Evening guys. Cut a long story short, someone in a transit van has reversed into my girlfriend's parked car. They were either drunk or didn't check their mirrors as they shunted it a good couple of feet. We have the evidence on CCTV.

They were in a sign written van and contact has been made. The driver has admitted it and says he 'thought I could blag it and get away with it as no one saw me'. As you can imagine I am fookin' fuming!!

 

I have told my missus to go to the police with the video and to go through the correct insurance procedure.

 

My question is with regards to the insurance claim devaluing her car. It is an immaculate 09 plate Fiesta zetecS with low miles and FFSH. Current values are circa 7.5k but cat d ones are 4.5/5k. Is it possible to chase his insurance for the diminished value??

 

Thanks for any advice.

The assessor called today. The car will have a new boot(and badges),bumper and diffuser at the rear. Apparently Ford bumpers come pre painted? And the front bumper will be repaired and painted, and a new grill at the front. The rear slam panel requires a 'very slight' repair according to him. Are we within our rights to ask for the car to be four wheel aligned due to impact at the rear and the force it hit the high kerb at the front? Also I'm worried about the paint match. Existing paint, pre painted rear bumper and repainted boot and front bumper is a bit of a miss mash! Colour is Ford panther black.

 

Thanks for all the constructive replies and the support. Appreciate it guys :thumbup1:

 

this is one of pet hates cars that's have bits that don't match perfect you could be lucky as the car isn't old. a sprayed panel on a old cars looks due to old vs new paint

If it doesn't match, don't accept it. Make sure they get it right.

 

I've told Hannah to make sure I'm there when they drop the car back. I wanted to send the car up to Bodymech, but she didn't realise she'd authorised the work earlier when they called her. To be fair, she just wants it back, and having a Hyundai i20 courtesy car isn't helping. Like Richard said it should be like for like!

They weren't going to touch the front bumper until I spoke to the assessor.

there trained to take the cheapest route not the best one for the car after all they are there to make money not to help. but to help them self sad world we live in isn't it

You are in the drivers seat (pun not intended). Tell your Insurers EVERYTHING u need to put things right. They should be able to demand it on your behalf from the other party, especially as they have admitted liability. Good luck.

Glad you're getting there mate. Thing about using your insurers recommended repairer is that you may get certain guarantees for the work (depending on your company of course). The insurer I work for gives lifetime guarantees on paint and boy repairs if using our recommended repairers.

 

I agree with the above, if the paint/repair isn't up to standard, don't accept it.

 

The courtesy car side of things may also depend on the insurers policy, quite often you don't get a like for like.

Thanks for the thought mate!-I'm sure the colour will be fine, bumpers are pre-painted but will match I reckon.Ford usually good.

As said, if not happy don't accept it,simples!

Glad you're getting there mate. Thing about using your insurers recommended repairer is that you may get certain guarantees for the work (depending on your company of course). The insurer I work for gives lifetime guarantees on paint and boy repairs if using our recommended repairers.

 

I agree with the above, if the paint/repair isn't up to standard, don't accept it.

 

The courtesy car side of things may also depend on the insurers policy, quite often you don't get a like for like.

 

I accept that Lee; but when the accident isn't your fault, you still may exercise your right to like for like replacement - but as you may not be able to claim for such on your own insurance, you liaise with their legal expenses recovery department and arrange for the third party's insurers to cover the costs; assuming they have accepted liability. I know the law has changed (or is currently in the process of changing) regarding credit hire - but the fact remains, if the third party is clearly at fault (and has accepted liability), then they must be held responsible for making sure you suffer the minimum inconvenience!

 

As said before, I drive a nearly new, high spec Mercedes. If some twunt is responsible for causing damage to my car, then, providing they have accepted liability, why should I have to "slum it" for the duration of the repairs? My own premium is based on the type of car I drive - irrespective of the premium charged - so I would be seeking to charge the third party for what amounts to a reasonable cost in the event they were at fault for the RTC!

 

Most insurers will naturally not include like for like courtesy car cover in their premiums - but then if I crashed my own car, I would not expect such a service!!

 

Richard:clover:

The problem there comes when I third party individual (the other driver) accepts responsibility and then changes his mind. Or although they felt mortally responsibly, they weren't legally responsible etc. Was looking at an interesting one just last week involving that kind of thing. Obviously (and sadly) I can't go in to it though

Thanks for the thought mate!-I'm sure the colour will be fine, bumpers are pre-painted but will match I reckon.Ford usually good.

As said, if not happy don't accept it,simples!

 

Cheers bud. Wish you guys were closer. It'd be nice to know that people that take pride in their work were looking after it.

The problem there comes when I third party individual (the other driver) accepts responsibility and then changes his mind. Or although they felt mortally responsibly, they weren't legally responsible etc. Was looking at an interesting one just last week involving that kind of thing. Obviously (and sadly) I can't go in to it though

 

Makes sense mate - although in this case (as with mine, rear end shunt, reliable witnesses etc) the "turd" party appears banged to rights; both morally and legally...:wink:

Oh yes, certainly can't see this one being in question like. I recon the evidence is compelling haha

UPDATE:

 

Was supposed to get a call back last Wednesday and have the car back last Friday.

Got a call this Tuesday saying it will be delivered back to us on Wednesday.

Called to check the driver was bringing a copy of the 4 wheel alignment, was told it's not having one. I suggested he check the video so he could see the impact with which the fronts hit the kerb. 30 minutes later an alignment has been done, it did need tracking (and a new wheel). This means the car will be back today.

Car is dropped off and there is a big patch missing from one of the side skirts. There admittedly was a slight chip that had been touched in but someone at the repair centre seems to have got a bit heavy handed with a high power jet wash!! They took photos and said they'll get back to Hannah. They are are now on their way to pick it up again!!!

This is ridiculous, they can't have missed it as it's the first thing Hannah saw!

 

Service has been shocking. They weren't going to repair the front until I called them, they weren't going to do an alignment until I called them, they were supposed to call back and never did, then they drop the car back having damaged another area themselves, and it would of been misaligned with a buckled wheel!!

 

We're moving closer to Bodymech!

its very frustrating that I had the same prob they just try and get away with doing the least amount of work to fix it they charge us a small fortune in insurance and then rip us off if you do claim its big con I hate insurance companys with a passion

Just like gas and electric you need it, you have to buy it and therefore you get ripped off.

Sad but true chaps :sad:

Just read this whole thread Daffy mate....makes shocking reading:mad2: Hope your sorted in the end to your sastifaction.

Just read this whole thread Daffy mate....makes shocking reading:mad2: Hope your sorted in the end to your sastifaction.

 

Thanks Bri.

Thanks Bri.

 

on a lighter note iff there is one...your sig does make me laugh mate..:rofl::rofl::rofl: ime on the 15psi chocolate boost myself too:no:

Need your opinions guys. Am I being too fussy?

 

Got the car back today and I'm less than impressed with the alignment of the bumpers. Rear is tight to the light cluster one side and 5/6mm lower the other. Where the front bumper meets the wing the gap goes from 0 to 6/7mm over its length.

 

As I explained to Hannah (as she's now really upset for not noticing it) that 95% of people wouldn't care or notice. But if I was looking at it as a potential buyer (we aren't selling it for the foreseeable future) then it would lead me to ask if it's been in an accident.

 

The trouble is, the guys at the bodyshop are going to be getting pissed off so worry how they'll treat the car if it goes back. Why can't people just do their job properly FFS!!!!

 

Am I too fussy, should I let it slide? What would you do?

 

Daffy.

I wouldn't worry about their feelings. If the insurers nominated the bodyshop, get back to them. There is no point

in looking at the car each time you see it and thinking I wish I had got it sorted properly at the time.

No your NOT fussy!-get it back and get it right!

this is one of the reasons I left the Bodyshop scene as the lads on the shop floor always got the flack!

Cheers guys. I was going to see if I could get an appraisal from my local detailing specialist purely as it might carry more credence with the insurance co. But I think I'll arrange to drive it to the bodyshop myself and go over the car with the 'manager'. They can't fob me off as it simply isn't right.

Cheers guys. I was going to see if I could get an appraisal from my local detailing specialist purely as it might carry more credence with the insurance co. But I think I'll arrange to drive it to the bodyshop myself and go over the car with the 'manager'. They can't fob me off as it simply isn't right.

 

Contact the insurance mate and tell them your just not happy with the job..as you say the bodyshop are going to fob you off as i bet there invoice has been sent already for payment. Terrible service from start to finnish ime thinking:thumbdown:

They are going to love me tomorrow.

 

1 Rear Bumper: Poorly aligned. Sits lower on the right hand side (OSR). This wasn’t noticeable before the repair.

2 Front Bumper: Poorly aligned. Needs lifting, panel gap at wings are tight at the bottom and open at the top. Paint will rub at the bottom if left as is. Panel gap was uniform before the repair.

3 Scratches to the NSF wing. These were caused by the accident.

4 Colour difference shows where the bumper meets the NSF wing.

5 OSR light cluster is damaged. There is an internal crack.

6 Paint has been rubbed away at the boot shut line NSR. When boot was opened and closed after being damaged?

7 Tailgate spoiler has scratches on its leading edge and either side of the high level brake light. When removed from the old tailgate and placed on the floor?

 

Note: We were told by your technician that if a bonnet or are wing are painted then all 3 need to be painted. This is due to how the metallic paint lays on the panel.

I wouldn't worry about their feelings. If the insurers nominated the bodyshop, get back to them. There is no point

in looking at the car each time you see it and thinking I wish I had got it sorted properly at the time.

 

Agreed - hell; even it you chose your own body shop, the guys would have gotten paid to restore the car back to it's pre-accident condition. If they failed, then it should go back as many times as it takes for them to do a proper job......:mad: