Insurance claim - new parts not available
Discussion
Quick question regarding insurance claims on classics.
I have a 1988 BMW 7 Series and someone decided to drive in to the door!
Anyway, it looks like new doors are not available, one insurance approved body shop is insisting it needs a new door as it's easier for them!
What's the normal insurance response when parts are No Longer Available (NLA)?
I can find a S/H one on The Bay, but it's obviously the wrong colour and would mean repainting and transferring all the trim from my old door. There is also the likelihood that clips/trim is damaged on removal and may or may not be available as well.
The 3rd party doesn't want to go through insurance, but as it stands at the moment, I'm dealing with all the pain, trying to source parts etc, and I would prefer to just hand it over to someone who returns it back to me as it was before it got hit!
Even if it does go through insurance, if parts are not available what generally happens?
Or any other suggestions?
I have a 1988 BMW 7 Series and someone decided to drive in to the door!
Anyway, it looks like new doors are not available, one insurance approved body shop is insisting it needs a new door as it's easier for them!
What's the normal insurance response when parts are No Longer Available (NLA)?
I can find a S/H one on The Bay, but it's obviously the wrong colour and would mean repainting and transferring all the trim from my old door. There is also the likelihood that clips/trim is damaged on removal and may or may not be available as well.
The 3rd party doesn't want to go through insurance, but as it stands at the moment, I'm dealing with all the pain, trying to source parts etc, and I would prefer to just hand it over to someone who returns it back to me as it was before it got hit!
Even if it does go through insurance, if parts are not available what generally happens?
Or any other suggestions?
Krikkit said:
Olivergt said:
Even if it does go through insurance, if parts are not available what generally happens?
It'll be written off.Best bet is finding a used door and having it painted to match etc. How bad is the damage? Is there a better bodyshop who might repair the door as-is?
Yes, it should be possible to repair the damage, and this would be my preferred route anyway. I do know that although the door closes correctly, it's not quite right at the top as there is a lot of wind noise now. I've had an initial estimate for repairs but that didn't include sorting out the door fitting correctly.
Thank you.
I've already spoken to another body shop and they are happy to repair, although they weren't aware that it's not closing properly at the top, but I'm sure that is repairable as well as it's only proud by a fraction, no more than 1mm I would say.
I'm speaking to the 3rd party later this week, see if they still want to pay direct or go through insurance.
I've already spoken to another body shop and they are happy to repair, although they weren't aware that it's not closing properly at the top, but I'm sure that is repairable as well as it's only proud by a fraction, no more than 1mm I would say.
I'm speaking to the 3rd party later this week, see if they still want to pay direct or go through insurance.
Olivergt said:
I'm speaking to the 3rd party later this week, see if they still want to pay direct or go through insurance.
That shoud be your choice really, not the other party's.Personally I'd want to feel 100% confident that the 3rd party will pay up without being a pain about it, before even considering it. especially in a complicated case like this. I'd feel much happier just passing it off to my insurance company to deal with, as that's what I pay them for.
In any event, technically you still have to inform your insurance company that you've been in an accident, even if you're not claiming.
QJumper said:
Olivergt said:
I'm speaking to the 3rd party later this week, see if they still want to pay direct or go through insurance.
That should be your choice really, not the other party's.Personally I'd want to feel 100% confident that the 3rd party will pay up without being a pain about it, before even considering it. especially in a complicated case like this. I'd feel much happier just passing it off to my insurance company to deal with, as that's what I pay them for.
In any event, technically you still have to inform your insurance company that you've been in an accident, even if you're not claiming.
I don't think the 3rd party will cause trouble, but am prepared for the worst. I wasn't in the car when it happened, but there are plenty of witnesses.
As someone else mentioned Insurance may make a cash offer in lieu of repairs, I would be happy with this as long as it is a fair amount as I am then in more control over who does what.
Doesn't look an easy repair to me because the damage extends right into seams at the edge of the door and adjacent panel.
Even if they could get a brand new door it would just be the steel shell and all of your trim would still have to be carried across from the old one.
Used door; best bodge of that adjacent panel; respray with proper blending; job done.
Even if they could get a brand new door it would just be the steel shell and all of your trim would still have to be carried across from the old one.
Used door; best bodge of that adjacent panel; respray with proper blending; job done.
Thanks for all the replies.
I have already spoken to one bodyshop and he's seen the car and is quite confident he can pull it out and repair with a minimum of filler.
I did investigate a s/h door, only one I can find at the moment is coming in at around €1200 from Germany and then you have to paint and transfer all the trim, without breaking anything! Most parts are still available though, but new exterior door trim is going to stand out like a sore thumb compared to the rest of the car which has 35 years of patina.
Local BMW dealer hasn't bothered to respond to my email request, even to say the part is NLA, I might give them a few more days to see if they respond.
Me and the car are based in Ireland, so not a lot of breakers, especially where classic cars are involved. Also, not a lot of support for classics in general, so finding good people to work on them is tricky at the best of times.
I have already spoken to one bodyshop and he's seen the car and is quite confident he can pull it out and repair with a minimum of filler.
I did investigate a s/h door, only one I can find at the moment is coming in at around €1200 from Germany and then you have to paint and transfer all the trim, without breaking anything! Most parts are still available though, but new exterior door trim is going to stand out like a sore thumb compared to the rest of the car which has 35 years of patina.
Local BMW dealer hasn't bothered to respond to my email request, even to say the part is NLA, I might give them a few more days to see if they respond.
Me and the car are based in Ireland, so not a lot of breakers, especially where classic cars are involved. Also, not a lot of support for classics in general, so finding good people to work on them is tricky at the best of times.
Panamax said:
Doesn't look an easy repair to me because the damage extends right into seams at the edge of the door and adjacent panel.
Even if they could get a brand new door it would just be the steel shell and all of your trim would still have to be carried across from the old one.
Used door; best bodge of that adjacent panel; respray with proper blending; job done.
That door will repair all day long, its just if you want to repair or not when you are the body manEven if they could get a brand new door it would just be the steel shell and all of your trim would still have to be carried across from the old one.
Used door; best bodge of that adjacent panel; respray with proper blending; job done.
This is now going through insurance, the 3rd party didn't play ball.
I have a couple of Insurance quotes, hopefully being sent to the insurers this week. One of the places is quoting for new door and new wing, I did mention that doors are not available, but he said he would investigate himself as well. Other place took the car inside and didn't say anything! I don't think I will be using them.
I should get a call from the Insurance later this week to see what they say, worst case is that they write it off. Hopefully they will offer a cash in lieu payment?
Hopefully this will get resolved soon, but I'm not holding my breath.
I have a couple of Insurance quotes, hopefully being sent to the insurers this week. One of the places is quoting for new door and new wing, I did mention that doors are not available, but he said he would investigate himself as well. Other place took the car inside and didn't say anything! I don't think I will be using them.
I should get a call from the Insurance later this week to see what they say, worst case is that they write it off. Hopefully they will offer a cash in lieu payment?
Hopefully this will get resolved soon, but I'm not holding my breath.
ok, this is not going too well at the moment.
The 3rd party Insurance Co have accepted liability, which is one piece of good news.
The bad news is:
Parts are not available to fix the car, so they are simply offering the cash equivalent of the repair costs and letting me get it fixed.
But, as they point out, parts are not available, so how can I get it fixed?
Is this all the insurance co is obliged to do?
P.S. I'm based in Ireland so please bear that in mind in your responses. Obviously anyone based in Ireland with insurance knowledge, please feel free to help me out here.
Thank you.
The 3rd party Insurance Co have accepted liability, which is one piece of good news.
The bad news is:
Parts are not available to fix the car, so they are simply offering the cash equivalent of the repair costs and letting me get it fixed.
But, as they point out, parts are not available, so how can I get it fixed?
Is this all the insurance co is obliged to do?
P.S. I'm based in Ireland so please bear that in mind in your responses. Obviously anyone based in Ireland with insurance knowledge, please feel free to help me out here.
Thank you.
Olivergt said:
ok, this is not going too well at the moment.
The 3rd party Insurance Co have accepted liability, which is one piece of good news.
The bad news is:
Parts are not available to fix the car, so they are simply offering the cash equivalent of the repair costs and letting me get it fixed.
But, as they point out, parts are not available, so how can I get it fixed?
Is this all the insurance co is obliged to do?
P.S. I'm based in Ireland so please bear that in mind in your responses. Obviously anyone based in Ireland with insurance knowledge, please feel free to help me out here.
Thank you.
What else might you suggest they do?!The 3rd party Insurance Co have accepted liability, which is one piece of good news.
The bad news is:
Parts are not available to fix the car, so they are simply offering the cash equivalent of the repair costs and letting me get it fixed.
But, as they point out, parts are not available, so how can I get it fixed?
Is this all the insurance co is obliged to do?
P.S. I'm based in Ireland so please bear that in mind in your responses. Obviously anyone based in Ireland with insurance knowledge, please feel free to help me out here.
Thank you.
Was the repair place you found also not able to come up with a secondhand door ?
Assuming not then can they still repair the damaged door ?
If yes then I would be asking the insurer to pay for all those repairs which sounds like they will be.
If the repair place can find that elusive door then that’s still part of the repair so would expect the insurer to cough up for that instead.
If I read between the lines a bit ( apologies if not the case ) I don’t think they will pay for a door in advance and the repairs ie no door ever appears.
Insurance should be about putting you in the same financial position as you were prior to the event.
Assuming not then can they still repair the damaged door ?
If yes then I would be asking the insurer to pay for all those repairs which sounds like they will be.
If the repair place can find that elusive door then that’s still part of the repair so would expect the insurer to cough up for that instead.
If I read between the lines a bit ( apologies if not the case ) I don’t think they will pay for a door in advance and the repairs ie no door ever appears.
Insurance should be about putting you in the same financial position as you were prior to the event.
Fady said:
Olivergt said:
ok, this is not going too well at the moment.
The 3rd party Insurance Co have accepted liability, which is one piece of good news.
The bad news is:
Parts are not available to fix the car, so they are simply offering the cash equivalent of the repair costs and letting me get it fixed.
But, as they point out, parts are not available, so how can I get it fixed?
Is this all the insurance co is obliged to do?
P.S. I'm based in Ireland so please bear that in mind in your responses. Obviously anyone based in Ireland with insurance knowledge, please feel free to help me out here.
Thank you.
What else might you suggest they do?!The 3rd party Insurance Co have accepted liability, which is one piece of good news.
The bad news is:
Parts are not available to fix the car, so they are simply offering the cash equivalent of the repair costs and letting me get it fixed.
But, as they point out, parts are not available, so how can I get it fixed?
Is this all the insurance co is obliged to do?
P.S. I'm based in Ireland so please bear that in mind in your responses. Obviously anyone based in Ireland with insurance knowledge, please feel free to help me out here.
Thank you.
As I mentioned, I live in Ireland, sourcing parts and fixing classic cars is not the same as in the UK for example. There are very few breakers, with a very small chance any of them will have a 35 year old 7 series sitting out the back. There are very few specialists, and even if you find one, they are not always willing to help.
In the meantime, I'm stuck with a car that I can't really use!
Apologies, I'm getting a little frustrated with this whole incident and figured going through insurance would be straight forward and pain free.
alscar said:
Was the repair place you found also not able to come up with a secondhand door ?
Assuming not then can they still repair the damaged door ?
If yes then I would be asking the insurer to pay for all those repairs which sounds like they will be.
If the repair place can find that elusive door then that’s still part of the repair so would expect the insurer to cough up for that instead.
If I read between the lines a bit ( apologies if not the case ) I don’t think they will pay for a door in advance and the repairs ie no door ever appears.
Insurance should be about putting you in the same financial position as you were prior to the event.
Thanks for the questions, I'll try and answer as best I can:Assuming not then can they still repair the damaged door ?
If yes then I would be asking the insurer to pay for all those repairs which sounds like they will be.
If the repair place can find that elusive door then that’s still part of the repair so would expect the insurer to cough up for that instead.
If I read between the lines a bit ( apologies if not the case ) I don’t think they will pay for a door in advance and the repairs ie no door ever appears.
Insurance should be about putting you in the same financial position as you were prior to the event.
None of the repair shops are even interested in trying to source a door for me.
I have had one place say that they should be able to repair it, which is more than likely the route that I will take. But having said that, out of the 4 places I went to, 3 immediately said "new door".
The insurance have offered to consider that if I can source the door and source someone to do the work, they will look at the estimates and if reasonable will cover the costs.
I'm just getting a little frustrated with the Insurance co, simply trying to pay out some cash and walk away, leaving me with a car that I can't use. And leaving me to source a door (not easy in Ireland) and someone to do the work (that part shouldn't be too difficult).
P.S. Thanks for raising the questions, they do help with trying to figure out what to do.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/165810239582?hash=item2...
Finding parts shouldn't be an issue, they are even in Ireland.
You have 2 options,
have in written off
get the money and put the effort into having it repaired.
If you get the parts, any reasonable bodyshop will pain and fit them, you just need to keep away from the big ones who only fit new parts.
Finding parts shouldn't be an issue, they are even in Ireland.
You have 2 options,
have in written off
get the money and put the effort into having it repaired.
If you get the parts, any reasonable bodyshop will pain and fit them, you just need to keep away from the big ones who only fit new parts.
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