Advice needed - insurance repair
Discussion
Hi all,
I am very much hoping to get some advice on a situation that has become extremely stressful! I will try to keep it as succinct as possible. I have a 69 plate, mark 7.5 golf R estate. At the back end of October I had a *very* unfortunate incident. You may be familiar with those metal parking bollards that people have up outside their premises - they can be stood up to stop people parking, or folded down to allow parking.
On this particular occasion, the bollard was in it's down position to allow parking - this I duly did, and promptly heard a horrific sound emanate from the underside of the car. I checked underneath for any signs of damage, leaks etc, saw nothing.
Within a few minutes of driving off, the engine management light came on. As it happened, the car was due in to the main dealer the following day for some remedial work (squeaky shocks) - I immediately let the dealer know what had happened, and could they investigate.
The next day, I received a call from the dealer to explain that the propshaft had been snapped. They gave me a price for repair - after a minute to recover from this, I contacted my insurance company to explain what had happened. They were excellent, and told me that I would be covered for repair, of course I would have a (massive) excess to pay but that's fair enough.
The car went into the chosen repair shop on 31st October - the assessment was completed 7th November. Work began 8th November.
On the 30th November I received a call from the repair shop to say that work had been completed - however the car had to go back to the main dealer for the on board computer to be checked and cleared of any errors or issues.
This is where the issues started. At this point, I should point out that prior to 'the incident', the car was faultless (apart from the squeaky shocks), certainly no warning lights or error messages. The dealer reported to the insurer that there was 'a long list' of faults and warnings showing, including and not limited to, ABS, traction control, electronic braking, windscreen camera, etc etc - the dealer informed the insurance company that these faults could not have been caused by 'the incident'. As a result, the insurance company informed me that they would not cover this work - but, it needed to be done before the dealer would give my car back, as it wasnt roadworthy.
I explained to the insurance company that NONE of these faults were present prior to the incident - in fact, the dealer had had the car for service and check up a week before, hence the remedial warranty work for the shocks, a mere week before - they never flagged ANY issue at that point. So, I said that these can only have occured after the point I gave the car in for repair.
After COUNTLESS phone calls and stress, the insurance (who, to their credit, have been brilliant), agreed to cover the cost of a replacement windscreen camera - this, having been assured by the dealer, would wipe out all of the warnings and errors.
I then waited patiently until yesterday (now been without car for 6 weeks), when the camera was replaced - dealer said I would be able to pick it up after, so I was ecstatic. Then, my insurance rang me at 4pm yesterday, to say that the camera had been replaced, but the errors and faults still remain. The dealer now say that their 'master technician' will need to investigate, but it wont be until the end of next week.
The insurer has now said that they cannot say whether they will cover any extra work - and noone seems to know what work needs doing!
As I said, the car was FAULTLESS prior to all of this.
It is all really affecting me with the stress and worry - I wonder if anybody had had any experience of anything similar, or could offer any advice.
Not succinct AT ALL apologies!
I am very much hoping to get some advice on a situation that has become extremely stressful! I will try to keep it as succinct as possible. I have a 69 plate, mark 7.5 golf R estate. At the back end of October I had a *very* unfortunate incident. You may be familiar with those metal parking bollards that people have up outside their premises - they can be stood up to stop people parking, or folded down to allow parking.
On this particular occasion, the bollard was in it's down position to allow parking - this I duly did, and promptly heard a horrific sound emanate from the underside of the car. I checked underneath for any signs of damage, leaks etc, saw nothing.
Within a few minutes of driving off, the engine management light came on. As it happened, the car was due in to the main dealer the following day for some remedial work (squeaky shocks) - I immediately let the dealer know what had happened, and could they investigate.
The next day, I received a call from the dealer to explain that the propshaft had been snapped. They gave me a price for repair - after a minute to recover from this, I contacted my insurance company to explain what had happened. They were excellent, and told me that I would be covered for repair, of course I would have a (massive) excess to pay but that's fair enough.
The car went into the chosen repair shop on 31st October - the assessment was completed 7th November. Work began 8th November.
On the 30th November I received a call from the repair shop to say that work had been completed - however the car had to go back to the main dealer for the on board computer to be checked and cleared of any errors or issues.
This is where the issues started. At this point, I should point out that prior to 'the incident', the car was faultless (apart from the squeaky shocks), certainly no warning lights or error messages. The dealer reported to the insurer that there was 'a long list' of faults and warnings showing, including and not limited to, ABS, traction control, electronic braking, windscreen camera, etc etc - the dealer informed the insurance company that these faults could not have been caused by 'the incident'. As a result, the insurance company informed me that they would not cover this work - but, it needed to be done before the dealer would give my car back, as it wasnt roadworthy.
I explained to the insurance company that NONE of these faults were present prior to the incident - in fact, the dealer had had the car for service and check up a week before, hence the remedial warranty work for the shocks, a mere week before - they never flagged ANY issue at that point. So, I said that these can only have occured after the point I gave the car in for repair.
After COUNTLESS phone calls and stress, the insurance (who, to their credit, have been brilliant), agreed to cover the cost of a replacement windscreen camera - this, having been assured by the dealer, would wipe out all of the warnings and errors.
I then waited patiently until yesterday (now been without car for 6 weeks), when the camera was replaced - dealer said I would be able to pick it up after, so I was ecstatic. Then, my insurance rang me at 4pm yesterday, to say that the camera had been replaced, but the errors and faults still remain. The dealer now say that their 'master technician' will need to investigate, but it wont be until the end of next week.
The insurer has now said that they cannot say whether they will cover any extra work - and noone seems to know what work needs doing!
As I said, the car was FAULTLESS prior to all of this.
It is all really affecting me with the stress and worry - I wonder if anybody had had any experience of anything similar, or could offer any advice.
Not succinct AT ALL apologies!
Avantime said:
A random display of warning lights (in my experience) can often be as simple as a battery that needs replacing.
This ^^‘The car went into the chosen repair shop on 31st October - the assessment was completed 7th November. Work began 8th November.
On the 30th November’
Master technician my ar5e.
The computer says?
Your car, the garage cannot stop you taking it, second opinion needed.
Thanks for replies so far. Of course I can take the car from the dealer, my concern is that the insurer will then wash their hands of it as it will be considered that I'm electing to resolve it myself. As it stands, they are awaiting the dealers next report to decide if they will cover any additional work. They've already been burnt by the camera, but I think they should tell the dealer to put the other one back on!
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