Insurance claim or not?

[Jim H]

Hi folks.

I’m looking for advice?

I collided with a Deer last week. The Deer came off worst.

My car a 1994 Corrado has a bit of a dent in the bonnet and that’s all - it could have been much worse. If killing the Deer was not bad enough.

I’ve been to my local body shop and they are quoting ~ £700 to repair.

The bonnet is fairly stone chipped, it’s nearly a 30 year old car, and the lacquer is peeling off the front bumper so I’ve asked them to include this in the repair. They are advising the bonnet will be stripped back to bare metal etc.

I trust the body’s shop , I’ve dealt with them for over 20 years and their work is always exemplary.

This made me wonder? I’m 50 years old now, never ever claimed on my car insurance since I passed my driving test.

That’s a lot of money spent for nothing, especially as I’ve been running and insuring 3 cars for the last 10 years.

I’ve checked my policy and I don’t have protection against my 16 years NCB.

The Excess is £200.

Would I be opening up a can of worms if I even started progressing a claim?

It generally costs about £130 to insure for a year, so I can take the hit when it will surely go up next year.

I can pay the job cash, it’s not a problem.

I just wondered what you guys would do?

[Grumps.]

I guess the repair is about the same as the car is worth so your call?

If you did claim they would write it off i suspect.

[NDA]

If it were me, I'd just pay to have it done where you want and not involve the insurance company.

[Jim H]

Grumps. said:

I guess the repair is about the same as the car is worth so your call?

If you did claim they would write it off i suspect.

That’s a good point, however Corrado values have appreciated somewhat over the last few years.

It’s not worth mega money, but I suspect market value would be around £4 -5 K.

It’s a very good example. And I’ve had two Corrado’s stretching over the the last 20 + years.

So I don’t think we are getting into write off scenarios.

[loskie]

if I were you I'd pay it. Get it done to a good standard by your known bodyshop. OH! and delete this thread

[TameRacingDriver]

NDA said:

If it were me, I'd just pay to have it done where you want and not involve the insurance company.

This.

They will just write your car off if you claim. It will cost you less in the long run to get it fixed yourself.

[Jim H]

I guess? Once hire cars are involved etc, there approved repairers and so on - the costs sky rocket.

Like I say, I’ve never made a claim against any insurance since I started driving in 1990.

I haven’t got a clue.

With regard to deleting the thread?
I’m legally insured against this vehicle, it’s a dent in the bonnet, I collided with some wildlife .


I’ve not made a claim, no specific details have been shared.

[Grumps.]

loskie said:

if I were you I'd pay it. Get it done to a good standard by your known bodyshop. OH! and delete this thread

Why delete the thread?

Edited by Grumps. on Monday 1st May 13:15

[swisstoni]

Personally I’d just pay to get it fixed and keep things nice and simple.
I’d rather that than have a story to tell for the next 5 years that I’m liable to be charged more for.

[TameRacingDriver]

Jim H said:

With regard to deleting the thread?
I’m legally insured against this vehicle, it’s a dent in the bonnet, I collided with some wildlife .


I’ve not made a claim, no specific details have been shared.

I don't think that's necessary. You've done nowt wrong. Just don't claim. Simple!

[Spleen]

Grumps. said:

loskie said:

if I were you I'd pay it. Get it done to a good standard by your known bodyshop. OH! and delete this thread

Why delete the thread?

Edited by Grumps. on Monday 1st May 13:15

Because tinfoil hat.

[brillomaster]

If you claim through insurance they'll likely write the car off and pay you a pittance. Presumably youre fairly attached to the car, and rather it wasnt written off...

Surely source a secondhand bonnet and then get it resprayed wont be as much as £700?

[steveo3002]

agree they will write it off , plus 5 years hassle having to mention the claim etc

cant really compare prices if having bumper cleaned up to , a £100 or less used bonnet would put you back to where it was pre accident , if its a nice keeper then 700 to freshen up the front properly isnt too rude

[Road2Ruin]

Spleen said:

Grumps. said:

loskie said:

if I were you I'd pay it. Get it done to a good standard by your known bodyshop. OH! and delete this thread

Why delete the thread?

Edited by Grumps. on Monday 1st May 13:15

Because tinfoil hat.

I agree. However, I can see why people think so. We have the name of the OP, the age, the car, his forum history. IF, and that I'd a very big if, the insurance co had a bod on here, it wouldn't be difficult to work out. So upon renewal, when it asks if you have had 'a claim OR and accident' then the answer should be yes. Depends I guess on how bothered anyone could be. I certainly wouldn't be.

[TameRacingDriver]

Road2Ruin said:

I agree. However, I can see why people think so. We have the name of the OP, the age, the car, his forum history. IF, and that I'd a very big if, the insurance co had a bod on here, it wouldn't be difficult to work out. So upon renewal, when it asks if you have had 'a claim OR and accident' then the answer should be yes. Depends I guess on how bothered anyone could be. I certainly wouldn't be.

He won't have had a claim because he won't be claiming, ergo there's fk all anyone can do I wouldn't have thought?

I certainly wouldn't care, and I am pretty paranoid about being identified at the best of times online!

[Shinyfings]

I don’t think I’d claim. The upside is minimal and the insurer (or a new insurer) would get their money back one way or another. Don’t forget protected no claims protect the % discount and not the base policy price.

[Jim H]

FFS.

Until I actually make a claim, against my policy number, with my personal details, registration of car etc.

fk all happens .


Try not to overthink this .

And thanks for those that have advised myself avoiding claiming.

[anonymous-user]

Oh deer, oh deery me.

I assume the deer failed to exchange details and also failed to admit liability?

Venison rump steaks can be very tasty......

[3GGy]

I don't think it would be worth a claim for £700. I suspect you would be battling against a potential write off, while trying to justify the value of your car. Just another old VW as far as they care, if you're on a mainstream run of the mill policy.

They also don't care about this thread.

Christ, I've seen full competition spec rally cars insured on normal policies fly under the radar for years as their boggo spec they once were.

Avoid the hasstle IMO.

[Road2Ruin]

TameRacingDriver said:

Road2Ruin said:

I agree. However, I can see why people think so. We have the name of the OP, the age, the car, his forum history. IF, and that I'd a very big if, the insurance co had a bod on here, it wouldn't be difficult to work out. So upon renewal, when it asks if you have had 'a claim OR and accident' then the answer should be yes. Depends I guess on how bothered anyone could be. I certainly wouldn't be.

He won't have had a claim because he won't be claiming, ergo there's fk all anyone can do I wouldn't have thought?

I certainly wouldn't care, and I am pretty paranoid about being identified at the best of times online!

I think it's because it says accident, not necessarily claim, on some policy renewals. Technically the op had had an accident. I still wouldn't care though.