Car hit whilst parked - advice please?
Discussion
Long story short: wife's car (07 mk5 Golf GTi) hit by lorry while it was parked up, guy 'fessed up, gave his number, my wife phoned his boss, he seemed reasonable and said we'll pay for the repair, get us 2 quotes.
So my plan is:
1. get 2 quotes. Having never had such work before, I guess I would just go to Listers VW bodyshop to ask for a quote, and then somewhere else (not sure where yet- I could ask for recommendations in the Midlands section I guess, we're in Coventry).
2. give them the quotes, say which one I want to use (assuming if there's no material difference then I can choose).
3. payment: I don't want to shell out a penny. Will Listers (or whoever) just deal direct with the bodyshop and pay for it?
What am I being naive about? What am I missing?
As my wife wasn't in the car at the time (and assuming the other side cough up and we don't go through insurance), I assume this isn't an "accident or claim" for insurance declaration purposes?
I've not seen the car yet, but my wife has photos, and it seems the damage is to the rear bumper, 1 rear light cluster, potential wheel arch, so I don't know yet what needs replacing/paint, but to an extent I guess the amount doesn't matter to my general questions.
Any advice appreciated, thanks.
So my plan is:
1. get 2 quotes. Having never had such work before, I guess I would just go to Listers VW bodyshop to ask for a quote, and then somewhere else (not sure where yet- I could ask for recommendations in the Midlands section I guess, we're in Coventry).
2. give them the quotes, say which one I want to use (assuming if there's no material difference then I can choose).
3. payment: I don't want to shell out a penny. Will Listers (or whoever) just deal direct with the bodyshop and pay for it?
What am I being naive about? What am I missing?
As my wife wasn't in the car at the time (and assuming the other side cough up and we don't go through insurance), I assume this isn't an "accident or claim" for insurance declaration purposes?
I've not seen the car yet, but my wife has photos, and it seems the damage is to the rear bumper, 1 rear light cluster, potential wheel arch, so I don't know yet what needs replacing/paint, but to an extent I guess the amount doesn't matter to my general questions.
Any advice appreciated, thanks.
If you're in Coventry, i'd travel he 40 minutes or so that'll take to get to Southam.
Southam Bodies is run by a guy called Greg Howell - his paintwork is nothing short of perfection. I know it doesn't carry much weight around PH circles, but he paints a lot of VW show cars/feature cars for magazines - definitely worth a look
Southam Bodies is run by a guy called Greg Howell - his paintwork is nothing short of perfection. I know it doesn't carry much weight around PH circles, but he paints a lot of VW show cars/feature cars for magazines - definitely worth a look
No need to inform insurers if dealt with privately - as you have not been in an accident.
If death with through the insurance then it will be classed as a non fault claim.
Hopefully the truck company will pay privately as this will be cheaper in the long run than increased premiums.
The cheaper you find, I'd imagine, the more likely they will arrange prompt payment! A main dealer will be the most expensive option.
If death with through the insurance then it will be classed as a non fault claim.
Hopefully the truck company will pay privately as this will be cheaper in the long run than increased premiums.
The cheaper you find, I'd imagine, the more likely they will arrange prompt payment! A main dealer will be the most expensive option.
Get a quote from VW and one from a really good recommended place. Chances are the recommended will be cheaper. Ensure that you can take the car back if you are unhappy with it.
Remember that claiming on the other insurance will increase your own, even if your company ends up paying nothing as you have to say "Have you made a claim, regardless of fault" and answer yes. So the route you are taking seems best.
Remember that claiming on the other insurance will increase your own, even if your company ends up paying nothing as you have to say "Have you made a claim, regardless of fault" and answer yes. So the route you are taking seems best.
JQ said:
If the other party is paying then you need cash up front - nothing else is satisfactory.
Do not get the repairs done until you have the cash. Don't put it in the repair shop on the basis they meet the bill.
They won't give you cash. They'll want an invoice from the body shop so they can put it through the books as a business expense.Do not get the repairs done until you have the cash. Don't put it in the repair shop on the basis they meet the bill.
BE57 TOY said:
Hopefully the truck company will pay privately as this will be cheaper in the long run than increased premiums.
It depends on the size of company but a lot of the larger ones self insure up to quite high figures, I think ours is £250K, and Smaller companies will have massive excesses anyway so probably either way they'll not argue if it's a clear case of their liability. The ones to be wary of are the smaller and cowboy outfits.
sparkythecat said:
JQ said:
If the other party is paying then you need cash up front - nothing else is satisfactory.
Do not get the repairs done until you have the cash. Don't put it in the repair shop on the basis they meet the bill.
They won't give you cash. They'll want an invoice from the body shop so they can put it through the books as a business expense.Do not get the repairs done until you have the cash. Don't put it in the repair shop on the basis they meet the bill.
I've had parked cars hit twice and both times the 3rd party has just given me cash to get the repairs done after we've provided quotes.
JQ said:
In that case tough it goes through the insurance. It's a naive person who goes and gets the work done then expects someone to pay at a later date, it's far to easy for them to renege on the deal.
I've had parked cars hit twice and both times the 3rd party has just given me cash to get the repairs done after we've provided quotes.
They can pay for the repair up front, by giving the repair shop a cheque or by using the company credit card. That way they have a proper audit trail. They don't need to physically hand cash to the OPI've had parked cars hit twice and both times the 3rd party has just given me cash to get the repairs done after we've provided quotes.
Horrendous advice here - INFORM YOUR INSURER NOW.
Proceeding with a 'private' claim is a terrible idea - even if they pay-up (and it's quite likely they won't) you've broken the terms of your insurance and you're required to inform them of any incidents with your car.
Inform your insurer now - if they want to avoid making a claim they can pay your insurer directly and you remain covered and legit.
Seriously tho - people saying you don't need to inform your insurer are giving really bad advice - DON'T do that.
Proceeding with a 'private' claim is a terrible idea - even if they pay-up (and it's quite likely they won't) you've broken the terms of your insurance and you're required to inform them of any incidents with your car.
Inform your insurer now - if they want to avoid making a claim they can pay your insurer directly and you remain covered and legit.
Seriously tho - people saying you don't need to inform your insurer are giving really bad advice - DON'T do that.
johnpeat said:
Horrendous advice here - INFORM YOUR INSURER NOW.
Proceeding with a 'private' claim is a terrible idea - even if they pay-up (and it's quite likely they won't) you've broken the terms of your insurance and you're required to inform them of any incidents with your car.
Inform your insurer now - if they want to avoid making a claim they can pay your insurer directly and you remain covered and legit.
Seriously tho - people saying you don't need to inform your insurer are giving really bad advice - DON'T do that.
Someone hit me today. Damage not too bad but it's a pain in the arse none the less. He suggested paying for it but I rang my insurer as soon as I got in. His wife called a little later to ask if I had got any quotes which made me think I shouldn't have reported it. However, on reflection as long as he doesn't dispute the fact it's his fault it should be hassle free plus I get a loan car. Proceeding with a 'private' claim is a terrible idea - even if they pay-up (and it's quite likely they won't) you've broken the terms of your insurance and you're required to inform them of any incidents with your car.
Inform your insurer now - if they want to avoid making a claim they can pay your insurer directly and you remain covered and legit.
Seriously tho - people saying you don't need to inform your insurer are giving really bad advice - DON'T do that.
TO clarify what I was saying.
If you try to follow the 'private' claim route and the other party decides not to pay-up you'll then either have to take legal action (expensive, time consuming and probably pointless) or inform your insurer at that point (when they just might decide not to help you at all as you didn't tell them in a timely fashion)
If the other party wants to avoid a 'claim' they can always pay for the repairs (this applies to anyone, not just companies, you can always pay any 'claim' against you and avoid losing NCB).
What they won't avoid is the accident going onto their record tho - so their insurance will rise. This is what they really want to avoid but it's in the best interest of every other driver in the country that this doesn't happen.
So ALWAYS ALWAYS report accidents to your insurer - basically.
If you try to follow the 'private' claim route and the other party decides not to pay-up you'll then either have to take legal action (expensive, time consuming and probably pointless) or inform your insurer at that point (when they just might decide not to help you at all as you didn't tell them in a timely fashion)
If the other party wants to avoid a 'claim' they can always pay for the repairs (this applies to anyone, not just companies, you can always pay any 'claim' against you and avoid losing NCB).
What they won't avoid is the accident going onto their record tho - so their insurance will rise. This is what they really want to avoid but it's in the best interest of every other driver in the country that this doesn't happen.
So ALWAYS ALWAYS report accidents to your insurer - basically.
Many thanks all, very useful. I will definitely check out Manhattan and Southam if you've used them and can vouch for them, cheers.
No, not got it in writing that they will pay, hence I am sceptical and want to cover my ar5e. I wouldn't just stick it in the shop and expect them to cough up, I was assuming they would pay up front, but then I thought that actually that's not ideal as the repair place have no incentive (apart from the fact that they take pride in their work) to do a good job as they've been paid already.
The only real decent option I could see was that they pay ME up front, and I can settle up with the repair place myself. If they CHAPS me the money, I don't think it can be reversed? If they subsequently want the invoice (which could be addressed to them I guess) then that shouldn't be a problem? It is difficult to know what to do for the best, as everyone has their own views, particularly...
No, not got it in writing that they will pay, hence I am sceptical and want to cover my ar5e. I wouldn't just stick it in the shop and expect them to cough up, I was assuming they would pay up front, but then I thought that actually that's not ideal as the repair place have no incentive (apart from the fact that they take pride in their work) to do a good job as they've been paid already.
The only real decent option I could see was that they pay ME up front, and I can settle up with the repair place myself. If they CHAPS me the money, I don't think it can be reversed? If they subsequently want the invoice (which could be addressed to them I guess) then that shouldn't be a problem? It is difficult to know what to do for the best, as everyone has their own views, particularly...
johnpeat said:
you've broken the terms of your insurance and you're required to inform them of any incidents with your car.
If that's true, I didn't realise. I'll have to dig out the policy. johnpeat said:
TO clarify what I was saying.
If you try to follow the 'private' claim route and the other party decides not to pay-up you'll then either have to take legal action (expensive, time consuming and probably pointless) or inform your insurer at that point (when they just might decide not to help you at all as you didn't tell them in a timely fashion)
If the other party wants to avoid a 'claim' they can always pay for the repairs (this applies to anyone, not just companies, you can always pay any 'claim' against you and avoid losing NCB).
What they won't avoid is the accident going onto their record tho - so their insurance will rise. This is what they really want to avoid but it's in the best interest of every other driver in the country that this doesn't happen.
So ALWAYS ALWAYS report accidents to your insurer - basically.
OK, let's say a visitor to my house calls around to see me and whilst reversing down the drive he collides with my car causing some minor damage. He tells me to get it fixed and he'll pick up the tab. I get it fixed and he pays up. Why is it in the best interest of every other driver in the country that we should both report it and pay extra insurance premiums ?. It's not like they're going to lower anyone else's. If you try to follow the 'private' claim route and the other party decides not to pay-up you'll then either have to take legal action (expensive, time consuming and probably pointless) or inform your insurer at that point (when they just might decide not to help you at all as you didn't tell them in a timely fashion)
If the other party wants to avoid a 'claim' they can always pay for the repairs (this applies to anyone, not just companies, you can always pay any 'claim' against you and avoid losing NCB).
What they won't avoid is the accident going onto their record tho - so their insurance will rise. This is what they really want to avoid but it's in the best interest of every other driver in the country that this doesn't happen.
So ALWAYS ALWAYS report accidents to your insurer - basically.
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