Bit of a bump... Advice?
Bit of a bump... Advice?
Author
Discussion

Goose74

Original Poster:

18 posts

170 months

Friday 15th January 2016
quotequote all
'Morning all...

Some of the forum were very helpful when I asked a few questions last year about buying my Vantage. I think I then broke the rules by not posting a photo, but living in London I never seemed to be able to keep it clean enough!

Anyway, some lunk reversed into me at a junction this morning and caused a crack to the front left bumper and lighting surround, hopefully shown in the attached photo. Any idea whether this is a big job to fix, will it require the whole front section and light assembly to be replaced? I am loathe to make a claim via my insurance (even though he has accepted liability) as presumably this will still have an effect on premiums.

Any advice gratefully accepted!

GingerMunky

1,286 posts

287 months

Friday 15th January 2016
quotequote all
Had a very similar thing a couple of years ago. I went through insurance and got the wing painted. While at the bodyshop I also paid to get the other wing painted to remove the stone chips. Might be a blessing in disguise smile

woodsypedia

871 posts

183 months

Friday 15th January 2016
quotequote all
Firstly, sorry to hear that - hope you're OK.

I wouldn't be worried about the effect on premiums, it's clearly non fault. Normally, even with protected no claims, if it's your liability, that's when it has an effect. You won't have any problem with your premiums in this case. I'd take it to Aston and get it done properly. You'll have more effect on the future value of the car if you do a cheap repair.

Chris

Edited by woodsypedia on Friday 15th January 11:23

ds2000

2,756 posts

222 months

Friday 15th January 2016
quotequote all
Sorry to see this.

If it were a crap car I'd say just get it painted, but its not. It could be superficial but it could also have damaged the headlight mounts or the seal on the headlight itself (future mist up / replacement at your cost).

If they've admitted liability then I'd just let someone else worry about it. If your insurance goes up £50 so be it.


davek_964

11,325 posts

205 months

Friday 15th January 2016
quotequote all
For what it's worth, I had a fault claim a few years back (even my insurers said from the start : it's clearly your fault) and on a protected policy it didn't make any difference to my premiums. In fact I think the cost went down slightly the next year!

JACK6284

334 posts

253 months

Friday 15th January 2016
quotequote all
Front wings are a composite material like a Lotus Elise. Some damage or further cracks may appear at a later date. Professional repairs are required and the headlamp washer may also be damaged too.

AMDBSNick

7,221 posts

192 months

Friday 15th January 2016
quotequote all
woodsypedia said:
Firstly, sorry to hear that - hope you're OK.

I wouldn't be worried about the effect on premiums, it's clearly non fault. Normally, even with protected no claims, if it's your liability, that's when it has an effect. You won't have any problem with your premiums in this case. I'd take it to Aston and get it done properly. You'll have more effect on the future value of the car if you do a cheap repair.

Chris
Wise words from Chris yes

divetheworld

2,565 posts

165 months

Friday 15th January 2016
quotequote all
As other have said;
The composite wing has been compromised, moisture will wick in and cause further damage later unless it is repaired on both sides or replaced. To repair both sides, it will need to be removed anyway so a replacement is not much more. You'll still need it painted.
Also, the headlight shut line is wrong, I suspect other issues underneath, such as broken headlight mounting point. That's £1200 straight off.
Go insurance, get Aston to do it.

Goose74

Original Poster:

18 posts

170 months

Friday 15th January 2016
quotequote all
Thanks all, excellent advice, really helpful. Contacted insurance (and confirmed with the other guy who has accepted and confirmed liability) so will get it done through an AM approved bodyshop. I'll get the shutline and mountings etc. checked out too. Annoying start to the weekend but hopefully no lasting harm done.

Neil1300r

5,776 posts

208 months

Friday 15th January 2016
quotequote all
Goose74 said:
Thanks all, excellent advice, really helpful. Contacted insurance (and confirmed with the other guy who has accepted and confirmed liability) so will get it done through an AM approved bodyshop. I'll get the shutline and mountings etc. checked out too. Annoying start to the weekend but hopefully no lasting harm done.
Having seen your location under no circumstances let your car be repaired by the AM approved bodyshop in Slough. They are also approved for Bentleys, Fezzas etc. so easy to spot who I am talking about. Trained chimps would be better than them

RobDown

3,807 posts

158 months

Friday 15th January 2016
quotequote all
while you're getting it repainted, you might want to ask them to redo that yellow lipstick on the car - isn't it just supposed to be just around the grill? smile

getmecoat

Goose74

Original Poster:

18 posts

170 months

Friday 15th January 2016
quotequote all
Ha, yeah, not a great look is it?

Have been directed by the main dealer I bought the car from towards Medcalf & Co in Chertsey, don't think that's who you're referring to... Anyone used them before?

Neil1300r

5,776 posts

208 months

Friday 15th January 2016
quotequote all
Goose74 said:
Ha, yeah, not a great look is it?

Have been directed by the main dealer I bought the car from towards Medcalf & Co in Chertsey, don't think that's who you're referring to... Anyone used them before?
No not them. Although not an Aston approved place. But if main dealer recommending them then hopefully they've used them and like their work