20 y/o Car Accident Repairs & Insurance w/o writeoff
Discussion
Think I could use some collective wisdom. My 20-year-old Mk4 R32 was rear-ended while I was stationary at a pelican crossing. The other party accepted fault immediately verbally.
The damage is fairly significant but isolated as was a straight-on impact – it needs a new rear bumper, possibly a boot lid and paint for both, crash bar, and the slam panel and maybe the boot floor pulling out. My insurer’s initial suggestion was to send my vehicle to their accident repair shop, an unwieldy 2.5-hour journey from my location, or to pass the entire claim to a handling company entirely becase i'm not at fault. However, I’ve been informed I can opt for a repairer of my choice with some warranty and hire car restrictions, which seems wise to avoid the potential for uneconomical repair costs that could lead to the car being written off.
I've already faced challenges with a specialist who refused the job. My quandary is finding somewhere to take the work on, sourcing parts, which are rarely available except occasionally as second-hand or expensive OEM parts on eBay. I'm very keen to avoid a write-off and have had a bitter experience in the past where negotiating a cash-in-lieu repair resulted in subpar workmanship and non-OEM parts.
I am now receiving calls from the other party's insurer and am uncertain how to proceed to ensure the best care for my car without being steamrolled into a disadvantageous position.
Do any of you have advice on how to effectively deal with the insurance company to avoid my R32 being undervalued or improperly repaired, or recommendations for reliable specialists who could take on such a job in Essex/Herts/North London area.
Thanks!
The damage is fairly significant but isolated as was a straight-on impact – it needs a new rear bumper, possibly a boot lid and paint for both, crash bar, and the slam panel and maybe the boot floor pulling out. My insurer’s initial suggestion was to send my vehicle to their accident repair shop, an unwieldy 2.5-hour journey from my location, or to pass the entire claim to a handling company entirely becase i'm not at fault. However, I’ve been informed I can opt for a repairer of my choice with some warranty and hire car restrictions, which seems wise to avoid the potential for uneconomical repair costs that could lead to the car being written off.
I've already faced challenges with a specialist who refused the job. My quandary is finding somewhere to take the work on, sourcing parts, which are rarely available except occasionally as second-hand or expensive OEM parts on eBay. I'm very keen to avoid a write-off and have had a bitter experience in the past where negotiating a cash-in-lieu repair resulted in subpar workmanship and non-OEM parts.
I am now receiving calls from the other party's insurer and am uncertain how to proceed to ensure the best care for my car without being steamrolled into a disadvantageous position.
Do any of you have advice on how to effectively deal with the insurance company to avoid my R32 being undervalued or improperly repaired, or recommendations for reliable specialists who could take on such a job in Essex/Herts/North London area.
Thanks!
I will be brutally honest, there is a number of factors in this post that make a write off significantly likely.
Choosing your own repairer will not influence the write off decision, either way if the repair value amount which most insurers use is between 50 - 60% then you are in risky territory (although you are a third party so it does open doors a little more I suppose).
Additionally, the lack of parts (again caveat with your being a third party is another stumbling block).
Despite all of this there is nothing to stop you going to your own insurer if the terms are more favourable, or the third party insure mucks you around. It is not going to change the fact you will need to disclose the incident to your own insurers at renewal.
You might be better just buying the car back if they decide to write it off sadly as there is numerous factors making it more likely than not IMHO.
Choosing your own repairer will not influence the write off decision, either way if the repair value amount which most insurers use is between 50 - 60% then you are in risky territory (although you are a third party so it does open doors a little more I suppose).
Additionally, the lack of parts (again caveat with your being a third party is another stumbling block).
Despite all of this there is nothing to stop you going to your own insurer if the terms are more favourable, or the third party insure mucks you around. It is not going to change the fact you will need to disclose the incident to your own insurers at renewal.
You might be better just buying the car back if they decide to write it off sadly as there is numerous factors making it more likely than not IMHO.
Ninja59 said:
Despite all of this there is nothing to stop you going to your own insurer if the terms are more favourable, or the third party insure mucks you around. It is not going to change the fact you will need to disclose the incident to your own insurers at renewal.
They're already involved, so no chance of non-disclosure here. Is my best bet to find my own garage, get them to agree a price and negotiate with my insurer to take on as a contract repair and pay the difference if there is one?
I would deal direct with the third party insurers and let them write it off on the basis that you will retain the salvage.
That way you should get a decent payout for the car, plus you get to keep it and get it fixed at your leisure in the way you want.
It will be recorded on the write off register but if you take a ton of pictures of the damage and the repair to show it’s not significant that will help in future and you should come out ahead financially overall.
That way you should get a decent payout for the car, plus you get to keep it and get it fixed at your leisure in the way you want.
It will be recorded on the write off register but if you take a ton of pictures of the damage and the repair to show it’s not significant that will help in future and you should come out ahead financially overall.
I had a very similar incident in April when someone hit the back of my 2005 BMW 330i.
We exchanged details and as their seemed to be very little damage he suggested he might be up for a cash deal, but when I took it to a local bodyshop they noticed a couple of cracks in the rear bumper cover I hadn't spotted!
BMW supply new ones for just over £600 in primer, so when I called him he got his insurer involved.
They said I could send them photos or go to one of their nominated repairers and I did the latter. They manged to pad up their quote to just over £2K and my car became a Cat N before anyone bothered to tell me.
Their valuation was pitiful even after I got it increased slightly, but I didn't have to pay much to keep it so I grudgingly accepted it.
The best things were I've got the same car, money in the bank and my insurer wasn't involved so I won't have to declare it until next renewal.
Although it is now Cat N due to this.
We exchanged details and as their seemed to be very little damage he suggested he might be up for a cash deal, but when I took it to a local bodyshop they noticed a couple of cracks in the rear bumper cover I hadn't spotted!
BMW supply new ones for just over £600 in primer, so when I called him he got his insurer involved.
They said I could send them photos or go to one of their nominated repairers and I did the latter. They manged to pad up their quote to just over £2K and my car became a Cat N before anyone bothered to tell me.
Their valuation was pitiful even after I got it increased slightly, but I didn't have to pay much to keep it so I grudgingly accepted it.
The best things were I've got the same car, money in the bank and my insurer wasn't involved so I won't have to declare it until next renewal.
Although it is now Cat N due to this.
Mr Tidy said:
my 2005 BMW 330i
I can't believe you put a car with that much damage back on the road, are you insane?!More seriously, looking at your situation from a glass half-full point of view, you have your car back, and the settlement should cover your insurance premium increase for next year, plus maybe pay for those little niggles you wanted to get sorted (e.g. replacement heater switches or a seat refurb etc).
Edit: or some more fashionable shoes
second edit: I see you are from around my neck of the woods, I have some silver/grey T-cut you can have for free if you want, I no longer have a silver car so it'd just go in the bin otherwise.
Edited by Second Best on Saturday 4th November 03:30
Second Best said:
I can't believe you put a car with that much damage back on the road, are you insane?!
More seriously, looking at your situation from a glass half-full point of view, you have your car back, and the settlement should cover your insurance premium increase for next year, plus maybe pay for those little niggles you wanted to get sorted (e.g. replacement heater switches or a seat refurb etc).
Edit: or some more fashionable shoes
second edit: I see you are from around my neck of the woods, I have some silver/grey T-cut you can have for free if you want, I no longer have a silver car so it'd just go in the bin otherwise.
A couple of thousand miles on nothing has broken or fallen off so I seem to be on a winner! More seriously, looking at your situation from a glass half-full point of view, you have your car back, and the settlement should cover your insurance premium increase for next year, plus maybe pay for those little niggles you wanted to get sorted (e.g. replacement heater switches or a seat refurb etc).
Edit: or some more fashionable shoes
second edit: I see you are from around my neck of the woods, I have some silver/grey T-cut you can have for free if you want, I no longer have a silver car so it'd just go in the bin otherwise.
Edited by Second Best on Saturday 4th November 03:30
It's worth so little now there's no point addressing little niggles, and I'll have you know those shoes cost more than a full tank of 99 RON. At my age fashion is something other people do!
Coincidentally my other BMW is Silver Grey - if you PM me I'd take that T-Cut off your hands.
Thank you for your advice, it's appreciated. I'm keenest not to have the car pick up a salvage title if possible. I'd be grateful for a sense check of my plan:
- I've notified my insurer about the accident.
- I am currently looking for a bodyshop willing to undertake the repairs and collaborate with my insurance. I've approached a few with no success, but I have one more option to try next week.
- The third-party insurer has attempted to contact me, suggesting I arrange repairs outside of my insurance coverage.
Moving forward, my intention is to:
- Use my insurer and they can recoup the money from the other party
- Inform my insurer that I wish to use my chosen repairer, waive the entitlement to a courtesy car, and accept that I won't have their warranty.
- I anticipate that my insurer will deem the repairs not cost-effective. This may lead to them wanting to write off my vehicle, but I would prefer to negotiate a contract repair and am prepared to cover any cost difference myself. This could also be an opportunity to have additional work done that I've been waiting to do.
- In the event of a write-off, I plan to negotiate keeping my car with a salvage title and accept the payout. I have insured my car at the higher end of its current market value; I'm interested in how this might influence the insurer's decision.
Does that sound like the most sensible course of action here?
- I've notified my insurer about the accident.
- I am currently looking for a bodyshop willing to undertake the repairs and collaborate with my insurance. I've approached a few with no success, but I have one more option to try next week.
- The third-party insurer has attempted to contact me, suggesting I arrange repairs outside of my insurance coverage.
Moving forward, my intention is to:
- Use my insurer and they can recoup the money from the other party
- Inform my insurer that I wish to use my chosen repairer, waive the entitlement to a courtesy car, and accept that I won't have their warranty.
- I anticipate that my insurer will deem the repairs not cost-effective. This may lead to them wanting to write off my vehicle, but I would prefer to negotiate a contract repair and am prepared to cover any cost difference myself. This could also be an opportunity to have additional work done that I've been waiting to do.
- In the event of a write-off, I plan to negotiate keeping my car with a salvage title and accept the payout. I have insured my car at the higher end of its current market value; I'm interested in how this might influence the insurer's decision.
Does that sound like the most sensible course of action here?
Edited by tapandunwrap on Sunday 5th November 11:11
Sounds sensible. I love the R32 (I have the Mk1 TT with the same engine and running gear) so I too would do everything I could to keep the car on the road.
Assuming the impact hasn’t struck the rear diff, there should be no damage to the diff, Haldex, prop shaft, transfer box or gearbox. If that’s true and there’s no running gear damage then you should be on to a winner.
Worst case scenario I can see is you track down a good Mk4 4-motion shell and transfer everything into it, but hopefully that won’t be necessary.
Good luck OP - rooting for your R32.
/A
Assuming the impact hasn’t struck the rear diff, there should be no damage to the diff, Haldex, prop shaft, transfer box or gearbox. If that’s true and there’s no running gear damage then you should be on to a winner.
Worst case scenario I can see is you track down a good Mk4 4-motion shell and transfer everything into it, but hopefully that won’t be necessary.
Good luck OP - rooting for your R32.
/A
alexmonkey said:
Sounds sensible. I love the R32 (I have the Mk1 TT with the same engine and running gear) so I too would do everything I could to keep the car on the road.
Thanks - this helps a lot!It's a weird car, the MK4; it still gets SO much positive attention on the road, almost every time I take it out someone gives a thumbs up or nod or a chat at the lights, and people working on it always want to talk about it.
On paper it makes almost no sense and could imagine it wouldn't to anyone that hasn't driven one; the Heaviest golf, on a platform that's not made for the engine or weight, and not even *that* quick, especially not by today's standards.
but that VR6 engine... it's the most brilliant drive, feels far faster than it is, and deals with twisties like it's on rails, and with very little effort can be made to sound quite special. Had it for over a decade. Probably won't ever let it go unless forced to.
tapandunwrap said:
On paper it makes almost no sense and could imagine it wouldn't to anyone that hasn't driven one; the Heaviest golf, on a platform that's not made for the engine or weight, and not even *that* quick, especially not by today's standards.
but that VR6 engine... it's the most brilliant drive, feels far faster than it is, and deals with twisties like it's on rails, and with very little effort can be made to sound quite special. Had it for over a decade. Probably won't ever let it go unless forced to.
That sounds very similar to my situation. My 330i may only be an 18 year old BMW, but it's a manual with a few good options like Xenons and an electric glass sunroof. And the engine is a gem pulling all the way to the 7,000rpm red-line! but that VR6 engine... it's the most brilliant drive, feels far faster than it is, and deals with twisties like it's on rails, and with very little effort can be made to sound quite special. Had it for over a decade. Probably won't ever let it go unless forced to.
I wish it hadn't been made a Cat N, and the settlement I got was tight, but it didn't cost me much to buy it back and I love it. There's nothing nearly as good I could buy for the same money.
Good luck getting your car sorted.
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