Insurance not fixing car
Discussion
Some advice how to proceed in the following case would be most welcome.
I've been in a non fault accident where a van revered into may car and caused broken bumper, set off theft alarms and broke rear springs. Apart from the bumper the insurance engineers are claiming the faults may have been coincidental, and there is a chance they were present prior to the accident (i.e. springs have some rust). Obviously that is a total lie. They even got dealer to do half-baked ecu scan to support their claim and are forcing me to collect f
ked car with alarm problem.
What do I do? Get lawyers involved, find another garage that will oppose their conclusions (Where in Glasgow?), not take the car back?...
I thought there was a point for insurance but clearly it is a way of making money and ripping off customers.
I've been in a non fault accident where a van revered into may car and caused broken bumper, set off theft alarms and broke rear springs. Apart from the bumper the insurance engineers are claiming the faults may have been coincidental, and there is a chance they were present prior to the accident (i.e. springs have some rust). Obviously that is a total lie. They even got dealer to do half-baked ecu scan to support their claim and are forcing me to collect f
ked car with alarm problem.What do I do? Get lawyers involved, find another garage that will oppose their conclusions (Where in Glasgow?), not take the car back?...
I thought there was a point for insurance but clearly it is a way of making money and ripping off customers.
When did you last check the condition of the rear springs? It's not very likely they'd fail as a result of a front end whack. If the ends of the springs are corroded where they have broken i.e. there isn't clean metal showing at the point of the snap then that would be very strong evidence that the springs were already snapped before the accident.
I don't really understand what you're saying about the alarm, so the alarm went off (as it should have, presumably) when the car was hit and now it doesn't work after the accident? If that's the case then I'd expect it to be fixed unless again there is evidence of it being faulty before the accident. Depending on the car a fault code read may well show up historic problems with the alarm system.
Suggest you do a bit more checking yourself and find out exactly what evidence they're rejecting the extra work on. Insurance should put you back where you were before the accident but they won't fix everything on the car if there's evidence that it's not related to the accident.
I don't really understand what you're saying about the alarm, so the alarm went off (as it should have, presumably) when the car was hit and now it doesn't work after the accident? If that's the case then I'd expect it to be fixed unless again there is evidence of it being faulty before the accident. Depending on the car a fault code read may well show up historic problems with the alarm system.
Suggest you do a bit more checking yourself and find out exactly what evidence they're rejecting the extra work on. Insurance should put you back where you were before the accident but they won't fix everything on the car if there's evidence that it's not related to the accident.
dtr said:
I've been in a non fault accident where a van revered into may car ... set off theft alarms
...forcing me to collect fked car with alarm problem.
As well as the springs not quite making sense, how does setting the alarm off - which an impact would, because of the movement sensors - cause an "alarm problem"?...forcing me to collect f
ked car with alarm problem.TooMany2cvs said:
As well as the springs not quite making sense, how does setting the alarm off - which an impact would, because of the movement sensors - cause an "alarm problem"?
I have no idea how - could be circuit damage anywhere along impact line. Tailgate not closing quite right? Insurance claim they fixed that but did they really do it right? The alarm keeps going off 1min after locking the car.dtr said:
It was the rear, and handbrake on. Car leant very violently over its suspension at the impact
I cant understand that with a light bit of bumper damage your vehicle has been hit hard enough for it to violently move on its suspension without its rear tyres moving to enable it to snap the suspension. Is it a 2CV??Edit: Spelling correction
On the alarm side of things -
I was in an accident years ago that caused electrical problems (including the alarm not setting), the garage claimed that the car had previously had an small electrical fire and the insurance refused to pay out, I foolishly paid the garage to get an auto electrician to fix it, who bodged it.. BUT what I found once I got the car back was that in the accident a multiplug had popped apart, I traced back from the problems, rear indicators not working, heated rear screen etc using a wiring diagram, why the garage didn't do that I know exactly, because they are fking idiots, they repair body work they aren't a proper garage hence the need for them to get in an auto electrician. I then had to go around the loom and remove all the bodges that had been added.
So the moral of my story don't trust the fkers to fix your car, the car is your property, communicate directly with your insurance company, ask them if the body shop is qualified to look at auto electrics, ask for photo evidence of everything. And continually make it clear that its your car, your property and you will do as you please with it, the issue though will be if the insurance company will pay.
BUT I rejected my car 4 times while it was getting fixed due to various issues, but in the end I ended up sorting most of them myself as the body shop just couldn't fix things properly, lots of the issues where zero cost too, googling a wiring diagram and tracing the track of the loom, rehanging a door, adjusting the headlight fit etc etc. So you have 2 options leave it to the insurance company and the body shop or pay and get it done right.
I was in an accident years ago that caused electrical problems (including the alarm not setting), the garage claimed that the car had previously had an small electrical fire and the insurance refused to pay out, I foolishly paid the garage to get an auto electrician to fix it, who bodged it.. BUT what I found once I got the car back was that in the accident a multiplug had popped apart, I traced back from the problems, rear indicators not working, heated rear screen etc using a wiring diagram, why the garage didn't do that I know exactly, because they are f
king idiots, they repair body work they aren't a proper garage hence the need for them to get in an auto electrician. I then had to go around the loom and remove all the bodges that had been added.So the moral of my story don't trust the f
kers to fix your car, the car is your property, communicate directly with your insurance company, ask them if the body shop is qualified to look at auto electrics, ask for photo evidence of everything. And continually make it clear that its your car, your property and you will do as you please with it, the issue though will be if the insurance company will pay.BUT I rejected my car 4 times while it was getting fixed due to various issues, but in the end I ended up sorting most of them myself as the body shop just couldn't fix things properly, lots of the issues where zero cost too, googling a wiring diagram and tracing the track of the loom, rehanging a door, adjusting the headlight fit etc etc. So you have 2 options leave it to the insurance company and the body shop or pay and get it done right.
So according to your profile you drive a Toledo.
We were in an accident a few years back, stationary at 90 degrees to the road reversing off the drive, the guy hit us at 40 mph. We were static but classed as our fault (a different story but hey ho) anyway the impacting car was a Rover 75 we were in a MK4 fiesta. The fiest was lifted from the ground and rotated 90 degrees to now be parralel with the pavement, he hit us on the rear quarter, on the rear wheel (well just above on his bumper hieght) the rear quater had to be replaced, as did the boot lid along with the wheel and tyre. The spring and shock were both fine, a much heavier impact than the one your have described on what most would cosnder a weaker, less sturdy car, springs just dont snap like that unless already sufficiently weakened!
We were in an accident a few years back, stationary at 90 degrees to the road reversing off the drive, the guy hit us at 40 mph. We were static but classed as our fault (a different story but hey ho) anyway the impacting car was a Rover 75 we were in a MK4 fiesta. The fiest was lifted from the ground and rotated 90 degrees to now be parralel with the pavement, he hit us on the rear quarter, on the rear wheel (well just above on his bumper hieght) the rear quater had to be replaced, as did the boot lid along with the wheel and tyre. The spring and shock were both fine, a much heavier impact than the one your have described on what most would cosnder a weaker, less sturdy car, springs just dont snap like that unless already sufficiently weakened!
geeks said:
So according to your profile you drive a Toledo.
We were in an accident a few years back, stationary at 90 degrees to the road reversing off the drive, the guy hit us at 40 mph. We were static but classed as our fault (a different story but hey ho) anyway the impacting car was a Rover 75 we were in a MK4 fiesta. The fiest was lifted from the ground and rotated 90 degrees to now be parralel with the pavement, he hit us on the rear quarter, on the rear wheel (well just above on his bumper hieght) the rear quater had to be replaced, as did the boot lid along with the wheel and tyre. The spring and shock were both fine, a much heavier impact than the one your have described on what most would cosnder a weaker, less sturdy car, springs just dont snap like that unless already sufficiently weakened!
It's actually my other car - a 2008 Passat. The suspension is very very soft on those so that would explain the extensive leaning.We were in an accident a few years back, stationary at 90 degrees to the road reversing off the drive, the guy hit us at 40 mph. We were static but classed as our fault (a different story but hey ho) anyway the impacting car was a Rover 75 we were in a MK4 fiesta. The fiest was lifted from the ground and rotated 90 degrees to now be parralel with the pavement, he hit us on the rear quarter, on the rear wheel (well just above on his bumper hieght) the rear quater had to be replaced, as did the boot lid along with the wheel and tyre. The spring and shock were both fine, a much heavier impact than the one your have described on what most would cosnder a weaker, less sturdy car, springs just dont snap like that unless already sufficiently weakened!
charltjr said:
OK so the alarm does seem like an issue, exactly what is their evidence that it wasn't caused by the accident?
You need to look at the springs and see if it looks like new or old damage.
Then go from there.
It appears they did a fault scan (and only that) and found a word Alarm Horn (H12) which sits at the front. They disregarded lots of further info and insist I replace that myself.You need to look at the springs and see if it looks like new or old damage.
Then go from there.
I've done full VCDS scan on the car and here is what I found:
Address 46: Central Conv. Labels: 3C0-959-433-46.clb
Part No SW: 3C0 959 433 R HW: 3C0 959 433 R
Component: KSG PQ46 ELV 042 0472
Revision: 00042000 Serial number: VWZCZ000000000
Coding: 0191020051030E763004941570085FCE107801
Shop #: WSC 00670 210 45725
VCID: 397E8CC370D5EBF651-806D
Subsystem 1 - Part No: 1K0 951 605 D
Component: LIN BACKUP HORN H08 9001
Subsystem 2 - Part No: 3C0 951 171 C
Component: Neigungssensor 004 0611
Subsystem 3 - Part No: 3C0 951 171 C
Component: Innenraumueberw.004 0611
3 Faults Found:
01135 - Interior Monitoring Sensors
004 - No Signal/Communication - Intermittent
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00100100
Fault Priority: 4
Fault Frequency: 254
Reset counter: 170
Mileage: 161454 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2015.08.06
Time: 14:53:45
00323 - Vehicle Inclination Sensor (G384)
004 - No Signal/Communication - Intermittent
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00100100
Fault Priority: 4
Fault Frequency: 254
Reset counter: 170
Mileage: 161454 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2015.08.06
Time: 14:53:45
01134 - Alarm Horn (H12)
004 - No Signal/Communication - Intermittent
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00100100
Fault Priority: 4
Fault Frequency: 254
Reset counter: 170
Mileage: 161454 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2015.08.06
Time: 14:53:45
So that's a few different things that can very likely originate from the rear?
Anyway I rejected the repair as the bumper job wasn't clean nor complete. They can have another go and while at it I asked to look at the wiring once again.
HustleRussell said:
If the repair is not up to scratch you have every right to reject it.
but
there is no way this collision caused the spring to snap.
Initially I thought something was bent without looking underneath. As it is snapped due to some rust I may have to concede that point. The alarm in now the main issue and I need to get them to do it. I know it is nightmare to trace it but that shouldn't my problem. While they are at it they need to sort out rear bodywork properly. Tailgate is still not aligned properly, etc.but
there is no way this collision caused the spring to snap.
dtr said:
geeks said:
So according to your profile you drive a Toledo.
We were in an accident a few years back, stationary at 90 degrees to the road reversing off the drive, the guy hit us at 40 mph. We were static but classed as our fault (a different story but hey ho) anyway the impacting car was a Rover 75 we were in a MK4 fiesta. The fiest was lifted from the ground and rotated 90 degrees to now be parralel with the pavement, he hit us on the rear quarter, on the rear wheel (well just above on his bumper hieght) the rear quater had to be replaced, as did the boot lid along with the wheel and tyre. The spring and shock were both fine, a much heavier impact than the one your have described on what most would cosnder a weaker, less sturdy car, springs just dont snap like that unless already sufficiently weakened!
It's actually my other car - a 2008 Passat. The suspension is very very soft on those so that would explain the extensive leaning.We were in an accident a few years back, stationary at 90 degrees to the road reversing off the drive, the guy hit us at 40 mph. We were static but classed as our fault (a different story but hey ho) anyway the impacting car was a Rover 75 we were in a MK4 fiesta. The fiest was lifted from the ground and rotated 90 degrees to now be parralel with the pavement, he hit us on the rear quarter, on the rear wheel (well just above on his bumper hieght) the rear quater had to be replaced, as did the boot lid along with the wheel and tyre. The spring and shock were both fine, a much heavier impact than the one your have described on what most would cosnder a weaker, less sturdy car, springs just dont snap like that unless already sufficiently weakened!
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