Reversed into, what next?
Discussion
Basic stuff here, folks; but this is the first time I’ve been involved in a (small) accident involving insurers.
Yesterday, I was reversed into at a drive-thru by the gent in front, who decided to get out of the line which was moving slowly..
I do understand how it is easy to do - the way these lines snake around, my bumper probably wasn’t obviously visible in his rear view mirror, and he didn’t check the left wing mirror. Anyway, not judging, we all cock-up now and then. He was understandably mortified. We exchanged details, he’s admitted liability and the service station have CCTV that they’ll share with the insurers.
My car is a 981 Cayman. By the look of it, we’ll need a new bumper according to a cursory glance by a mechanic I visited yesterday when MOT’ing my other car. The running light hasn’t gone back into the condenser and the headlights aren’t cracked. As an added complication, it’s metallic black but wrapped in red, so presumably it’ll need more panels unwrapping to match the paint first, then re-wrapping or de-wrapping the entire car. I’m happy with either as the wrap is due off next year anyway.
My question is, how to proceed? I’m new to all this, so guidance would be appreciated. I understand that I may lose my no-claims if I go via my insurers, and may need to pay the excess. Is an accident management company a better shout? If so, can anyone recommend one?
I’ve no wish to make this chap’s life any harder than necessary; I just want to protect my own interests in getting the car sorted to the right standard.
Here’s a pic for fun. Thanks all
Yesterday, I was reversed into at a drive-thru by the gent in front, who decided to get out of the line which was moving slowly..
I do understand how it is easy to do - the way these lines snake around, my bumper probably wasn’t obviously visible in his rear view mirror, and he didn’t check the left wing mirror. Anyway, not judging, we all cock-up now and then. He was understandably mortified. We exchanged details, he’s admitted liability and the service station have CCTV that they’ll share with the insurers.
My car is a 981 Cayman. By the look of it, we’ll need a new bumper according to a cursory glance by a mechanic I visited yesterday when MOT’ing my other car. The running light hasn’t gone back into the condenser and the headlights aren’t cracked. As an added complication, it’s metallic black but wrapped in red, so presumably it’ll need more panels unwrapping to match the paint first, then re-wrapping or de-wrapping the entire car. I’m happy with either as the wrap is due off next year anyway.
My question is, how to proceed? I’m new to all this, so guidance would be appreciated. I understand that I may lose my no-claims if I go via my insurers, and may need to pay the excess. Is an accident management company a better shout? If so, can anyone recommend one?
I’ve no wish to make this chap’s life any harder than necessary; I just want to protect my own interests in getting the car sorted to the right standard.
Here’s a pic for fun. Thanks all
The wrap will add a complication at a guess no experience myself but you are going to have to be on top of that to make sure they remove the existing wrap paint it properly and then re wrap it, can you even put a wrap on fresh paint and not risk damage to the paint?
If i was in your position I would contact his insurer first and tell them what's happened as they will be very willing to assist directly to avoid additional costs and that way you shouldn't pay an excess but you still need to notify your own insurer.
If i was in your position I would contact his insurer first and tell them what's happened as they will be very willing to assist directly to avoid additional costs and that way you shouldn't pay an excess but you still need to notify your own insurer.
If he’s admitted liability you’re off to a good start, providing he didn’t change his tune when telling his insurer. That is key to how it is handled going forwards, providing they’re honest. Since the damage is on the front of your car in a line of cars, it is of course plausible they will deny fault. Speak with his insurer, or your own before involving accident management companies. The cctv will help if they share it, but I thought places were normally unhelpful in that regards.
My wife was driven into by a truck in Birmingham, and their insurance dealt with everything. It was clearly his fault anyway, so there was no comeback. I called them with the information shared and the indicated liability, and they handled everything in an online portal, including renting an Enterprise vehicle for a week whilst it was repaired. All I had to do was a tell my insurer we had a non fault claim that I was telling them about for information. I don’t have an idea of any impact that has to our price, since we haven’t reached renewal.
My wife was driven into by a truck in Birmingham, and their insurance dealt with everything. It was clearly his fault anyway, so there was no comeback. I called them with the information shared and the indicated liability, and they handled everything in an online portal, including renting an Enterprise vehicle for a week whilst it was repaired. All I had to do was a tell my insurer we had a non fault claim that I was telling them about for information. I don’t have an idea of any impact that has to our price, since we haven’t reached renewal.
Edited by tvrfan007 on Saturday 13th August 07:54
I was parked at a friend’s house and his neighbour scratched my bumper when he drove off! He admitted liability and offered to pay for the repair. I took my car to BMW (Vertu) for a quote and they said they would deal with the claim without me having to go through my insurer. As the cost of repair was far more than the TP’s excess we proceeded via this route. I even got a Merc C class for a week and a half whilst the repair was carried out. As far as my insurance document states I need to declare the ‘incident’ before next renewal. Might be worth asking Porsche if they can do the same?
Thanks for the swift replies, folks. It sounds like the most efficient way is to go straight to their insurers - or perhaps approach Porsche or other competent shop to do the same…
My main concern is making sure the paint is up to scratch and matches with the rest of the car, so maybe unwrapping the whole thing is a more practical solution, as they’ll need to unwrap some more panels to match the bumper paint. To be honest I don’t even know if that sort of pragmatic approach is something they’ll entertain - it just seems like a more sensible, trusted outcome, rather than removing the wrap next year having not seen the repair underneath, and unearthing a shabby job..
My main concern is making sure the paint is up to scratch and matches with the rest of the car, so maybe unwrapping the whole thing is a more practical solution, as they’ll need to unwrap some more panels to match the bumper paint. To be honest I don’t even know if that sort of pragmatic approach is something they’ll entertain - it just seems like a more sensible, trusted outcome, rather than removing the wrap next year having not seen the repair underneath, and unearthing a shabby job..
Notify both your insurance company and his insurance company.
I presume you declared the wrap to them?
Your car will be assessed by someone to check what the damage is and the repair to be undertaken.
The car will be repaired. My only advice is to check what body repair shop they are offering and if ok no issue but if it is just a second rate under the arches place then tell them where you want it to go to.
The front bumper will be replaced and painted but you won’t be able to put the wrap on it for at least 30 days as this is the minimum curing time for the paint to harden.
Would guess that the other areas with the wrap that aren’t damaged ie say the wing will not be unwrapped as that will increase the costs. So you won’t know how good the paint match is.
You may have a really good insurance company that understands wraps and will cover the cost of removing the wrap on the front end to get the paint spot on but unless this was agreed when you took the policy out then chances are it won’t happen.
I presume you declared the wrap to them?
Your car will be assessed by someone to check what the damage is and the repair to be undertaken.
The car will be repaired. My only advice is to check what body repair shop they are offering and if ok no issue but if it is just a second rate under the arches place then tell them where you want it to go to.
The front bumper will be replaced and painted but you won’t be able to put the wrap on it for at least 30 days as this is the minimum curing time for the paint to harden.
Would guess that the other areas with the wrap that aren’t damaged ie say the wing will not be unwrapped as that will increase the costs. So you won’t know how good the paint match is.
You may have a really good insurance company that understands wraps and will cover the cost of removing the wrap on the front end to get the paint spot on but unless this was agreed when you took the policy out then chances are it won’t happen.
Canon_Fodder said:
OP, just to check, you declared the wrap to your insurers?
I did. As an aside, the third party also did request that I get a repair quote - to possibly settle with cash. Whilst I’m ok with the idea of that, I’m cognisant of the time dragging on - is there a time limit on approaching either my or their insurers if getting a quote drags on? I’m happy to be helpful to this guy, but don’t want to shoot myself in the foot. My policy states ‘ASAP’ if that’s the route I take, the third party is covered by Adrian Flux.
You might find the cost of this is quite high for a cash deal.
The parts and work will be quite a lot when it is all added together.
I had someone catch the bumper of my old 911 C4S.
Easy repair which a smart repair could have done.
The other party would not pay the £120 so we went through the insurance.
My company used an accident management company who brought me a loan car of like for like which ended up being a brand new 911 Turbo, took my car to be repaired, brought my car back after two weeks all done and left the Turbo with me to use until they could collect it. So me and the Mrs were out and about in both cars.
The cost must have been thousands for a simple scrape on the corner of the bumper.
The parts and work will be quite a lot when it is all added together.
I had someone catch the bumper of my old 911 C4S.
Easy repair which a smart repair could have done.
The other party would not pay the £120 so we went through the insurance.
My company used an accident management company who brought me a loan car of like for like which ended up being a brand new 911 Turbo, took my car to be repaired, brought my car back after two weeks all done and left the Turbo with me to use until they could collect it. So me and the Mrs were out and about in both cars.
The cost must have been thousands for a simple scrape on the corner of the bumper.
Royal Jelly said:
Canon_Fodder said:
OP, just to check, you declared the wrap to your insurers?
I did. As an aside, the third party also did request that I get a repair quote - to possibly settle with cash. Whilst I’m ok with the idea of that, I’m cognisant of the time dragging on - is there a time limit on approaching either my or their insurers if getting a quote drags on? I’m happy to be helpful to this guy, but don’t want to shoot myself in the foot. My policy states ‘ASAP’ if that’s the route I take, the third party is covered by Adrian Flux.
Canon_Fodder said:
OP, just to check, you declared the wrap to your insurers?
This!! ^^^^^If you haven't declared the wrap and colour change on both your insurance and log book then there's room for insurance companies to wriggle out of a claim.
I'd strongly advise against using a claim management company, our Focus was scuffed by another car trying to park, bear in mind that the car was 12 years old and all the alloys scuffed, the driver of the other car caught the edge of the tyre and left a small scuff on it, the only real damage was a paint scuff on the driver's side front wing, not even a dent, but the management company insisted on a full alignment check and having the wheel refurbished, the cost of the hire car was more than our car was worth!!!
Bobberoo said:
This!! ^^^^^
If you haven't declared the wrap and colour change on both your insurance and log book then there's room for insurance companies to wriggle out of a claim.
I'd strongly advise against using a claim management company, our Focus was scuffed by another car trying to park, bear in mind that the car was 12 years old and all the alloys scuffed, the driver of the other car caught the edge of the tyre and left a small scuff on it, the only real damage was a paint scuff on the driver's side front wing, not even a dent, but the management company insisted on a full alignment check and having the wheel refurbished, the cost of the hire car was more than our car was worth!!!
It’s all declared and in the change is in the logbook. It’s just an added layer of complication with the repair I guess. If you haven't declared the wrap and colour change on both your insurance and log book then there's room for insurance companies to wriggle out of a claim.
I'd strongly advise against using a claim management company, our Focus was scuffed by another car trying to park, bear in mind that the car was 12 years old and all the alloys scuffed, the driver of the other car caught the edge of the tyre and left a small scuff on it, the only real damage was a paint scuff on the driver's side front wing, not even a dent, but the management company insisted on a full alignment check and having the wheel refurbished, the cost of the hire car was more than our car was worth!!!
I am aware that my insurance may palm me off to a management company, but at that point the third party insurance costs may spiral but that’s largely out of my hands. I just want a decent repair done with minimum fuss.
Dark Star said:
You might find the cost of this is quite high for a cash deal.
The parts and work will be quite a lot when it is all added together.
I had someone catch the bumper of my old 911 C4S.
Easy repair which a smart repair could have done.
The other party would not pay the £120 so we went through the insurance.
My company used an accident management company who brought me a loan car of like for like which ended up being a brand new 911 Turbo, took my car to be repaired, brought my car back after two weeks all done and left the Turbo with me to use until they could collect it. So me and the Mrs were out and about in both cars.
The cost must have been thousands for a simple scrape on the corner of the bumper.
Thanks for the info. I suspect there’s not much I can do to mitigate those costs in reality. The parts and work will be quite a lot when it is all added together.
I had someone catch the bumper of my old 911 C4S.
Easy repair which a smart repair could have done.
The other party would not pay the £120 so we went through the insurance.
My company used an accident management company who brought me a loan car of like for like which ended up being a brand new 911 Turbo, took my car to be repaired, brought my car back after two weeks all done and left the Turbo with me to use until they could collect it. So me and the Mrs were out and about in both cars.
The cost must have been thousands for a simple scrape on the corner of the bumper.
Royal Jelly said:
Dark Star said:
You might find the cost of this is quite high for a cash deal.
The parts and work will be quite a lot when it is all added together.
I had someone catch the bumper of my old 911 C4S.
Easy repair which a smart repair could have done.
The other party would not pay the £120 so we went through the insurance.
My company used an accident management company who brought me a loan car of like for like which ended up being a brand new 911 Turbo, took my car to be repaired, brought my car back after two weeks all done and left the Turbo with me to use until they could collect it. So me and the Mrs were out and about in both cars.
The cost must have been thousands for a simple scrape on the corner of the bumper.
Thanks for the info. I suspect there’s not much I can do to mitigate those costs in reality. The parts and work will be quite a lot when it is all added together.
I had someone catch the bumper of my old 911 C4S.
Easy repair which a smart repair could have done.
The other party would not pay the £120 so we went through the insurance.
My company used an accident management company who brought me a loan car of like for like which ended up being a brand new 911 Turbo, took my car to be repaired, brought my car back after two weeks all done and left the Turbo with me to use until they could collect it. So me and the Mrs were out and about in both cars.
The cost must have been thousands for a simple scrape on the corner of the bumper.
Glad to see you declared the wrap, it will make things simpler.
Bobberoo said:
It's downright scary just how quickly the costs spiral, it took an extra 10 days due to them insisting on refurbing the wheel due to it being diamond cut, looked bloody silly with one perfect wheel and three kerbed wheels!!!
Glad to see you declared the wrap, it will make things simpler.
Yeah I’ve got a limited appetite for a lengthy version of what should be fairly simple. I’ve just spoken to a reputable specialist who seems to have a sensible approach to things - he’ll quote it and deal with the third party insurance and I’ll end up just paying to unwrap the rest of the car a year early which is no great shakes. That way there’s a matched paint job..Glad to see you declared the wrap, it will make things simpler.
Royal Jelly said:
Yeah I’ve got a limited appetite for a lengthy version of what should be fairly simple. I’ve just spoken to a reputable specialist who seems to have a sensible approach to things - he’ll quote it and deal with the third party insurance and I’ll end up just paying to unwrap the rest of the car a year early which is no great shakes. That way there’s a matched paint job..
It seems a little unfair that you have to have the wrap removed early - but the insurance company may well have a moan if you present them with a bill for removing and re-applying a wrap. I’d also imagine there’s some kind of ‘curing’ time for the new paintwork where it can’t be wrapped, but I might be wrong on that point…
mattyprice4004 said:
It seems a little unfair that you have to have the wrap removed early - but the insurance company may well have a moan if you present them with a bill for removing and re-applying a wrap.
I’d also imagine there’s some kind of ‘curing’ time for the new paintwork where it can’t be wrapped, but I might be wrong on that point…
Exactly - and what’s most important is the colour match. It’s metallic black so not the easiest to match, so unwrapping is probably a price worth paying. If I’m completely honest it doesn’t bother me taking the wrap off. I like the colour (carmine red) but much prefer the finish and ability to look after paint properly so I’m happy to weather that cost. I’d also imagine there’s some kind of ‘curing’ time for the new paintwork where it can’t be wrapped, but I might be wrong on that point…
And yes, you’re right - I think it’s a few weeks curing time before a wrap can go on.
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