To claim or not to claim?

fishfishfish · 28 Apr 2011 at 10:36

I had a collision with a rock last night (see my other thread) and have just returned from the VW Dealership.

Bad news. I need a new alloy, a new tyre, a new rear axle, new front suspension and a new track rod. They reckon it's going to be at least £1500.

Should I put this through the insurance or not? I've only been driving six months (currently pay £1100 pa with RAC) so will lose any NC and expect my insurance premium to rise. I'll also need a courtesy car, or hire car, as I've got a 100 mile commute to do every day.

What are your thoughts?

NeverWinter · 28 Apr 2011 at 10:40

Sounds like a possible write-off, what is the car?

Jez · 28 Apr 2011 at 10:41

Go to a specialist VW garage, and ignore everything the main dealer has told you would be my first step.

DM · 28 Apr 2011 at 10:42

Best have a claim and bite the bullet then, at least 1500 means 2k plus a few hundred renting a car.

fishfishfish · 28 Apr 2011 at 10:50

It's a 2008 VW Polo. Managed to drive it OK to the dealer, albeit with a bit of tyre roar and a wonky steering wheel...

Disco Boy · 28 Apr 2011 at 10:51

Get it repaired elsewhere, probably won't cost you £1500.

Jez · 28 Apr 2011 at 11:03

DM said:
Best have a claim and bite the bullet then, at least 1500 means 2k plus a few hundred renting a car.

you know what the monkeys at main dealers are like though, mercedes say my whole car needs a rebuild every time it goes near them

DM · 28 Apr 2011 at 11:07

Jez said:
you know what the monkeys at main dealers are like though, mercedes say my whole car needs a rebuild every time it goes near them

Thats true, but the other train of thought is if hes having a claim let them do it right, is there much difference between a 1k claim and a 2k claim?

But yea take it to a specialist and get a quote, then see if the main dealer will come down a bit.

Jez · 28 Apr 2011 at 11:10

Oh no a claims a claim, get it done at the dealer. But i bet he can get that fixed himself a lot cheaper than a main dealer nonsense quote and avoid messing his insurance up

CaptainRAVE · 28 Apr 2011 at 11:13

Jez said:
you know what the monkeys at main dealers are like though, mercedes say my whole car needs a rebuild every time it goes near them

lol, too true. That is why I always take mine to an independent specialist.

DM · 28 Apr 2011 at 11:13

Jez said:
Oh no a claims a claim, get it done at the dealer. But i bet he can get that fixed himself a lot cheaper than a main dealer nonsense quote and avoid messing his insurance up

Ah with you now, its the lack of coffee, yes yes i agree with that.

But our man needs to rent a car for 10 days while its fixed, plus the repair, and im not sure of his finances.

rG-tom · 28 Apr 2011 at 13:06

I'm amazed at how little difference a claim makes to insurance prices,3 years ncb and no claim is only ~100 quid cheaper than than 1 years ncb and a fault claim for me on a £650 policy, which makes anything over ~£500 definitely worth claiming for (excess dependant obviously)

fishfishfish · 28 Apr 2011 at 15:52

Thanks a lot for the feedback. Decided to claim as the garage said it wasn't sure whether there was other damage, which would have ultimately left me with over £1500 to pay out...

Will look out for rocks in future. The insurer joked (I hope) that it was generally better if the claimant hit the oncoming vehicle as they're unable to make counter claims against fallen rocks.