Crash damage body shop questions

[Stats2909]

Morning everyone,

Sadly I had the misfortune to be involved in a collision this morning, some one drove into the back of me at a roundabout. Thankfully no one hurt apart from the usual headache sore neck, but the S came off slightly worse

My insurers, Directline, have arranged for the vehicle to be repaired at one of their approved body shops. I wasn't convinced by their experience in fiberglass repairs when i spoke to them, though to be fair I was probably speaking to someone in admin and they did say they would refer my repairs if needs be.

Does anyone have any questions I should ask when I speak to them to assess if I should go with the approved repairers or go elsewhere? I can see the advantage of going with these guys as the works guaranteed for 5 years and I'm not sure the same is true if i select my own body shop (at least not guaranteed by DL).

Would appreciate any experience people have, thanks, Matt

[Barkychoc]

If you can't get any sense out of DL I'd initially at least let things run - I doubt many traditional body shops will want to touch it so they may come back to you.

I would be very surprised if they don't write it off if there is fibreglass panel damage.

[Stats2909]

Thanks I think thats what I'll have to do.

A write off is what I'm afraid of, really hope it's not after getting everything under the fiberglass fully sorted.

Fingers crossed for a repair...

[phillpot]

Bad Luck !

if car is a "technical" write off your insurers may do a deal where you settle on an amount and keep the "salvage" without it actually being marked on log book as a write off, leaving you free to repair or get repaired yourself.

[tubbystu]

Allegedly you are under no obligation to use their approved repairer, though if you chose an alternative you lose the right to benefits such as courtesy car etc and as you say the guarantee on the work as that depends on and is given by the repairer themselves.

Once you contact the repairer they will probably run a mile from a fibre glass repair if they do not have the neccessary skills etc.

Assuming its drivable you should get an alternative quote from a fibre-glass capable repairer - you may even be able to get a vague estimate using photos and e-mail........ At least you will know where you stand cost-wise.

HTH

[spivvy]

if they write the car off you can fight this as the accident was not your fault,they have to be made to repair
don't let them get away with

[Stats2909]

Thanks everyone... she gets picked up today so will keep my fingers crossed.

As this wasn't my fault (confirmed by other drivers insurance) do I actually have the right to force the repair?

[Barkychoc]

Stats2909 said:

Thanks everyone... she gets picked up today so will keep my fingers crossed.

As this wasn't my fault (confirmed by other drivers insurance) do I actually have the right to force the repair?

I am not so sure - its all a matter of money and no insurance company will pay out more than the market value for a repair - in fact I think if the repair cost is something like 50% of the cars value they may write it off - as repair costs can escalate they want to manage out the risk to themselves, paying out is the easy option.

If you had been hit from behind at high speed and the car was destroyed you couldn't force them to fix it, it would be impossible! Not to mention you might need putting back together!