Accident repair on newish car

[RotorRambler]

Apologies if asked lots before, couldn t see a recent ask..

Wife s 2.5 year old Phev had a significant impact yesterday. Was totally immaculate, under 10k miles, keeping it forever.. A van sideswiped her, clearly his fault.
She did well to control it & stay on the road.
As seen on excellent footage front & rear dash cams! Submitted to insurer. No police involved.

So the insurers recommended insurer already wants to pick it up today.
Their repairer:-
Include a lifetime guarantee on repair work (whilst you own the vehicle)
Use manufacturer's specification parts (with no impact on warranty)
All panels on passenger side damaged, door hard to open. Front and rear bumper sides damaged. Front wheel hit. The panoramic roof, slight step in the glass surround both sides.
Drives fine!
Doesn t look as bad as it sounds.
But my concern is the Phev part really, which has an 8 year warranty.

Is it ok to use their repairer?
Of could I insist on main dealer?

I have asked them a question after a google:-

Are the technicians IMI Level 3 or 4 EV qualified for high-voltage vehicle repair?

Will the PHEV battery pack and HV system receive a documented post-collision inspection?

Car was purchased new & owned outright.
Has gap insurance 36 months.

Edited by RotorRambler on Wednesday 20th May 06:40

[Dark85]

You have the right to choose who repairs your vehicle.

Personally I'd always go with a trusted indy or main dealer over the insurers repairer; I want someone who wants to keep me happy as their customer rather than keep my insurance company happy as this basically translates to get it done as cheaply as possible.

Your insurance company might threaten to pass on extra charges to you but this is nonsense - Coles Vs heatherton ruled that as long as the costs are reasonable in the local market the insurer must pay them.

They can however make you pay an additional excess - normally an extra £200 for using your own repairer. Although I've always thought it'd be interesting for someone to challenge the legality of that.

Edited by Dark85 on Wednesday 20th May 06:51

[charltjr]

I think you’re worrying over nothing, it’s just bodywork from the sounds of it.

A main dealer will most likely outsource the work anyway.

[RedLightGreenLight]

If you have the ability to use a main dealer authorised repairer, unless the main dealer actually has a repair outfit, that would be my recommendation. As the car will now be marked with accident history and will carry some future weight having being properly repaired by an authorised main dealer repair etc.

But you are also right to double check the credibility of whoever is going to do the repair, plus the warranty side of the repair and how it affects the overall warranty of components etc.

[RotorRambler]

Thanks for the above
You’re probably right about it just being body. My concern on that was the roof. Panoramic sunroof. Its surrounds are also glass panels. One side now has a step at the front. The other a step at the back. I haven’t tried the roof in case it sticks open & it rains!
Also I didn’t want to give the manufacturer and sniff of a get out in the future, on the battery 8 year warranty.

[21TonyK]

Door hard to open, step in the roof around the glass?

[Dog Biscuit]

WIth the description there's a chance that could be a total loss - depends whats causing the stiff door.

Any shell deformation will certainly make it expensive to repair. Has it been inspected and quoted for?....I'm guessing not with it happening so soon.

Anyway, the main thing is that the precious cargo is OK - cars are just metal and plastic.

Hope she's not too shook up

[RotorRambler]

21TonyK said:

Door hard to open, step in the roof around the glass?

Yep..
The front door is catching the front wing.
It was a big side swipe. From a big van.

Being picked up today.

Thanks above, she is Ok, surprisingly.

I’m surprised he is, after saying it was her fault. I’ve seen that look before!

Edited by RotorRambler on Wednesday 20th May 07:09

[GolfDragon]

Hope everyone is ok.

Go to main dealer or your preferred repairer. Shouldn’t cause any issues with insurance (especially if third party is liable). With all the vehicle technology it’s probably better so they can recalibrate all the systems with the correct tools.

I had Autoglass replace my windscreen (of course not as bad as your damage), but then had to return to get them to recalibrate sensors etc. Main dealer would likely sort this as part of their fix

[Deerfoot]

RotorRambler said:

I m surprised he is, after saying it was her fault.

That's just the standard response from van drivers I think. A quick survey of Amazon, DPD, Fed Ex etc vans shows you just how well they are driven..

[trickywoo]

RotorRambler said:

21TonyK said:

Door hard to open, step in the roof around the glass?

Yep..
The front door is catching the front wing.
It was a big side swipe. From a big van.

Being picked up today.

Picked up for repair or assessment?

[LordGrover]

The door and roof sound concerning - proper structural damage.
I'd expect/want a write-off, especially as you have gap cover.

[RotorRambler]

trickywoo said:

RotorRambler said:

21TonyK said:

Door hard to open, step in the roof around the glass?

Yep..
The front door is catching the front wing.
It was a big side swipe. From a big van.

Being picked up today.

Picked up for repair or assessment?

Both I believe.
Maybe i’m over thinking it though. Neighbours car was fixed by the same place recently and they did a good job. A proper outfit.
They do have numerous accreditations etc etc. I think i’ll just go with the flow for now, will ensure they update me before starting anything

[timberman]

My admittedly limited experience of approved repairers is that they're much working in the interests of the insurance company and not for the owner of the vehicle being repaired,

I would never let the insurance company decide who should repair my car and would prefer to use a main dealer or trusted workshop.

[RotorRambler]

LordGrover said:

The door and roof sound concerning - proper structural damage.
I'd expect/want a write-off, especially as you have gap cover.

I did wonder that, thanks. Maybe it’s not as bad as I make out, but will see what they find. Will ensure they can see what I am seeing.
I did check what the same spec car is going for now. ChatGpt estimates (take with a pinch of salt) that the repair would be ovef 50% of that. Will get the truth in the coming days.

[21TonyK]

See what the ins. co. come back with. Several threads on car damage, theres one recently about what makes a car a write off.

Could be all sorts of complications and if the A pillar and roof are in question.

[alscar]

RotorRambler said:

Maybe i m over thinking it though. Neighbours car was fixed by the same place recently and they did a good job. A proper outfit.
They do have numerous accreditations etc etc. I think i ll just go with the flow for now, will ensure they update me before starting anything

You are quite within your rights to dictate where the car is repaired despite what the Insurer may try and tell you but doesn’t mean the Insurers choice is wrong especially if as you say you can already see evidence of their work.
If you insist on “ your “ choice the Insurer may well ask for a formal quote first too which could extend the whole process.
A lot of MD’s farm out their work anyway to approved body shops including high end marques.

[Jader1973]

Both bumpers, front wing, both doors, rear quarter, a wheel (and maybe suspension?) and something has moved in the roof.

I suspect it will be written off.

[ashenfie]

Doors hard to open and some discussion of damage around around the panoramic roof would almost definitely be a right-off. My mini cost £8000 to repair and only had front and rear bumper damage. From what you are saying you have at least double that.

[RotorRambler]

Roof is a funny one. Just say a 5mm step at front of glass panel on drivers side. Similar step at rear on the passenger side.
Looks minor but who knows.
Can just make it out on pic
The other side is flush.