Car Insurance - where do i stand
Car Insurance - where do i stand
Author
Discussion

llowen

Original Poster:

52 posts

233 months

Sunday 1st July 2012
quotequote all
After the hail storm on Thursday my car is covered with around 30 golf ball size dents over the boot, roof & bonnet. I had only bought the car on the previous Saturday, gutted is putting it mildly. I have rang the insurance company, they have given me a claim number & are going to send someone out to assess the damage. What are my options, can i get a couple of quotes myself as i dont want to use one of there car clinics, i would prefere to use a bodyshop which i have delt with before, who i know & trust.The car is a BMW 325d M Sport its immaculate & i want the best job possible. Any advice welcome.

Papa Hotel

12,760 posts

205 months

Sunday 1st July 2012
quotequote all
You could ask your insurance company. Just a thought. As an idea, it's a bit left-field, but maybe people on the internet who don't have your insurance policy details in front of them aren't necessarily the best sources of advice.

XG332

3,927 posts

211 months

Sunday 1st July 2012
quotequote all
Papa Hotel said:
You could ask your insurance company. Just a thought. As an idea, it's a bit left-field, but maybe people on the internet who don't have your insurance policy details in front of them aren't necessarily the best sources of advice.
Hmmmmm I'm not sure, that does sound a little far fetched.

2 sMoKiN bArReLs

31,785 posts

258 months

Sunday 1st July 2012
quotequote all
Papa Hotel said:
You could ask your insurance company. Just a thought. As an idea, it's a bit left-field, but maybe people on the internet who don't have your insurance policy details in front of them aren't necessarily the best sources of advice.
That's really mean spirited.

Often shared experiences give somebody an angle they wouldn't have otherwise thought of.

I think you are offside.

Mr GrimNasty

8,172 posts

193 months

Sunday 1st July 2012
quotequote all
Kipper tie sir?

Papa Hotel

12,760 posts

205 months

Sunday 1st July 2012
quotequote all
2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
That's really mean spirited.

Often shared experiences give somebody an angle they wouldn't have otherwise thought of.

I think you are offside.
Fine.

Proper answer then: once upon a time, I crashed my car. My insurance company did allow me to take it to a bodyshop of my choice but then wouldn't give me a courtesy car as I wasn't using their preferred cut 'n' shut joint.

hollydog

1,108 posts

215 months

Sunday 1st July 2012
quotequote all
Same thing happened to one of my wifes customers just picked up his brand new merc S 63 amg. £110 K. Had it for less than a week .He was gutted.

2 sMoKiN bArReLs

31,785 posts

258 months

Sunday 1st July 2012
quotequote all
Papa Hotel said:
2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
That's really mean spirited.

Often shared experiences give somebody an angle they wouldn't have otherwise thought of.

I think you are offside.
Fine.

Proper answer then: once upon a time, I crashed my car. My insurance company did allow me to take it to a bodyshop of my choice but then wouldn't give me a courtesy car as I wasn't using their preferred cut 'n' shut joint.
..been sniffing substances? hehe

ReaperCushions

7,405 posts

207 months

Sunday 1st July 2012
quotequote all
How much is the car worth?

Assuming it is the top panels (bonnet, roof, boot lid) they may well write it off depending on the value of it. It'd suggest it was a hell of a job to get 30+ dings out sucessfully.


HustleRussell

26,132 posts

183 months

Sunday 1st July 2012
quotequote all
Just get it repaired wherever they suggest. They're unlikely to do a shoddy job and if they do, they'll be held fully accountable and obliged to complete any re-work.

2 sMoKiN bArReLs

31,785 posts

258 months

Sunday 1st July 2012
quotequote all
A similar thread started yesterday, bloke with a Datsun I think. He too is afeared of a write off.

Cemesis

771 posts

185 months

Sunday 1st July 2012
quotequote all
A friend of mine is a dent repair guy who charges £65 per panel. So in this instance it would cost £195 to repair. Common sense would suggest its not that easy but it might be worth investigating if its cheaper to have it repaired yourself, once you take into account your excess and the increase in premium for the next 5 years.

Steffan

10,362 posts

251 months

Sunday 1st July 2012
quotequote all
XG332 said:
Papa Hotel said:
You could ask your insurance company. Just a thought. As an idea, it's a bit left-field, but maybe people on the internet who don't have your insurance policy details in front of them aren't necessarily the best sources of advice.
Hmmmmm I'm not sure, that does sound a little far fetched.
Sounds more like sensible advice to me. Who else would know the details? Mind you, on second thoughts, if they are anything like the rubbish call centres at my insurers who are just dire to deal with, you have a point. As you were, good luck on PH. smilesmile

Pontoneer

3,643 posts

209 months

Sunday 1st July 2012
quotequote all
The correct answer is , of course , that your car is your property and you alone have final say over who works on it .

Your insurers may choose not to pay the full amount if their preffered repairer quotes a lower price , but they cannot force you to use them .

Pontoneer

3,643 posts

209 months

Sunday 1st July 2012
quotequote all
ReaperCushions said:
How much is the car worth?

Assuming it is the top panels (bonnet, roof, boot lid) they may well write it off depending on the value of it. It'd suggest it was a hell of a job to get 30+ dings out sucessfully.
Replacing the bonnet and bootlid may be more cost effective ( especially with good used panels rather than new ones ) , with the only real worry being the roof which may end up with filler .

Papa Hotel

12,760 posts

205 months

Sunday 1st July 2012
quotequote all
The Crack Fox said:
What's the question, exactly ?
"I have a contract with someone, I don't know the exact details. Can you random strangers guess the details for me?"

llowen

Original Poster:

52 posts

233 months

Sunday 1st July 2012
quotequote all
ReaperCushions said:
How much is the car worth?

Assuming it is the top panels (bonnet, roof, boot lid) they may well write it off depending on the value of it. It'd suggest it was a hell of a job to get 30+ dings out sucessfully.
The car is worth around £11k

ZOLLAR

19,920 posts

196 months

Monday 2nd July 2012
quotequote all
llowen said:
After the hail storm on Thursday my car is covered with around 30 golf ball size dents over the boot, roof & bonnet. I had only bought the car on the previous Saturday, gutted is putting it mildly. I have rang the insurance company, they have given me a claim number & are going to send someone out to assess the damage. What are my options, can i get a couple of quotes myself as i dont want to use one of there car clinics, i would prefere to use a bodyshop which i have delt with before, who i know & trust.The car is a BMW 325d M Sport its immaculate & i want the best job possible. Any advice welcome.
Have you asked your insurer who their auth repairers are in the area?, sometimes it's the same people you want to go too if not ask the insurer if their repairer has been approved as a repairer by the manufacturer (sp?) of your car.

llowen said:
ReaperCushions said:
How much is the car worth?

Assuming it is the top panels (bonnet, roof, boot lid) they may well write it off depending on the value of it. It'd suggest it was a hell of a job to get 30+ dings out sucessfully.
The car is worth around £11k
I've written off two cars this week valued at £12,000, one being an X5 based on similar damage to what you have described.

HustleRussell said:
Just get it repaired wherever they suggest. They're unlikely to do a shoddy job and if they do, they'll be held fully accountable and obliged to complete any re-work.
This is true, if you have any problems with the dealer you choose the insurer will have less control or no control over rectification work that may need to be completed.

Monty Python

4,813 posts

220 months

Monday 2nd July 2012
quotequote all
I spot a business opportunity - hailstone-resistant car covers :-)

joe_90

4,206 posts

254 months

Monday 2nd July 2012
quotequote all
Monty Python said:
I spot a business opportunity - hailstone-resistant car covers :-)
A garage?