Discussion
Working in my parents' garden yesterday when I watched a neighbour reverse into Mr Raspberry (my Chim)! aarrgghhh! Long nasty scratches and paint chipped off front wing.
The woman admitted fault immediately, and will obviously go through insurance, but I now need to get a recommend for a paintshop in or near to Hertfordshire (I'm in St.Albans).
The other problem is that it's Rosso Pearl, which is prone to fading, so I'm guessing a newly painted wing will never match exactly to the rest of the car. Does anyone have any experience of demanding/negotiating a full respray in this situation? This would inevitably benefit my insurer as any future paint damage caused by me could be repaired without the matching issue.
I intend on calling my insurer this morning to let them know the other driver's company will soon be in touch. Any advice on whether this is/not a good idea?
The woman admitted fault immediately, and will obviously go through insurance, but I now need to get a recommend for a paintshop in or near to Hertfordshire (I'm in St.Albans).
The other problem is that it's Rosso Pearl, which is prone to fading, so I'm guessing a newly painted wing will never match exactly to the rest of the car. Does anyone have any experience of demanding/negotiating a full respray in this situation? This would inevitably benefit my insurer as any future paint damage caused by me could be repaired without the matching issue.
I intend on calling my insurer this morning to let them know the other driver's company will soon be in touch. Any advice on whether this is/not a good idea?
Tobee,
My neighbour did exactly the same thing to mine about 3 weeks ago, it now being in Hiltons bodyshop (TVR specialist in Bishops Stortford - probably the closest/best to you in Stevenage), what looked like a couple of scratches and a chip in the fibreglass actually turned out to be a full strip down, re-lamination and rear qtr re-spray. I get it back on Friday.
As its a no fault claim my insurers were TBH pretty slow and useless so I used the services of another PHer (anniesdad) who works for a company similar to helphire. He has dealt very quickly and efficiently with the 3rd party insurers, getting them to admit liability and authorising repairs before my insusrers had even sent out the relevant forms. He also arranged a like for like courtesy car (as its not your fault you are entitled to this) in my case a brand new (700 miles on clock) new shape Merc SLK.
I would strongly advise you to get in touch woth him, explain the situation and see what he can do for you. It won't cost you a penny and I guarantee he'll be a damned sight more efficient and professional than your insurance company plus you won't need to try and claim back any excess etc.
If you need more info by all means e-mail me on tony.brown@lgim.co.uk - profile e-mail is home based and so I won't see it until tonight.
Tony
>> Edited by zippee on Monday 20th June 09:04
My neighbour did exactly the same thing to mine about 3 weeks ago, it now being in Hiltons bodyshop (TVR specialist in Bishops Stortford - probably the closest/best to you in Stevenage), what looked like a couple of scratches and a chip in the fibreglass actually turned out to be a full strip down, re-lamination and rear qtr re-spray. I get it back on Friday.
As its a no fault claim my insurers were TBH pretty slow and useless so I used the services of another PHer (anniesdad) who works for a company similar to helphire. He has dealt very quickly and efficiently with the 3rd party insurers, getting them to admit liability and authorising repairs before my insusrers had even sent out the relevant forms. He also arranged a like for like courtesy car (as its not your fault you are entitled to this) in my case a brand new (700 miles on clock) new shape Merc SLK.
I would strongly advise you to get in touch woth him, explain the situation and see what he can do for you. It won't cost you a penny and I guarantee he'll be a damned sight more efficient and professional than your insurance company plus you won't need to try and claim back any excess etc.
If you need more info by all means e-mail me on tony.brown@lgim.co.uk - profile e-mail is home based and so I won't see it until tonight.
Tony
>> Edited by zippee on Monday 20th June 09:04
Hi zippee - thanks for the info. The brand new Merc sounds like an interesting option!
How did your insurer feel about being bypassed in favour of anniesdad, or did your insurer still have some involvement in the process? As far as I know my neighbour's insurer will have already begun to process my neighbours call, and I assume will be in touch with me to get my insurance company details (is that how it works?).
If I decide to use anniesdad, should I not contact my company at all?
I've clearly got quite a few questions, so I'll probably send you an email later too!
How did your insurer feel about being bypassed in favour of anniesdad, or did your insurer still have some involvement in the process? As far as I know my neighbour's insurer will have already begun to process my neighbours call, and I assume will be in touch with me to get my insurance company details (is that how it works?).
If I decide to use anniesdad, should I not contact my company at all?
I've clearly got quite a few questions, so I'll probably send you an email later too!
Hi Toby,
My insurer didn't mind (had no choice). Your claim is with the 3rd party not your insurance company.
Steve (anniesdad) basically acts as an intermediary in the whole process, liasing with the 3rd party, the repair centre, hire company for the courtesy car etc. and provides a single point of contact for the whole process. Before I used him I never once managed to speak to the same person at my insurers and was given contradictory info each time.
I'll send you another mail in just a minute with my phone number so feel free to give me a call, I'll give you Steves contact details at the same time.
Cheers
Tony
My insurer didn't mind (had no choice). Your claim is with the 3rd party not your insurance company.
Steve (anniesdad) basically acts as an intermediary in the whole process, liasing with the 3rd party, the repair centre, hire company for the courtesy car etc. and provides a single point of contact for the whole process. Before I used him I never once managed to speak to the same person at my insurers and was given contradictory info each time.
I'll send you another mail in just a minute with my phone number so feel free to give me a call, I'll give you Steves contact details at the same time.
Cheers
Tony
Hi Tobeee(e)
I know of someone who negotiated a full respray in Rosso Pearl on the basis that colour match was nigh on impossible. Damage was not dissimilar to yours by the sounds of it. Apparently this wasnt too difficult once the dreaded words 'Rosso Pearl' and 'Colour Match' were mentioned. However - this was a claim against a knowledgable insurer who knows TVRs well. You may have more difficulty with a 'normal' insurer. I'd suggest getting formal documentation from the appropriate bodyshop backing up your case?
Good Luck! Who knows it could all work out nicely - fresh paint all round!
Trellis
I know of someone who negotiated a full respray in Rosso Pearl on the basis that colour match was nigh on impossible. Damage was not dissimilar to yours by the sounds of it. Apparently this wasnt too difficult once the dreaded words 'Rosso Pearl' and 'Colour Match' were mentioned. However - this was a claim against a knowledgable insurer who knows TVRs well. You may have more difficulty with a 'normal' insurer. I'd suggest getting formal documentation from the appropriate bodyshop backing up your case?
Good Luck! Who knows it could all work out nicely - fresh paint all round!
Trellis
As Zippee said Hiltons do lots of TVRs. I think they are linked to Castle TVR (Stansted) and used to be the body shop for TVR Centre (Barnet). They will not be the cheapest thoguh so if you want to save some money it may be worth looking elsewhere.
There is also a company in Safron Walden who have a paint shop. They were doing hardtops for chims/griffs. Details in in the back Sprint.
There is also a company in Safron Walden who have a paint shop. They were doing hardtops for chims/griffs. Details in in the back Sprint.
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