Insurance Nightmare - HELP!
Discussion
Looking for some advice... I'll try to spare the emotional details!
Easter weekend someone went into the back of us on the M25, he admitted fault straight away to us and plod. Our car (2010 MK6 Golf) was badly hit but drivable from the scene, so we went home.
We phoned our insurance company (Admiral) who agreed it was non-fault, so passed us on to their claims company Albany Assistance.
Albany arranged for estimate to be done, which came back at 3.8k + VAT (car cost us 11.5k in January 2014). Car was deemed drivable (although no parking sensors work, exhaust has been pushed back, boot lid stiff to use etc).
Car was booked in to be repaired 2 weeks later... We then got a phone call to say the rear panel has been put on back order and there was no estimate for date it would arrive.
I phoned VW who told us 5-6 working days, which should have been yesterday.
Today we get a phone call from the garage saying that part has been put back again, next estimate is 19th June (2 months after the incident) but they still can't be sure. After that car will need 10 days of repair.
In my mind this is an unacceptable time to wait for the car to be repaired, and although I appreciate that we can't get the car repaired anywhere else due to lack of parts, I would like to move things forward by exploring the idea of writing the car off, getting the money and finding a new car... It seems it would be quicker than waiting for the part to arrive.
Both Admiral and Albany Assistance have told us this isn't possible because the car is 'economically repairable', and supposedly there is no reasonable timeframe for this repair to happen. Their worry being that if they write the car off they will never get the money back from the 3rd party insurer.
I can't speak to the 3rd party insurance company (MoreThan) because they're closed over the weekend, but it seems like they might say the same.
Basically - what options do we have?
Do we have to wait until VW start manufacturing the part again? Or can we force the issue of total loss?
My issue (and admittedly not their problem) is that my wife is due to give birth at the time the car is now supposedly being repaired and this is our main car. Could we push on the line that although drivable, the car isn't as safe as it should be?
Any advice greatly appreciated... I'm at the end of my tether with it!
Easter weekend someone went into the back of us on the M25, he admitted fault straight away to us and plod. Our car (2010 MK6 Golf) was badly hit but drivable from the scene, so we went home.
We phoned our insurance company (Admiral) who agreed it was non-fault, so passed us on to their claims company Albany Assistance.
Albany arranged for estimate to be done, which came back at 3.8k + VAT (car cost us 11.5k in January 2014). Car was deemed drivable (although no parking sensors work, exhaust has been pushed back, boot lid stiff to use etc).
Car was booked in to be repaired 2 weeks later... We then got a phone call to say the rear panel has been put on back order and there was no estimate for date it would arrive.
I phoned VW who told us 5-6 working days, which should have been yesterday.
Today we get a phone call from the garage saying that part has been put back again, next estimate is 19th June (2 months after the incident) but they still can't be sure. After that car will need 10 days of repair.
In my mind this is an unacceptable time to wait for the car to be repaired, and although I appreciate that we can't get the car repaired anywhere else due to lack of parts, I would like to move things forward by exploring the idea of writing the car off, getting the money and finding a new car... It seems it would be quicker than waiting for the part to arrive.
Both Admiral and Albany Assistance have told us this isn't possible because the car is 'economically repairable', and supposedly there is no reasonable timeframe for this repair to happen. Their worry being that if they write the car off they will never get the money back from the 3rd party insurer.
I can't speak to the 3rd party insurance company (MoreThan) because they're closed over the weekend, but it seems like they might say the same.
Basically - what options do we have?
Do we have to wait until VW start manufacturing the part again? Or can we force the issue of total loss?
My issue (and admittedly not their problem) is that my wife is due to give birth at the time the car is now supposedly being repaired and this is our main car. Could we push on the line that although drivable, the car isn't as safe as it should be?
Any advice greatly appreciated... I'm at the end of my tether with it!
herewego said:
In what way do you think the car is not safe?
Well with a large crease in the boot floor, a smashed rear panel (crash barrier underneath bumper) and a crease in the rear 3/4 panel... If someone was to go in to the back of us again (unlikely I know, but a possibility), would the car react in the same way? Would it protect the occupants as well as it was designed to?calibrax said:
Given the values you stated I'd be very surprised if they agreed to write it off when the car is roadworthy and driveable. Why should they pay out double what the repairs cost?
I realise it's frustrating, but I think you will just have to be patient.
That's really the crux of my question... The insurers are saying there is no such thing as a 'reasonable timeframe' for repairs to be done... VW could say the part isn't going to be ready until next year and that would be agreeable apparently!!I realise it's frustrating, but I think you will just have to be patient.
In that case it appears to me that the only other option is to write it off and we can all move on!
I would take it to a garage and see if the tester would pass it if it was to go in for an MOT. If not I would be asking for a courtesy car.
The insurance company can then decide if 4-6 weeks worth of hire car costs plus the repair are cheaper than writing it off and getting it over with.
The insurance company can then decide if 4-6 weeks worth of hire car costs plus the repair are cheaper than writing it off and getting it over with.
randomeddy said:
I would not want to be driving about in a car that needed 3800 of repairs doing to it.
OP,surely there is a light out at the back/number plate damaged etc? Only needs a small thing to make it not useable.
Why does the value of repairs concern you?OP,surely there is a light out at the back/number plate damaged etc? Only needs a small thing to make it not useable.
Let me put it another way.
A full respray can cost 4000,does that mean its dangerous to drive?
randomeddy said:
I would not want to be driving about in a car that needed 3800 of repairs doing to it.
OP,surely there is a light out at the back/number plate damaged etc? Only needs a small thing to make it not useable.
At insurance prices that could range from very little, whole bumper, rear lights some paint and fitting to a serious amount of structural stuff.OP,surely there is a light out at the back/number plate damaged etc? Only needs a small thing to make it not useable.
Repair rear panel if possible - It is only a lump of metal. A good panel beater can work wonders!
Get Partno and start calling VW dealers, if the supplying dealer does not do this as a matter of course? (We used to)
God forbid, but a 2nd hand part? (May not really be feasible I suppose)
Pattern Part?
Get Partno and start calling VW dealers, if the supplying dealer does not do this as a matter of course? (We used to)
God forbid, but a 2nd hand part? (May not really be feasible I suppose)
Pattern Part?
Something similar.
Chap reversed into me in Tesco Car Park
No probs with liabilty, discussed if he wanted to go 'private' or via Ins
One hour later!!! Avviva rang, organised repair and collection, and hire car
Just told me to contact my ins to let them know it is all in hand which i did
An update , ins is due next month. and was worried that the premuim would rocket as predicted by many others on here!!.
I just went onto the meerkat site, as i did last year and got a drop of 100 ( from 400 to 300,direct line to privilege)
to see what offers there are this year
Well after a strong Malt i looked again at the quotes, advised them of the new dent and looked at a quote of 214 form the AA
so i put in for the Royce and got one for 220 for that. What is going on?
Chase up the guys ins and demand a courtesy car ASAP
Chap reversed into me in Tesco Car Park
No probs with liabilty, discussed if he wanted to go 'private' or via Ins
One hour later!!! Avviva rang, organised repair and collection, and hire car
Just told me to contact my ins to let them know it is all in hand which i did
An update , ins is due next month. and was worried that the premuim would rocket as predicted by many others on here!!.
I just went onto the meerkat site, as i did last year and got a drop of 100 ( from 400 to 300,direct line to privilege)
to see what offers there are this year
Well after a strong Malt i looked again at the quotes, advised them of the new dent and looked at a quote of 214 form the AA
so i put in for the Royce and got one for 220 for that. What is going on?
Chase up the guys ins and demand a courtesy car ASAP
Jammiedodger said:
calibrax said:
Given the values you stated I'd be very surprised if they agreed to write it off when the car is roadworthy and driveable. Why should they pay out double what the repairs cost?
I realise it's frustrating, but I think you will just have to be patient.
That's really the crux of my question... The insurers are saying there is no such thing as a 'reasonable timeframe' for repairs to be done... VW could say the part isn't going to be ready until next year and that would be agreeable apparently!!I realise it's frustrating, but I think you will just have to be patient.
In that case it appears to me that the only other option is to write it off and we can all move on!
randomeddy said:
TPS said:
Why does the value of repairs concern you?
Let me put it another way.
A full respray can cost 4000,does that mean its dangerous to drive?
A re-spray would just be for cosmetic purposes,this car has been hit and damaged.Let me put it another way.
A full respray can cost 4000,does that mean its dangerous to drive?
You are relating the price to damage.
Ok,so what is the level of damage?
Out of that 3800 you could have......
800 minor parts,ie lights bumper and trim.
2000 paint.
And only a 1000 for structural.
So again why does 3800 suddenly make it unsafe?
randomeddy said:
TPS said:
Why does the value of repairs concern you?
Let me put it another way.
A full respray can cost 4000,does that mean its dangerous to drive?
A re-spray would just be for cosmetic purposes,this car has been hit and damaged.Let me put it another way.
A full respray can cost 4000,does that mean its dangerous to drive?
Thanks for the advice - I'll wait to speak to Third Party insurers on Tuesday and see what they have to say, I'll also look onto the MOT tester route... Looks like a courtesy car would be the best solution.
Also thanks for the stereotypical PH responses... I understand 11.5k is a mere drop in the ocean to the majority of company directors on here, but it's the most I've ever spent on a car and I'm keen to protect that money as much as possible... But not to the extent where it puts my wife or first born in harm's way.
Also thanks for the stereotypical PH responses... I understand 11.5k is a mere drop in the ocean to the majority of company directors on here, but it's the most I've ever spent on a car and I'm keen to protect that money as much as possible... But not to the extent where it puts my wife or first born in harm's way.
Concentrate on getting a courtesy car from the third party's insurers. Find a reason why the car is not safe to drive. Fumes coming into car? I agree about the MOT tester route - my local town is full of them, and I am sure they would be happy to write you a report for a small consideration. After all, driving an unroadworthy car is an offence, and if you were in any doubt you should have made proper checks. The verbal opinion of plod trying to clear the M25 does not count as proper checks.
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