Insurance claim
Discussion
Just been discussing my claim with my insurer. This was particularly tedious as I could barely hear or understand what they said, my s
te phone probably not helping matters but typical call centre crap.
They have told me that unless I get the repairs done at a bodyshop on their approved list if there is a problem in the future with the repairs I cannot claim again on the insurance. Fair enough I suppose but I'm planning to use a Lotus approved bodyshop which is more than the nearest place approved by the insurance company can boast! They neglected to tell me this 3 days ago before I went round and got a quote of course
I was also told that I cannot have a courtesy car unless I use an approved bodyshop. I fail to see the reason for this and neither could the numpty on the phone offer an explanation. Is this normal? Fair?
Is it worth enlisting a claims company? I don't really want to as would rather not bump up the value of the claim unnecessarily and have as much money as possible spent putting the car right if you see what I mean.
te phone probably not helping matters but typical call centre crap.They have told me that unless I get the repairs done at a bodyshop on their approved list if there is a problem in the future with the repairs I cannot claim again on the insurance. Fair enough I suppose but I'm planning to use a Lotus approved bodyshop which is more than the nearest place approved by the insurance company can boast! They neglected to tell me this 3 days ago before I went round and got a quote of course
I was also told that I cannot have a courtesy car unless I use an approved bodyshop. I fail to see the reason for this and neither could the numpty on the phone offer an explanation. Is this normal? Fair?
Is it worth enlisting a claims company? I don't really want to as would rather not bump up the value of the claim unnecessarily and have as much money as possible spent putting the car right if you see what I mean.
I would consider getting a lease car through (drive assist or enterprise) and billing her insurance.
With regards choice of body shops sounds a bit weird, and I wish I had picked the bodyshops used to repair my cars in the past. a bit of googling may help with it, but I would say surely her insurance is paying not yours, so it shouldn't matter where it goes.
if possible it may be worth you not including your insurance company and dealing with hers direct.
With regards choice of body shops sounds a bit weird, and I wish I had picked the bodyshops used to repair my cars in the past. a bit of googling may help with it, but I would say surely her insurance is paying not yours, so it shouldn't matter where it goes.
if possible it may be worth you not including your insurance company and dealing with hers direct.
Edited by TheArchitect on Wednesday 27th January 16:22
fk it John, just whack it through a claims company like Europa Consultants. It's non fault (assuming this is the reversing car at night thing), they will get you a comparable car (not some stty Micra) to play in and you can choose your own repairer, it's going on the TP's policy not yours so I can't see why your own insurance are bothered about the courtesy car bit but it's probably standard practice (just in case it later turns out to be not so clear cut and they get stiffed with a bill). I can understand them not wanting to warranty work from a garage they don't know, but then the garage you use will warranty their work anyway I guess so not really an issue.
k it John, just whack it through a claims company like Europa Consultants. It's non fault (assuming this is the reversing car at night thing), they will get you a comparable car (not some stty Micra) to play in and you can choose your own repairer, it's going on the TP's policy not yours so I can't see why your own insurance are bothered about the courtesy car bit but it's probably standard practice (just in case it later turns out to be not so clear cut and they get stiffed with a bill). I can understand them not wanting to warranty work from a garage they don't know, but then the garage you use will warranty their work anyway I guess so not really an issue. TheArchitect said:
I would consider getting a lease car through (drive assist or enterprise) and billing her insurance.
With regards choice of body shops sounds a bit weird, and I wish I had picked the bodyshops used to repair my cars in the past. a bit of googling may help with it, but I would say surely her insurance is paying not yours, so it shouldn't matter where it goes.
Exactly. My insurance company didn't seem to mind when I contacted them originally either. IMO it is critical that the repairs are done at a recognised and reputable bodyshop for a car like this. WTF do some places know about repairing fibreglass?With regards choice of body shops sounds a bit weird, and I wish I had picked the bodyshops used to repair my cars in the past. a bit of googling may help with it, but I would say surely her insurance is paying not yours, so it shouldn't matter where it goes.
TheArchitect said:
if possible it may be worth you not including your insurance company and dealing with hers direct.
Already too late for that. I didn't realise I could go straight to hers (not even sure I can as my car did hit another car? albeit it was pushed!). I've never done this before.Edited by TheArchitect on Wednesday 27th January 16:22
Tbh the person I have just spoken sounded like such an idiot I'm not even sure I trust what they said!
Robatr0n said:
John, before you do anymore contact anniesdad. He seems to have helped quite a few PHers and offered some very good advice to my uncle after his car was struck by a council van.
Although I didn't use anniesdad in the end he was very helpful when I spoke to him about my claim so would recommend contacting him.touching cloth said:
fk it John, just whack it through a claims company like Europa Consultants. It's non fault (assuming this is the reversing car at night thing), they will get you a comparable car (not some stty Micra) to play in and you can choose your own repairer, it's going on the TP's policy not yours so I can't see why your own insurance are bothered about the courtesy car bit but it's probably standard practice (just in case it later turns out to be not so clear cut and they get stiffed with a bill). I can understand them not wanting to warranty work from a garage they don't know, but then the garage you use will warranty their work anyway I guess so not really an issue.
My gut feeling too. Call centre monkey could'nt give me any kind of explanation nor answer other questions I raised as "it wasn't her department". k it John, just whack it through a claims company like Europa Consultants. It's non fault (assuming this is the reversing car at night thing), they will get you a comparable car (not some stty Micra) to play in and you can choose your own repairer, it's going on the TP's policy not yours so I can't see why your own insurance are bothered about the courtesy car bit but it's probably standard practice (just in case it later turns out to be not so clear cut and they get stiffed with a bill). I can understand them not wanting to warranty work from a garage they don't know, but then the garage you use will warranty their work anyway I guess so not really an issue. Am slightly wary of shooting myself in the foot with regards the value of the claim against the value of my car. Or am I being paranoid?
Robatr0n said:
John, before you do anymore contact anniesdad. He seems to have helped quite a few PHers and offered some very good advice to my uncle after his car was struck by a council van.
Cheers, good advice. I have seen his name trotted out so many times but it hadn't lodged in my memory enough to think I could do with using them myself! 
Anniesdad is Europa Consultants I mentioned too - deffo give them/him a call, they are very helpful and will advise what you can do and can't do now that your insurers are in the loop. Pretty sure they will still be able to take over the claim. Don't worry about write off concerns due to a mounting bill, as it's non fault I am pretty sure you can simply insist on a repair regardless and they have to lump it - the only scenario where their insurers can insist on write off I think is if it was to be considered too dangerous to put back on the road, which yours won't be.
John they are telling you bks! They are your insurer you are paying them so they do what you want them to!
I have had the same st toild to me by my insurers when H got hit and run, I got on the phone and gave them hell and threatned ombudsman result is we now have courtesy van and is at our choice of repairer.
So long as they repairer is vbra approved they cannot refuse warranty afterwards either.
If you need more help just shout chap they are trying it on.
ks! They are your insurer you are paying them so they do what you want them to!I have had the same s
t toild to me by my insurers when H got hit and run, I got on the phone and gave them hell and threatned ombudsman result is we now have courtesy van and is at our choice of repairer.So long as they repairer is vbra approved they cannot refuse warranty afterwards either.
If you need more help just shout chap they are trying it on.
bmw2002 said:
Just don't get a Boxster as a loan car
The cars bent, not me! 
ETA - One of the bodyshops I went to did already suggest if the insurance company wants to be an arse just enlist a claim management co and get a proper like-for-like courtesy car thrown in. That means I need a modern Elise as quick as mine
111R it is then 
Edited by John D. on Wednesday 27th January 21:16
Just in-case you don't go down the accident management route, the problems you're experiencing will be down the the deal the insurer has with its approved repairers.
Basically in order to get onto the list, the bodyshop will have to stand by its work for a certain period and will also be the ones supplying the courtesy vehicle. Obviously the insurer will have screwed them on price so of course they want to drive as many people as possible down this route.
You're obviously entitled to take your car wherever you wish for repair, but if the insurer is offering a longer warranty on works than the bodyshop you choose then you won't benefit from this, but you'll probably get the work done properly too
As for courtesy car, your chosen bodyshop should be able to supply you one (and if they're make specific it hopefully won't be a micra!), you may even find the TP insurer stipulates this to them when accepting their quotation. If it's not available you should be able to arrange a car yourself and charge it to the TPs insurance, but I'd probably get them to authorise this first - they might try to wriggle out of it but they haven't really a leg to stand on so long as you keep your choice of car sensible.
Basically in order to get onto the list, the bodyshop will have to stand by its work for a certain period and will also be the ones supplying the courtesy vehicle. Obviously the insurer will have screwed them on price so of course they want to drive as many people as possible down this route.
You're obviously entitled to take your car wherever you wish for repair, but if the insurer is offering a longer warranty on works than the bodyshop you choose then you won't benefit from this, but you'll probably get the work done properly too
As for courtesy car, your chosen bodyshop should be able to supply you one (and if they're make specific it hopefully won't be a micra!), you may even find the TP insurer stipulates this to them when accepting their quotation. If it's not available you should be able to arrange a car yourself and charge it to the TPs insurance, but I'd probably get them to authorise this first - they might try to wriggle out of it but they haven't really a leg to stand on so long as you keep your choice of car sensible.
John D. said:
Just been discussing my claim with my insurer. This was particularly tedious as I could barely hear or understand what they said, my ste phone probably not helping matters but typical call centre crap.
They have told me that unless I get the repairs done at a bodyshop on their approved list if there is a problem in the future with the repairs I cannot claim again on the insurance. Fair enough I suppose but I'm planning to use a Lotus approved bodyshop which is more than the nearest place approved by the insurance company can boast! They neglected to tell me this 3 days ago before I went round and got a quote of course
I was also told that I cannot have a courtesy car unless I use an approved bodyshop. I fail to see the reason for this and neither could the numpty on the phone offer an explanation. Is this normal? Fair?
Is it worth enlisting a claims company? I don't really want to as would rather not bump up the value of the claim unnecessarily and have as much money as possible spent putting the car right if you see what I mean.
Just read your message on FB, can't believe this. te phone probably not helping matters but typical call centre crap.They have told me that unless I get the repairs done at a bodyshop on their approved list if there is a problem in the future with the repairs I cannot claim again on the insurance. Fair enough I suppose but I'm planning to use a Lotus approved bodyshop which is more than the nearest place approved by the insurance company can boast! They neglected to tell me this 3 days ago before I went round and got a quote of course
I was also told that I cannot have a courtesy car unless I use an approved bodyshop. I fail to see the reason for this and neither could the numpty on the phone offer an explanation. Is this normal? Fair?
Is it worth enlisting a claims company? I don't really want to as would rather not bump up the value of the claim unnecessarily and have as much money as possible spent putting the car right if you see what I mean.
When I damaged the front clam on my Elise 18 months ago, I was determined that a Lotus specialist would carry out the repair. Sinclaire Motorsport in Romford took care of mine (bit of a trek from where you live, though).
My insurance company tried very hard to persuade me to entrust the car to one of their 'approved repairers', offered to arrange transportation there, free courtesy car and so on, but I held firm. I told them the car was already in the hands of Sinclaires and I wanted them and them only to carry out the repairs.
In so doing, the insurers were then unwilling to supply me with a courtesy car. Don't know if this is standard practice or allowed. Fortunately wasn't an issue for me, as I use public transport to commute and have the Aygo as a runaround. Have you still got the Clio to use in the meantime?
As a timescale reference, mine took around 3 weeks before I got her back, although I did have a few upgrades carried out at the same time.
In terms of 'future problems with repairs', I wouldn't let this spook me. Sounds like they're trying to use the classic fear technique to get you to use one of their preferred garages. A good Lotus specialist should do a fine job. I had no complaints with mine, and i'm a fussy bugger. I still remember from many years ago my Mums' Metro that was involved in an accident. Went to one of the insurance company's approved repairers, cheapest quote of 3.
They did a poor job and the panels started rusting badly within a couple of years. Trying to look on the bright side, it may be a good opportunity to have the specialist carry out one or two jobs at the same time. For example, if the front clam is to be repaired or replaced, i'd have some sort of protective film applied to protect against stonechips. Mine wasn't done following the new clam and is peppered with chips once again after just 18 months. If the lights are damaged, fit a set of HIDs, etc.
If I can help with anything, just give me a shout mate.
Justin
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