Rear ended - advice please

azibux1 · 18 Apr 2018 at 19:43

Hi

Parents were rear ended by a van in slowing down traffic - driver was seemingly not paying attention.

Van on Fleet insurance.

Dad contacted his insurance.

They mentioned something about insurers sometimes not agreeing with manufacturer approved body shops, causing delays etc

What are the rules with regards to them using a manufacturer approved body shop? Can we force it?

General advice also welcome. Does a creased boot floor mean instant write off?

Thanks

Minstadave · 18 Apr 2018 at 19:55

Contact the Van drivers insurance, not your own is the usual advice. You simply notify your insurer.

They’ll arrange assessment, push for main dealer when they contact you.

Scania · 18 Apr 2018 at 20:04

They will always try to fob you off, he hit your parents, his fault.

Insist on a dealer repair - my other half was rear ended in her then 6 month old Focus by a Fleet insured HGV they insisted on going through their own repairers who said it just needed a tailgate and bumper, she told them no, went to Ford and the car was re-shelled at considerable expense to the HGV’s insurers!

Havana_UK · 18 Apr 2018 at 20:16

You are entitled to have the vehicle repaired where ever you want.

Is the vehicle driveable? If so, take it to the body shop of your choice and ask them for an estimate. Contact the van driver’s insurer and inform them where the vehicle will be repaired and ask where you should send the estimate (or where the body shop should send it).

Contact your insurer to inform them of the accident but tell them that you are having the other driver’s insurer is dealing with the repairs.

azibux1 · 18 Apr 2018 at 20:20

Thanks all

It is driveable. Wasn't aware it seems to be the case we should have had more dealings with the other insurance company rather than our own.

Isn't that the whole point of taking out legal protection etc and paying your insurance premium, to let your insurance deal with stuff like this and facilitate all the communications with the van drivers fleet insurance company?? And you need to get the hire car from your insurance etc? Which they are hopefully bringing tomorrow.

Hopefully all works out OK..

Not sure on the damage whether they will write it off or not. Rear quarter panel slightly out of shape and creased boot floor are the main concerns. Quarter panel is all one piece that goes up to and includes the roof and a pillars it looks like. And don't think creased boot floor is usually fixable?

dacads · 18 Apr 2018 at 21:17

Yep, your insurer will attempt to reclaim money from the third party insurer, if not legal protection should cover you anyway if you added it to your policy.

azibux1 · 18 Apr 2018 at 21:44

dacads said:
Yep, your insurer will attempt to reclaim money from the third party insurer, if not legal protection should cover you anyway if you added it to your policy.

Yeah I believe it is added.

Will see what information tomorrow brings, thanks!

Lakeland · 18 Apr 2018 at 22:09

This thread would have had a rather different set of responses had it been in GD!

Interested to see the outcome, hope you get it all sorted.

muon · 18 Apr 2018 at 22:31

azibux1 said:
Thanks all

It is driveable. Wasn't aware it seems to be the case we should have had more dealings with the other insurance company rather than our own.

Isn't that the whole point of taking out legal protection etc and paying your insurance premium, to let your insurance deal with stuff like this and facilitate all the communications with the van drivers fleet insurance company?? And you need to get the hire car from your insurance etc? Which they are hopefully bringing tomorrow.

Hopefully all works out OK..

Not sure on the damage whether they will write it off or not. Rear quarter panel slightly out of shape and creased boot floor are the main concerns. Quarter panel is all one piece that goes up to and includes the roof and a pillars it looks like. And don't think creased boot floor is usually fixable?

It is also why you pay for insurance. It is the service as much as it is about protecting yourself.

Hand your car to your insurer, agree on where it is getting repaired (they'll have a list of places near you), get a courtesy car and just carry on as normal.

azibux1 · 18 Apr 2018 at 22:35

muon said:
It is also why you pay for insurance. It is the service as much as it is about protecting yourself.

Hand your car to your insurer, agree on where it is getting repaired (they'll have a list of places near you), get a courtesy car and just carry on as normal.

That's what I / Dad was thinking, hence calling them.

Seems to be mixed opinions online whether or not a creased boot floor is instant write off or not. We'll have to wait and see what they say

DarkHorizon472 · 18 Apr 2018 at 22:38

The key thing is blame and costs are correctly apportioned and your vehicle is repaired to the required standard.

Generalising a lot, as long as there is no major structural damage and the repairs cost less than the value of the vehicle it will just be repaired by one of the companies recommended by the insurance company. As you say wait and see.

On Holiday · 18 Apr 2018 at 23:55

Model, year, mileage?

Participant · 19 Apr 2018 at 06:17

I was rear ended yesterday too. Brand new Mercedes E-Class. I was extremely annoyed. The gimp was admiring his beard in his rear view mirror.

Anyway all repairs have to be carried out by a Mercedes-approved service centre and body shop in order for me to maintain the warranty, so you might want to check this with the manufacturer of your car.

azibux1 · 19 Apr 2018 at 06:24

Plenty O'Toole said:
Model, year, mileage?

Audi S3 Saloon, 2016 with a rather low 12,500 miles. Was in pristine condition too

Participant said:
I was rear ended yesterday too. Brand new Mercedes E-Class. I was extremely annoyed. The gimp was admiring his beard in his rear view mirror.

Anyway all repairs have to be carried out by a Mercedes-approved service centre and body shop in order for me to maintain the warranty, so you might want to check this with the manufacturer of your car.

That sucks!

Yeah I believe Audi will be similar .. I was going to call the dealer today to check.

Invertigo · 19 Apr 2018 at 12:25

azibux1 said:
Audi S3 Saloon, 2016 with a rather low 12,500 miles. Was in pristine condition too

That sucks!

Yeah I believe Audi will be similar .. I was going to call the dealer today to check.

A 2 year old S3, I wouldnt entertain getting it sorted anywhere other than an Audi approved shop. As above, seeing as it's the third parties fault you can contact their insurance, tell them where it is being repaired and let them sort the bill.

azibux1 · 19 Apr 2018 at 13:16

Invertigo said:
A 2 year old S3, I wouldnt entertain getting it sorted anywhere other than an Audi approved shop. As above, seeing as it's the third parties fault you can contact their insurance, tell them where it is being repaired and let them sort the bill.

Yeah will go audi approved for sure.

Their fleet department seems a bit slow. Our insurance company is waiting on written contact from the fleet company before they give a courtesy car. But by law they say they have to provide one by tomorrow anyway.