th April 2014
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Oh bummer sorry to hear that, good job you have lots of witnesses rather than a hit and run.

Obviously as the third party here you may have more say in where his insurance do the repair. Up here I'd opt for Aston Service at Beamish as their bodywork is first class - when mine went in for a door ding at the other place ( which they did) they outsourced it and it took two refusals of the quality before they sent it away for a proper job. A warranty door handle was done at Beamish, first class.

I can't comment on the works service thing but look at it this way, Beamish restore and rebuild from old barn finds onwards and I believe they'll not find your bump too big a problem.

The plastic protection may be a little negotiation with their insurance company, say what you want and stick to your guns. You can always consider an accident claims handling company to help. Here is the number of free motor legal but I can't vouch for them I just have their number 0800144 4488.

Hope you get sorted, as ever cars fix, people not so easy. It will be put right, just the hassle in between. Best wishes with it.

Steve

AndyBrew

2,774 posts

218 months

Thursday 17th April 2014
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Explain your requirements very clearly and stick to your guns, ensure you get exactly what you want and do not accept anything less. Collate all of your documentation to back up the application of the film etc. If they start to mess you around tell them you are going to contact an accident management company and will be requesting a replacement car whilst it's all sorted out and will be expecting a vehicle of similar value i.e. another Aston Martin, Ferrari etc.

If that doesn't fire them into action nothing will!

I assume you know some of the witnesses and they will corroborate your story it's amazing what stunts people will pull in these situations especially as you've already stated the guy was a bit of a dick, probably brought on by the fact you have a nice car!

Good luck with it all!

BraceyBoy

36 posts

161 months

Thursday 17th April 2014
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Provided you have proof of purchase of the paint-film and for the detail you should have no problem recovering the cost of both. The basic principle is that you are entitled to be put back into the position you would have been in if the wrong had not occurred. I suggest sending a photocopy of the invoices/bills for the paint film and detail with your insurance claim. You are also entitled to select an appropriate repairer.

V8LM

5,166 posts

208 months

Thursday 17th April 2014
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Need to check your insurance first - whilst you can get it repaired anywhere you wish, there (a) maybe an excess to pay and (b) if the repair doesn't go well you'll have less of a come back.

robgt

2,585 posts

161 months

Thursday 17th April 2014
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Truly horrible thing to have happened.

I would be in touch with Works Service first thing this morning ! They will complete a perfect job for you. Ring Aston Martin Works on 01908 619299. Ask to speak to Simon Clark who is the workshop manager. His mobile No. 07872 990165.

Works Service will only want to restore your DBS to pristine condition, you will not be disappointed.

Little Donkey

1,544 posts

140 months

Thursday 17th April 2014
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Ouch! Really sorry to see that!

Personally, I'd opt for Works Service - it's your car and you have the right to have it repaired wherever you wish. If you have more than one vehicle, getting a loaner may prove to be more difficult. I was honest a couple of years back and said I had access to other cars - this meant that even though the accident wasn't my fault, there was no obligation to provide a car.

However, transportation costs were covered, so if Works is a bit of a schlep for you, don't worry. Have them collect and then in a couple of weeks, enjoy the train journey to be reunited.

bentley01

1,002 posts

135 months

Thursday 17th April 2014
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What a shame JP made worse by the guy being less than sympathetic . Andy's advice looks good just insist on taking the car to the garage of your choice. I am with admiral and they did tell me that I could take a car to a chosen specialist but they did not put it in writing. Good luck and I hope the car is restored to full health very soon.

samson1946

43 posts

121 months

Thursday 17th April 2014
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There are many who are offering you support and commiserations - and I join them. I have used AM Works and they are great. You should get your car fixed by whoever you want - just make your request (to admiral who will represent you) clear and positive and don't let them bully you. AM Works will collect and return the car to you. If for some strange reason you don't succeed, contact a claims company as specified above. Good luck!

Bincenzo

2,606 posts

178 months

Thursday 17th April 2014
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JP, that's just rotten mate, absolutely gutted for you. That said, no one is hurt and the damage is mendable, it's just the nause of getting it sorted. If you need any bombs dropping, let me know. In the meantime, keep smiling. Insist that all is done to your entire satisfaction, regardless of where that may be. And have all evidence handy at all times. Hope it works out as you want it to, just reading about it has made me angry!

paddy328

2,902 posts

184 months

Thursday 17th April 2014
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Sorry to here this has happened. I had a run in with admiral in the past when I had a bmw. They tried to send me to a cheap bodyshop, saying that's how they keep the cost of insurance down, but I told them that I'm legally entitled to take the car anywhere I wanted and in the end, they had to agree (after sending someone out to look at the car) so it went to an approved bodyshop which cost nearly double the price of the cheaper place.

Just make sure you get it done properly and works might be your best bet. It seems Aston approved bodyshops are a bit colour blind there days.

V12woollie

4,363 posts

144 months

Thursday 17th April 2014
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Sorry to hear this news. It is such a bad feeling to see damage like this but it looks minor and I am sure the car will be as good as new once repaired.

I had a previous claim on third party damage to an Audi and I found Admiral were very good indeed at getting it sorted out and keeping me informed. I said where I wanted the repairs to be done and they agreed. They did not provide a car for me as I was told that is only provided if the repair is done at one of their authorised repair centres. The costs were being borne by the third party anyway, but I have had another case where it was my fault and Admiral acted in the same manner with regard to where the repair was done.

Personally, I'd go to Works Service. I am sure Aston approved bodyshops are great (Fix Auto near me have the highest level of AM approval) but Works Service just makes you feel that you are getting the best job done.

drcarrera

791 posts

224 months

Thursday 17th April 2014
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Bad luck!

Another vote for Works Service here. Had mine done there a couple of years ago on a third-party's insurance although needed a bit more work than your's does. The only downside on insisting to go to my preferred repairer was the insurers wouldn't supply me with a loan car while it was being fixed but other than that there was no issue at all. And my car came out looking even better than it did before the prang!

AdamV12V

4,987 posts

176 months

Thursday 17th April 2014
quotequote all
Sorry to hear of your bad news.

I might be missing something here, but where it is repaired is a matter of what the policy is with your insurance company not his - something that should have been agreed with you when you took the policy out. The process is that you claim on your insurance, they send it for repair and pay for it, and then counter claim off his insurance company for the cost (the last bit being easy if he has admitted liability).

One thing for sure is that whenever you claim the only people that end up winning is the insurance company. Just wait until next years renewal - you will have a "no fault" claim which will push up your premium.

Far better to agree with the BMW owner that he pays cash direct for the repair with your local AM dealer, but then if he doesn't want to do that, or cant afford to then it will have to be an insurance job.

Jon1967x

7,175 posts

123 months

Thursday 17th April 2014
quotequote all
AdamV12V said:
Sorry to hear of your bad news.

I might be missing something here, but where it is repaired is a matter of what the policy is with your insurance company not his - something that should have been agreed with you when you took the policy out. The process is that you claim on your insurance, they send it for repair and pay for it, and then counter claim off his insurance company for the cost (the last bit being easy if he has admitted liability).

One thing for sure is that whenever you claim the only people that end up winning is the insurance company. Just wait until next years renewal - you will have a "no fault" claim which will push up your premium.

Far better to agree with the BMW owner that he pays cash direct for the repair with your local AM dealer, but then if he doesn't want to do that, or cant afford to then it will have to be an insurance job.
I'm not sure that's totally true. I was rear ended on the motorway which in turn pushed me into the car in front. Luckily I was the Jam in a Norwich Union sandwich so they took care of everything, they also gave me a loan car while mine was off the road (which wasn't on my insurance policy) and agreed to a main dealer repair. As an innocent 3rd party I think they tend to look after you quite well, not sure why.

I agree about seeing if he'll pay for the repair. A lot of 520 BMWs are company cars which may or may not help him decide, but carry any excess of note and it might be cheaper to pay direct for such a bump. If the panel is salvageable it could be less than £1k of damage. I've just had a quote for a supermarket ding in a door and a front bumper scrape done and it was £200 all in albeit on a BMW and not works service.

But I feel for the OP. There are few worse feeling as a car owner than damage done to your P&J as a result of someone's stupidity.

avinalarf

6,438 posts

141 months

Thursday 17th April 2014
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Sorry to hear of your bad news,a real pain,made worse by the attitude of the tosser that did it
Hope you get it sorted quickly to your satisfaction.
I know someone in Herts that could help but it's probably too far for you.

avinalarf

6,438 posts

141 months

Thursday 17th April 2014
quotequote all
AdamV12V said:
Sorry to hear of your bad news.

I might be missing something here, but where it is repaired is a matter of what the policy is with your insurance company not his - something that should have been agreed with you when you took the policy out. The process is that you claim on your insurance, they send it for repair and pay for it, and then counter claim off his insurance company for the cost (the last bit being easy if he has admitted liability).

One thing for sure is that whenever you claim the only people that end up winning is the insurance company. Just wait until next years renewal - you will have a "no fault" claim which will push up your premium.

Far better to agree with the BMW owner that he pays cash direct for the repair with your local AM dealer, but then if he doesn't want to do that, or cant afford to then it will have to be an insurance job.
No disrespect to Adam but I would not go down the route of asking the bozo to pay cash .
Too many chances of a cock up especially if he is being awkward from the off.

lime1

Original Poster:

365 posts

168 months

Thursday 17th April 2014
quotequote all
Thanks for all the advice and support. I'm off to Stratstones this pm just for them to have a look and advise on what needs doing then onto the insurance and may ask the other guy if he wants to pay direct (think it's unlikely). Fortunately I have receipts for the PPF although may need to get a note off Paddy confirming the detail!! I'll keep you posted.

hashluck

1,611 posts

274 months

Thursday 17th April 2014
quotequote all
avinalarf said:
No disrespect to Adam but I would not go down the route of asking the bozo to pay cash .
Too many chances of a cock up especially if he is being awkward from the off.
+1

Mr Aston Martin

478 posts

159 months

Thursday 17th April 2014
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I had a similar issue except the fault lay with myself.


My insurance company were superb and didn't quibble with my preference. WS took off and resprayed both the bonnet and drivers door together with the new wing to ensure a seamless colour match. I'm a fussy git but the paint job was superb.

I tried to have the wheel dressed but my eye was always caught by the imperfection left by the guys efforts. I ended up buying a discounted new wheel at WS and having it fitted at the same time.

It depends on your AM dealer and who they sub the work out to.