Just got rear-ended

[mav 1]

Pulled off the A12 heading in to Chelmsford, in the left hand lane up to the roundabout. At front of queue to go onto the roundabout, a guy in a 4x4 to my right pulled on to the r'bout but I couldn't see past/over him so I waited. The guy behind me didn't and there was a load bang.

The guy who hit us seems very nice and apologetic about everything. He had opened his window to hear our engine as we drove off and wanted to keep up - unfortunately we didn't move!

Anyway, the reason for this post:
- The damage seems pretty superficial - a few cracks in the fibreglass of the bumper. Does anyone have an idea on cost for repair - I'm guessing this means the whole rear section need repairing/replacing/respraying?
- Are there any other areas of damage to look for - it was a low-speed shunt, but it was quite a force?
- Does anyone have any recommendations for repairers in the North-West London area (TVR Barnet/TVR Centre/Trimar (whatever they are called now) are closest to us).
- If this can be done away from the insurance companies is that OK, or could there be issues?

Thanks for your help/advice.

Oh, and I also knocked the splitter off on a vicious speed-bump a few hours later. Not a good day!

Edited by mav 1 on Saturday 11th October 23:06

[tegwin]

That is terrible, Im glad to hear you are both ok!

Im no expert, but I would be checking to see if the chassis mounting points for the bodywork have been stressed (looking for stress cracks in the fibreglass around the bolts)...

Would also have to look inside to see how badly the fiberglass has twisted on the inside...Composites are a PITA to diagnose damage...

But I am sure an expert would have no issue...

Best of luck

[Fire99]

This may be little help but i would just get it into a specialist repairer to inspect / quote for the repair and get the insurance to sort it out.

From experience, even relatively minor bumps can affect things underneath..

[kevin63]

mav 1 sorry to here about your bad luck, I had the same last year, a Corsa went in to the back of mine, I too thought it would be a new back end, they just repaired it, cracks were all over but you can't tell now, it will be as new before you know it, because it's a rear ender you should not have to pay anything out at all, you should also be able to get a car from the other insurer and it should be similar to yours, I got a Porker, a Cayman, I hated it and sent it back, I ended up using my Smart car which was a hell of a lot better.
Good Luck mav 1

[dougc]

The usual recommendation under these sorts of circumstances is to give PHer Anniesdad at Europa a shout

[Meatball]

I dont know if this is of any help or not but i had someone bump into my door leaving only a couple of light grazes. 6 months later after the insurance claim and re spray/repair stress cracks have appeared under the paint . Be carefull who does the repairs.

[darkmark07]

If you go to Trimar / TVR Centre they will most likely put the work out to Hilton Coachworks in Bishop's Stortford.

Nice bunch of guys and a very clean and tidy workshop but be prepared to wait a while - they always seem very busy but they're more than happy for you to pop along for a chat and to view the progress of the repair.

I'd take my T350 there again if I needed bodywork doing.

Good luck and hope you're not off the road for too long!

Regards,

Mark

[Dr K]

Sorry to hear your news. In my experience you would be wise to get a really good bodyshop to deal with the repair. at the TVR Centre they would be able to arrange a 'like for like' loan car whilst yours is off the road (probably for many weeks) as long as the third party admits liability.
Hope you get the problem sorted quickly and thankfully nobody was hurt.

[Nevin]

darkmark07 said:

If you go to Trimar / TVR Centre they will most likely put the work out to Hilton Coachworks in Bishop's Stortford.

Nice bunch of guys and a very clean and tidy workshop but be prepared to wait a while - they always seem very busy but they're more than happy for you to pop along for a chat and to view the progress of the repair.

I'd take my T350 there again if I needed bodywork doing.

Good luck and hope you're not off the road for too long!

Regards,

Mark

Got my back end done at Hilton a few years ago. Great job and took about 8 weeks. Insurance paid for it but it was about £6k

[Whitey]

If the TVR Centre are the closest to you, it's a no brainer, take it to them, they will sort it all out on your behalf in a professional friendly manner.

[TvrTone]

I too had the same problem a few weeks ago.

You are entitled to have your car repaired where YOU want to have it done. My car is currently at Surface & Design in Blackpool after recommendations here on PH. It cost the insurance company £600.00 to get it there on a low loader from East Anglia and will cost another £600.00 to get it back. The insurance supplied me with a brand new Porsche Boxster as a courtesy car. And as an added bonus, due to the colour of my car, I am getting a complete respray done, and all the stones chips sorted out. Result in my opinion!

Tony

Edited by TvrTone on Sunday 12th October 15:10

[Zippee]

dougc said:

The usual recommendation under these sorts of circumstances is to give PHer Anniesdad at Europa a shout

Seconded - fantastic service and took all the hassle away from dealing with the insurance companies. Got a new Boxster as a courtesy car as well!

[mav 1]

Thanks for the advice guys.
I've informed my insurance broker - he's set the ball rolling with the insurance company and my legal advice guys (so should get a decent car in the mean-time).

The guy who hit me called to say he has told his insurers it was all his fault and they will do whatever it takes to get my car fixed. Off to the garage for a quote tomorrow.

Hopefully, it'll all get sorted with no stress. It seems strange to say it, but if you ever get hit by anyone then you want to get hit by the guy who hit me!

[pkitchen]

TvrTone, who are you insured with could do with some of that.

Edited by pkitchen on Monday 13th October 14:02

[da_murphster]

I had had a really bad experience with insurance after a lorry reversed over my VX220 and then drove off and denied it was him - police could have resolved it on the spot (rang them and said he was driving past in 5 mins) but instead decided that it happened on a county border so played responsibility tennis with next county.

Keep metiulous records, gather evidence - statements, photos etc.

If its definately going to come off his insurance consider using a 3rd party to sort it out - they will ensure you get everything done correctly and have equal car etc.

Think of everything that might be effected - colour matches, geometry, any armorfend etc

[TvrTone]

pkitchen said:

TvrTone, who are you insured with could do with some of that.

Edited by pkitchen on Monday 13th October 14:02

I am actually insured with Direct Line, but the woman who hit me was with SAGA, who have to say have been brilliant.

Tony

[mav 1]

Off to get a quote today.

Had the other guy's insurer call - they want to take over the claim settle all of it and are happy with using my garage (they will even supply a :shudder: Porsche 911 as a replacement).

Should I still go through my legal cover company, or do you think it is best to just go through their insurance company?

[Zippee]

mav 1 said:

Off to get a quote today.

Had the other guy's insurer call - they want to take over the claim settle all of it and are happy with using my garage (they will even supply a :shudder: Porsche 911 as a replacement).

Should I still go through my legal cover company, or do you think it is best to just go through their insurance company?

I think if they are being so helpful at this stage I'd go with them, especially if they're prepared to give you a 911 as well. Chances are it'll be new (so 997) and worth a heck of lot more than the Chim.