insurance work

[richie_stix]

hi there anyone who is reading this...

does anyone have any experience getting their car repaired by another drivers insurance company, as I may be about to go through it...

i was hoping someone might have some advice, like whether you HAVE to use their approved body shops, or pitfalls i may encounter?

 

the reason i ask is explained here

 

http://www.oldskoolford.co.uk/phpBB2/vi ... sc&start=0

[Jimbob-Squarepants ©]

You can specify a repairers to carry out the works for you... you don't have to take it to theirs. However, a mate of mine had his car hit while it was parked, and he wanted it to go to a garage of his choice, but the other insurers declined.

 

I think it's something that is being phazed out due to people running up big claims and having the work done at 'mates rates' thus pocketing the left over cash.

 

Also if the work is done at their recommended repairers you have more clout for complaints due to the repairers being recommended. If a place has bad reports or complaints about their work, they get a black mark against their name and will eventually loose their insurance companies recommendations. This will ultimatley loose them work and money, so the jobs are normally carried out quickly and professionally, and any cock ups are corrected without fuss.

 

That being said, I would have thought your car would be written off by the insurers as 'uneconomical to repair' due to it's age. If this happens, you will recieve a pay out from the other persons insurers (the first offer you don't have to take), and you can then get it repaired by a garage of your choice

[Rick]

id go for the write off option too. only problem is they may try and claim its worth £50 or something daft to whihc you must dispute, back up with evidence ie sales of similar cars of similar mileage/spec

 

its worth fighting for

[sab6024]

Someone drove into the back of my Capri about 4 years ago. I went around loads of Garages around here who all took one look at it and said "nah it's too old we only repair new cars". My local garage who was my last choice said they would do it. They bodged it up and it had to go in 4 times The insurance assessor chappie was great though. He used to work for Ford in the bodyshop and he looked at it after the first time and said it's a crap job. Only trouble is that I couldn't allow the car to go to another workshop as you have to give the original repairers chance to fix it I told the manager I couldn't have done a worse job with Hammerite and a Paint Brush

 

Ask around mates or anyone who might have had work done before. They could be able to recommend good repairers around your way. I sure as hell can't recommend any down here

[Jubfab]

Try and avoid the write off option - if they cat C it you have to have a VIC check.

 

I'd avoid the approved repairer - there not interested in the older stuff and just like to repair the newer stuff. You can use who you want, go by recommendation in the area. Someone must know a good repairer round you (where are you ?? )

 

Also insurers don't like repairing third party vehicles as in this case due to hire costs etc.

 

Personally i'd go for a cash settlement and walk away..

 

If you want more info PM me - i might be able to help

[richie_stix]

All sound advice... fook knows where i would be without this forum!

 

luckily for me my car is in london, and relativly near to bexlyheath so i have tickover capris really near by and they really know their shit!

 

being written off doesn't sound great and is just an added hassle, i think a cash settlement would do me fine tho... specially since my bumper was from a mk2 and it's not declared on my insurance policy, and i would rather get given cash towards another rather than get a shitty mk3 one again as i have one at home!

 

cheers guys

[Jubfab]

the problem is people dont say what they want till the decision is made.

 

my advise is as soon as you know the engineer is coming say from word go that you want a cash settlement. Insurance companys dont have any special sources for parts especially for the older stuff. So there likely not want to repair due to parts issues etc.

 

If you get a good engineer and talk to him / her then i'm sure they will be accomodating. Would defo stress you dont want it written off. Only other advise i'd give is dont be greedy. Just be fair with what you want and research parts costs etc before they get there.

 

I woudn't worry about the bumper it's not exactly a mod - dropped suspension, non standard air filters, shiney wheels. thats what they dont like.

 

good luck and let us know how you get on

[oliwally]

Also becareful as some insurance companys who write cars off decline you buying it back,some do this to recycle and get old cars off the road.

Mate had a chavalier gsi that got cloated from the rear,written off.

Cool he thought as he had a very tidy nova and wanted to buy the car back and swap over the engine.

Insurance wouldnt let him and took the car away and crushed it or scrapped it.