My car got hit - do I get to choose how it's repaired?
Discussion
Short version: Someone hit my parked car and owned up, can I choose where it gets repaired?
Full version:
Hi all. I've had my car hit whilst parked and wanted some advice, as I've not been in this situation before:
Recently my car was hit in the work's car park by one of the other members of staff at my office. It was a low speed manoeuvring misjudgement which has taken some of the paint off and gouged the plastic bumper (I think it will need filling and spraying). They admitted it was them, and accepted that they would have to pay to fix it or make a claim on their insurance. So far so good, could have been a lot worse if it had been a public car park and a drive off.
My car is an E65 7 Series, which was otherwise immaculate inside and out (it's the main reason why I chose that one when buying it). I take care of my cars and take pride in keeping them in good condition, as is my right as a car nut, servicing properly, cleaning and parking at the far end of public car parks to avoid dings etc. Many people in the world don't care for their cars as much as us on this forum, but I do. As a result I don't think it's unfair to want the repair to be of a good quality.
So I took it to a BMW body shop for a quote, which came in about where I expected it to price wise.
I've not shared the quote with the chap yet, because I've been mulling over whether I'm obliged to get a 2nd quote or whether (as I'm not at fault) I can just choose/dictate where I want my car to be repaired. I think that if I had a crash myself then my insurer would ask me to get multiple quotes, however as the "innocent party" I perhaps don't have to do this?
Could/should I just tell him I want it to go to BMW and he can either pay, or claim on his insurance and have them pay? I know this is what I'd like to do, because I think they'd do a proper job. But I don't know if I'm obliged to let him or his insurers insist on multiple quotes or them choosing a body shop.
PS - When I asked the chap at BMW about their turnaround time etc he told me that he recommended using "Accident Exchange" for a better courtesy car etc. I'm aware of what these claims management companies do, and how they make their money. No doubt it would be nice to have my car collected and dropped off for me etc, but I don't see the need to incur all that cost. Instead I intend to avoid the accident management company, and get my wife to collect me after dropping my car off for the repair, and the just use her car for a couple of days, then get a lift in to pick mine up again. What I'm trying to say is: I'm happy to avoid the courtesy car and accident management fees etc because I don't believe in taking the pi55 - however one thing I WOULD like, is the right to have my car repaired somewhere _I_ trust to do a good job, rather than an independent of unknown quality.
PPS - Although this person is another member of staff at my office, we employ over 300 people on this site and I don't think I'd ever spoken to this person before the crash. So I have no "prior relationship" with them as such.
So, does anyone have any suggestions for me on my right to choose a body shop? Or anything else I should consider? Cheers.
Full version:
Hi all. I've had my car hit whilst parked and wanted some advice, as I've not been in this situation before:
Recently my car was hit in the work's car park by one of the other members of staff at my office. It was a low speed manoeuvring misjudgement which has taken some of the paint off and gouged the plastic bumper (I think it will need filling and spraying). They admitted it was them, and accepted that they would have to pay to fix it or make a claim on their insurance. So far so good, could have been a lot worse if it had been a public car park and a drive off.
My car is an E65 7 Series, which was otherwise immaculate inside and out (it's the main reason why I chose that one when buying it). I take care of my cars and take pride in keeping them in good condition, as is my right as a car nut, servicing properly, cleaning and parking at the far end of public car parks to avoid dings etc. Many people in the world don't care for their cars as much as us on this forum, but I do. As a result I don't think it's unfair to want the repair to be of a good quality.
So I took it to a BMW body shop for a quote, which came in about where I expected it to price wise.
I've not shared the quote with the chap yet, because I've been mulling over whether I'm obliged to get a 2nd quote or whether (as I'm not at fault) I can just choose/dictate where I want my car to be repaired. I think that if I had a crash myself then my insurer would ask me to get multiple quotes, however as the "innocent party" I perhaps don't have to do this?
Could/should I just tell him I want it to go to BMW and he can either pay, or claim on his insurance and have them pay? I know this is what I'd like to do, because I think they'd do a proper job. But I don't know if I'm obliged to let him or his insurers insist on multiple quotes or them choosing a body shop.
PS - When I asked the chap at BMW about their turnaround time etc he told me that he recommended using "Accident Exchange" for a better courtesy car etc. I'm aware of what these claims management companies do, and how they make their money. No doubt it would be nice to have my car collected and dropped off for me etc, but I don't see the need to incur all that cost. Instead I intend to avoid the accident management company, and get my wife to collect me after dropping my car off for the repair, and the just use her car for a couple of days, then get a lift in to pick mine up again. What I'm trying to say is: I'm happy to avoid the courtesy car and accident management fees etc because I don't believe in taking the pi55 - however one thing I WOULD like, is the right to have my car repaired somewhere _I_ trust to do a good job, rather than an independent of unknown quality.
PPS - Although this person is another member of staff at my office, we employ over 300 people on this site and I don't think I'd ever spoken to this person before the crash. So I have no "prior relationship" with them as such.
So, does anyone have any suggestions for me on my right to choose a body shop? Or anything else I should consider? Cheers.
I believe (not certain) if you are claiming off someone else's insurance, you can take it wherever you like. If you're claiming off your own, they'll usually expect you to get a number of quotes and they'll pick the lowest.
In your situation I'd just get a quote from BMW and take it to him. If he doesn't like it, go through the insurance.
In your situation I'd just get a quote from BMW and take it to him. If he doesn't like it, go through the insurance.
You can take it wherever you like. However, this tends to preclude you having the benefit of a courtesy car or a guarantee for the work.
If you have another car to use and know a bodyshop who can take care of it, then go for it. I did this following an incident with my weekend car a few years ago. It paid dividends as I didn't want some unknown making a sows ear of my pride and joy.
My daily got clipped at the end of last year but I elected to go with the insurance. It's just as well as the bodyshop made a few errors which ruined the look of the paintwork. One quick shout(semi-sternly) to the insurance company and they took care of it all.
If you have another car to use and know a bodyshop who can take care of it, then go for it. I did this following an incident with my weekend car a few years ago. It paid dividends as I didn't want some unknown making a sows ear of my pride and joy.
My daily got clipped at the end of last year but I elected to go with the insurance. It's just as well as the bodyshop made a few errors which ruined the look of the paintwork. One quick shout(semi-sternly) to the insurance company and they took care of it all.
Currently in a similar situation expect my car is likely a total loss.
Also like you I'd like it dealt with quickly and cleanly and see no need to add unneccassary cost.
Have a read of my recent threads - unfortunately it seems the insurance companies are in on the scam and my insurer is penalising me for not wanting to play ball by going through a claims management company and taking an overpriced hire car.
Extremely frustrating.
Best of luck with your claim.
Also like you I'd like it dealt with quickly and cleanly and see no need to add unneccassary cost.
Have a read of my recent threads - unfortunately it seems the insurance companies are in on the scam and my insurer is penalising me for not wanting to play ball by going through a claims management company and taking an overpriced hire car.
Extremely frustrating.
Best of luck with your claim.
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