Someone damaged my car - Insurance advice needed pls :(
Discussion
Evening all
Someone has cause considerable damage to my car
absolutely fuming as its my pride and joy, Not sure when it happened as i have only just noticed it, and i have yet to call the police, and i just dont know what to do regarding telling the insurance, its made me feel sick.
Its been scratched on most panels, and the lock on the drivers door has been tampered with,(not forced, but the surround around the keyhole is a little damaged)
The fabric roof has been damaged also, looks like screwdriver has been forced through it a few times,leaving it with a few holes.
Its going to need a full respray in my opinion to put it how it was as the car was immaculate.
I dont know much about insurance claims, as i have never claimed for anything, but after doing a bit of reading, i am worried the car may be written off if i claim or at least put into a Cat'?
The car is 1997 E36 BMW M3 convertible in immaculate condition and very low miles, so i would price the private resale value at the £6000 mark at least, but i know the book price is much lower at around the £4000-4500 area?
I might have this wrong, but i think i am correct in saying if the value of the claim is greater than 60% of the car, it will be put into a CAT D, which is what i dont want.
Trying to do the sums here guys, and its very close, and it all depends on whether the insurance company use the book price as a guide?
I think a full respray (private) will cost £1200-1400
New roof £2000 from BMW (private)
Thats £3000 private repair, which i am never going to afford
Respray through he insurance will be bumped up by the company doing the work i guess, which might bump it up to £2000?
New lock fitted £200 approx?
New roof at £2000 from BMW
So the claim is looking at around the £4000 area which is 60% of £6000 based on a private sale, but maybe %100 of their valuation?
excess isnt an issue even though its £750, as its covered with separate insurance
Anyone on here with experience with insurance can offer any advice?
Someone has cause considerable damage to my car
absolutely fuming as its my pride and joy, Not sure when it happened as i have only just noticed it, and i have yet to call the police, and i just dont know what to do regarding telling the insurance, its made me feel sick.Its been scratched on most panels, and the lock on the drivers door has been tampered with,(not forced, but the surround around the keyhole is a little damaged)
The fabric roof has been damaged also, looks like screwdriver has been forced through it a few times,leaving it with a few holes.
Its going to need a full respray in my opinion to put it how it was as the car was immaculate.
I dont know much about insurance claims, as i have never claimed for anything, but after doing a bit of reading, i am worried the car may be written off if i claim or at least put into a Cat'?
The car is 1997 E36 BMW M3 convertible in immaculate condition and very low miles, so i would price the private resale value at the £6000 mark at least, but i know the book price is much lower at around the £4000-4500 area?
I might have this wrong, but i think i am correct in saying if the value of the claim is greater than 60% of the car, it will be put into a CAT D, which is what i dont want.
Trying to do the sums here guys, and its very close, and it all depends on whether the insurance company use the book price as a guide?
I think a full respray (private) will cost £1200-1400
New roof £2000 from BMW (private)
Thats £3000 private repair, which i am never going to afford
Respray through he insurance will be bumped up by the company doing the work i guess, which might bump it up to £2000?
New lock fitted £200 approx?
New roof at £2000 from BMW
So the claim is looking at around the £4000 area which is 60% of £6000 based on a private sale, but maybe %100 of their valuation?
excess isnt an issue even though its £750, as its covered with separate insurance
Anyone on here with experience with insurance can offer any advice?
Harry, I am afraid that I can't offer any useful advice but just wanted to say that this post has saddened me. I would be just as gutted as you and I really hope that you get it sorted to your satisfaction.
You simply don't damage another persons car. Hanging is too painless a punishment.
Gutted for you
You simply don't damage another persons car. Hanging is too painless a punishment.
Gutted for you
No real advice, just want to say that's a crap start to the new year.
I would budget more for a decent respray though I'm afraid. Cheap ones are a false economy. Surely you can get a roof cheaper though?
I'm afraid that an insurance company will go with the pricier quotes though from their approved garages (that's not saying they will be decent repairs). Do you have a local decent BMW garage/bodyshop?
If they rate the book value at 4-5k you only need to rack up half that in repairs until it's a write off.
Contact police & insurers.
Even if it's a write off, if you know it's a mechanically tip top car, buy it back, and use the payout to get the repairs done yourself. Then put the rest in a high interest account to make up the shortfall when you sell it (as it will be a Cat D cad). Take lots of pics of the damage and the repair work so that you can demonstrate to potential buyers that it was only cosmetic damage.
Recently had the tailgate of my P&J jumped on but fortunately Swedish steel is strong stuff and it hasn't done too much damage...
I would budget more for a decent respray though I'm afraid. Cheap ones are a false economy. Surely you can get a roof cheaper though?
I'm afraid that an insurance company will go with the pricier quotes though from their approved garages (that's not saying they will be decent repairs). Do you have a local decent BMW garage/bodyshop?
If they rate the book value at 4-5k you only need to rack up half that in repairs until it's a write off.
Contact police & insurers.
Even if it's a write off, if you know it's a mechanically tip top car, buy it back, and use the payout to get the repairs done yourself. Then put the rest in a high interest account to make up the shortfall when you sell it (as it will be a Cat D cad). Take lots of pics of the damage and the repair work so that you can demonstrate to potential buyers that it was only cosmetic damage.
Recently had the tailgate of my P&J jumped on but fortunately Swedish steel is strong stuff and it hasn't done too much damage...
Recently had a similar issue with my MG. Car valued at £2500. Someone paint strippered it on every panel. I had quotes from garages of 1500+ to respray it.
The insurance assessed it and estimated the repair at £2078 + VAT - nearly £2500. The insurance company paid me out £2500 for it, less excess. I bought the car back for £450. It is classed as a Cat D write off.
I now have the choice of breaking the car for spares, or respraying it myself and selling it on/keeping it. I am not obliged (as far as i am legally aware) to disclose that it is a Cat D write off, and the V5 will not show it, as i have not had to send it away. If asked, I have to declare its a Cat D, but if not asked i do not have to divulge.
I have just bought a Cat C write off to replace my MG in the short term. The owner didnt tell me, and as it was only a few £100, I didnt bother HPI'ing it. I am not worried as it drives straight and i intend to track it when it is replaced, so i wont lose out.
The insurance assessed it and estimated the repair at £2078 + VAT - nearly £2500. The insurance company paid me out £2500 for it, less excess. I bought the car back for £450. It is classed as a Cat D write off.
I now have the choice of breaking the car for spares, or respraying it myself and selling it on/keeping it. I am not obliged (as far as i am legally aware) to disclose that it is a Cat D write off, and the V5 will not show it, as i have not had to send it away. If asked, I have to declare its a Cat D, but if not asked i do not have to divulge.
I have just bought a Cat C write off to replace my MG in the short term. The owner didnt tell me, and as it was only a few £100, I didnt bother HPI'ing it. I am not worried as it drives straight and i intend to track it when it is replaced, so i wont lose out.
Harry
I'm really sorry to read your post.
I have a friend who is a car restorer, he specialises in Saabs (noteably the old two stroke sports jobbies).
He is based in Bromyard, which isn't a million miles from your location (although far enough).
He is an absolute wizzard with paintwork, although I think the price you have quoted for a respray is a bit low.
If you can post some pictures of the damage I'll ask him to take a look at them (I know it isn't as good as seeing them for real), see if he can offer you any advice as to whether he considers the damage can be repaired without a respray.
I know this kind of repair is getting harder for him to do, as his beloved 2 pack paint supply dries up in favour of the water soluble s
te people are being forced to use.
I'm really sorry to read your post.
I have a friend who is a car restorer, he specialises in Saabs (noteably the old two stroke sports jobbies).
He is based in Bromyard, which isn't a million miles from your location (although far enough).
He is an absolute wizzard with paintwork, although I think the price you have quoted for a respray is a bit low.
If you can post some pictures of the damage I'll ask him to take a look at them (I know it isn't as good as seeing them for real), see if he can offer you any advice as to whether he considers the damage can be repaired without a respray.
I know this kind of repair is getting harder for him to do, as his beloved 2 pack paint supply dries up in favour of the water soluble s
te people are being forced to use.gti tim said:
Recently had a similar issue with my MG. Car valued at £2500. Someone paint strippered it on every panel. I had quotes from garages of 1500+ to respray it.
The insurance assessed it and estimated the repair at £2078 + VAT - nearly £2500. The insurance company paid me out £2500 for it, less excess. I bought the car back for £450. It is classed as a Cat D write off.
I now have the choice of breaking the car for spares, or respraying it myself and selling it on/keeping it. I am not obliged (as far as i am legally aware) to disclose that it is a Cat D write off, and the V5 will not show it, as i have not had to send it away. If asked, I have to declare its a Cat D, but if not asked i do not have to divulge.
I have just bought a Cat C write off to replace my MG in the short term. The owner didnt tell me, and as it was only a few £100, I didnt bother HPI'ing it. I am not worried as it drives straight and i intend to track it when it is replaced, so i wont lose out.
It is interesting to see your post regarding an MG, as although my mate does saabs these days, if you look in the heritage restoration manual for the MG.........its him !The insurance assessed it and estimated the repair at £2078 + VAT - nearly £2500. The insurance company paid me out £2500 for it, less excess. I bought the car back for £450. It is classed as a Cat D write off.
I now have the choice of breaking the car for spares, or respraying it myself and selling it on/keeping it. I am not obliged (as far as i am legally aware) to disclose that it is a Cat D write off, and the V5 will not show it, as i have not had to send it away. If asked, I have to declare its a Cat D, but if not asked i do not have to divulge.
I have just bought a Cat C write off to replace my MG in the short term. The owner didnt tell me, and as it was only a few £100, I didnt bother HPI'ing it. I am not worried as it drives straight and i intend to track it when it is replaced, so i wont lose out.
He's since stood a little closer to a razor!
He's just so bloody good with these cars, I'll try and find a picture of what he did with an old BMW 525i SE I had.
Thanks for the replies
@Nigel, The paint damage is too deep,its gone right through
I based the price of the respray on other peoples experiences with the e36 bmw by looking at different forums threads, and my friend has the same type of car and he had a quote from a very reputable bodyshop for a full spray repair for a similar price.
The roof, i could possible get a repair done or second hand one? its not that bad, and i could not claim for it,if it saves the car from going into a "CAT"
price of £2000 for the new roof and lining is bmw's price, as thats the price i got when i replaced the rear view window.
I am thinking of putting in a claim for the paint repair and lock only and fix the roof myself at a later date, that wont be a problem as i have fitted the hardtop back on (Sods law i took it off a few days ago to repair the electrics on it
You think that might be the best course of action?, I am hoping the car will be CAT free
Dont want to ruin this car, as if you seen it, its probably one the best examples out there
@Nigel, The paint damage is too deep,its gone right through
I based the price of the respray on other peoples experiences with the e36 bmw by looking at different forums threads, and my friend has the same type of car and he had a quote from a very reputable bodyshop for a full spray repair for a similar price.
The roof, i could possible get a repair done or second hand one? its not that bad, and i could not claim for it,if it saves the car from going into a "CAT"
price of £2000 for the new roof and lining is bmw's price, as thats the price i got when i replaced the rear view window.
I am thinking of putting in a claim for the paint repair and lock only and fix the roof myself at a later date, that wont be a problem as i have fitted the hardtop back on (Sods law i took it off a few days ago to repair the electrics on it
You think that might be the best course of action?, I am hoping the car will be CAT free
Dont want to ruin this car, as if you seen it, its probably one the best examples out there
Edited by HarryH on Friday 1st January 19:16
Nigel Worc's said:
It may be possible for me to help you with the roof issue.
I have a customer in Cardiff, who make roofs for BMW and Jaguar, amongst others.
I'll get their details for you.
ok thanks I have a customer in Cardiff, who make roofs for BMW and Jaguar, amongst others.
I'll get their details for you.
I am looking for a breaking e36 now, I think i have seen one before on ebay for a few hundred pounds for the roof, I think if i claim for it, the more i think about it, car will be written off.
War Pig said:
Is the roof really that much? I only know about E30s. I thought soft tops were more like £500-800.
Through BMW its probably correct, you should see the price of their recon gearboxes !Another customer I have is ZF in Nottingham, direct from ZF for 735i approx £1,700, through BMW, over £5,000 ....... and all they do is send it to ZF, who actually make the bloody thing !
War Pig said:
That's crap! Just random vandilism? Someone have a grudge against you?
Is the roof really that much? I only know about E30s. I thought soft tops were more like £500-800.
Must be random, i am not the sort of person that causes trouble with anyoneIs the roof really that much? I only know about E30s. I thought soft tops were more like £500-800.
My thinking is, it was a failed theft attempt.
I have cleared out the garage, and thats where it is at the moment
Yes,BMW quoted nearly £2000 i think, it might have been around the £1800, cant quite remember
[quote=HarryH]Thanks for the replies
@Nigel, The paint damage is too deep,its gone right through
/quote]
Once it is too deep to "polish" out, the depth doesn't matter.
I have seen him cut rust out of a panel, weld a new piece of metal in, "tinker with it" (technical term), then paint it, and I defy you to be able to tell its been touched ...... he is brilliant.
@Nigel, The paint damage is too deep,its gone right through
/quote]
Once it is too deep to "polish" out, the depth doesn't matter.
I have seen him cut rust out of a panel, weld a new piece of metal in, "tinker with it" (technical term), then paint it, and I defy you to be able to tell its been touched ...... he is brilliant.
paoloh said:
If insurance repair the car, it won't be Cat'd.
The damage you describe will make your car a total loss and a Cat C in my opinion.
thats what i am dreading, hence I might fix the roof myself when i get some extra money saved up,(luckily i have the hardtop for it)The damage you describe will make your car a total loss and a Cat C in my opinion.
@Nigel
The car will definitely be in need of a full repsray imo, its beyond polishing
and if i was to paint it, i would want the whole car doing i think
HarryH said:
paoloh said:
If insurance repair the car, it won't be Cat'd.
The damage you describe will make your car a total loss and a Cat C in my opinion.
thats what i am dreading, hence I might fix the roof myself when i get some extra money saved up,(luckily i have the hardtop for it)The damage you describe will make your car a total loss and a Cat C in my opinion.
@Nigel
The car will definitely be in need of a full repsray imo, its beyond polishing
and if i was to paint it, i would want the whole car doing i think
Start looking for ads online and in mags of VERY similar cars to prove the value.
You will of course not mention that it has a hard top as you could sell that for £400-£500
Stick to your guns re insurance payouts.
I had a shunt in Sept. that did quite minor panel damage to my Scirocco. As new parts are no longer available, it was decided that the car would be written off Cat C and I could keep the car and perform the (easy) repair myself.
Their opening offer to me was £200. I sent them proof of one identical car selling on eBay for £1,650 and within 10 days I had a cheque for £1,400 plus kept the car.
Play hard ball and NEVER accept their first offer.
I had a shunt in Sept. that did quite minor panel damage to my Scirocco. As new parts are no longer available, it was decided that the car would be written off Cat C and I could keep the car and perform the (easy) repair myself.
Their opening offer to me was £200. I sent them proof of one identical car selling on eBay for £1,650 and within 10 days I had a cheque for £1,400 plus kept the car.
Play hard ball and NEVER accept their first offer.
paoloh said:
HarryH said:
paoloh said:
If insurance repair the car, it won't be Cat'd.
The damage you describe will make your car a total loss and a Cat C in my opinion.
thats what i am dreading, hence I might fix the roof myself when i get some extra money saved up,(luckily i have the hardtop for it)The damage you describe will make your car a total loss and a Cat C in my opinion.
@Nigel
The car will definitely be in need of a full repsray imo, its beyond polishing
and if i was to paint it, i would want the whole car doing i think
Start looking for ads online and in mags of VERY similar cars to prove the value.
You will of course not mention that it has a hard top as you could sell that for £400-£500
The hardtop, i bought separate
Do you think i am mad in thinking i can wait until the summer to make a claim when prices have risen for soft tops? Someone tell me thats a stupid thing to do,and probably illegal.
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