Moron hits a post...

[powah]

So last night like a complete moron, i hit a post in a McDonalds drive through while driving my 19' Ford Ranger. Its the first time this sort of this has happened to me and was wondering if i should claim it on the insurance or if i would be better off just paying for the damage to be repaired myself. I have comprehensive insurance with an excess of £500.

I have attatched images showing the damage to the car, please let me know what sort of price you reckon i would be charged at a decent body shop.

Appreciate the help, cheers!

Edited by powah on Tuesday 21st January 08:36

[Benten]

Unless your no-claims are protected, I would not claim.

[powah]

Benten said:

Unless your no-claims are protected, I would not claim.

Apologies, forgot to mention that with this vehicle i have 0 NCB.

[mradam]

I think you'd best send the photos, or better still drive the Ranger to a couple of friendly local bodyshops. When my wife reversed her car into mine last year I went around 3 local bodyshops, all priced very close to each other. Based on what my quotes were I would say you're probably looking at least £1000-£1500, but I could be way off if there's any damage to the actual door structure, hinge etc. Do the doors open normally, everything still work. In our case repairing both cars we had to go insurance to be economical (and we both had protected no claims and pretty clean records).

Also presumably there's no third party claim from McD's for damage to their post ;-)

[Mexman]

That requires a new door/door skin.
To deformed to repair IMO.?

[normalbloke]

19 feet? Are they that long?

[powah]

mradam said:

I think you'd best send the photos, or better still drive the Ranger to a couple of friendly local bodyshops. When my wife reversed her car into mine last year I went around 3 local bodyshops, all priced very close to each other. Based on what my quotes were I would say you're probably looking at least £1000-£1500, but I could be way off if there's any damage to the actual door structure, hinge etc. Do the doors open normally, everything still work. In our case repairing both cars we had to go insurance to be economical (and we both had protected no claims and pretty clean records).

Also presumably there's no third party claim from McD's for damage to their post ;-)

Think its a good idea to have a look online and see what bodyshops are nearby so they can have a look at it. Both doors open and close normally luckily. I'll report back and see what the bodyshops quote. Appreciate it.

[Mammasaid]

normalbloke said:

19 feet? Are they that long?

2019. They're about 17 feet long AFAIK.

[Torquey]

Mexman said:

That requires a new door/door skin.
To deformed to repair IMO.?

This


If it is leased it may make a difference. You'd probably need a good quality repair if so.

If its yours then do as you please.

[Chubbyross]

I reckon you’re looking at around £1500 to put that right. I would pay for it myself if that was mine. If you claim you’ll end up paying eventually through hiked premiums.

[V8RX7]

I'd buy a rear door and step off a breaker / ebay

Hard to tell but would the front door mop up ?

[mikeouk]

my guess is it requires a new door and side step, both wont be cheap, add to that the cost of labour and paint and it could be a £2000 plus job.
If you claim on insurance your premiums will go up for a few years and also the £500 excess. (maybe £700 in total)
You could try to find a used door and side step off a breaker, fit yourself and then get a bodyshop to repair the small amount of damage on the front door and paint both doors. Im guessing you could pick up the used parts for maybe £300, and maybe £400 to bodyshop. (again £700 in total)
Think Id just be claiming from insurance, its going to be less hassle and you know its been fixed with new genuine parts.

[FA57REN]

Concur with above opinions, bodyshop repair at your expense. Not just in terms of attenuating your future premiums, but also as a contribution to society; each claim on a 2019 Ford Ranger raises the risk profile of that vehicle and raises the premiums for everyone who drives one.

Keep insurance claims for events where another party is involved.

Edited by FA57REN on Tuesday 21st January 09:53

[livinginasia]

I too would try and keep away from insurance and have it done yourself. Also keep away from McDonalds in the future as well :-)

[nickv]

Body shop owner here can give a price if it helps when shopping around
14hrs Labour plus paint and materials £700
That's if you supplied parts and the door was either new or secondhand zero damage

That would include

painting supplied door
blend paint D post
repair & paint front door
Fit side skirt
Fit suppied door and transfer parts from damaged door

There will always be the odd really cheap estimate based on bodyshop density in your area go with good reviews only

[powah]

Appreciate all the replies. After taking it to a few bodyshops and getting a quote of around £1700 or so, i've decided to go ahead and just take the hit myself to save myself the hassle of premiums going up.

Thanks once again!