Quick noob insurance question

Soldato
Joined
28 Dec 2003
Posts
16,589
Ok noob question.

Had a little coming together with someone before Christmas. Six of one and half a dozen of the other on blame plus damage didn't look too bad so we agreed to sort ourselves out rather than go through insurance as it would just have gone knock-for-knock anyway.

Finally get round to getting a quote for the work, admittedly from main dealer's body shop and it's come out rather higher than I was anticipating.

I presume I still have the option of going through the insurance and just claiming for my own damage? Don't know if I want to do this yet though as I'm concerned about what it'll do to my premiums next year. I do have protected no claims but is my premium likely to sky-rocket?

Ugh, hassle :(
 
Before you panic, get a quote from a local independent, recommended* bodyshop - making it very clear that it is not insurance work.

It'll probably come out a fraction of the price.

*One of the few things Facebook is genuinely useful for - find a local group page, and ask for recommendations on there. I use this approach for all sorts of traders and it's invaluable.
 
Yeah I'm obviously going to get a couple more quotes but doesn't it need to be an "approved" repairer, especially as the car is on finance and not technically mine?
 
What about the other party, any chance that they might have similar feelings/outcome after getting a quote?

As said above, most dealers will use their own approved body/paint shop so it might be worth finding who they use and approach directly to get a quote.

Also, post up pics so that we can have an oogle :D
 
What about the other party, any chance that they might have similar feelings/outcome after getting a quote?

No idea although hopefully not.

As said above, most dealers will use their own approved body/paint shop so it might be worth finding who they use and approach directly to get a quote.

That's where I've been today :)

Also, post up pics so that we can have an oogle :D

I'll think about it :D

It's basically a dented front wing and a few bumper scuffs plus a scrape/chip to the alloy (diamond cut).
 
So how much have you been quoted and what were you expecting?

If the wing is repairable I'd guess bodywork around £500 (2 panels painted plus pull/fill on the wing) £75 for the alloy
 
So how much have you been quoted and what were you expecting?

If the wing is repairable I'd guess bodywork around £500 (2 panels painted plus pull/fill on the wing) £75 for the alloy

I wish!

They've quoted for a replacement wing and a load of crap behind it for some reason.

£1800 !!
 
Seems pretty normal for a mail dealers, their approach will be to replace everything with new parts rather than attempt any repairs. Likely an indy shop will do it for a fraction of that by repairing the existing wing if it can be.
 
Have a read through of the policy documents which will tell you if there is a time limit for the claim. Provided you notified them that there had been an incident that you were not intending to claim for within the timescale they give I'd imagine it's not going to be an issue that you've subsequently decided to claim.
 
Yeah got a couple more quotes and they're similar as all saying the wing needs replacing. Can't be repaired, which is what I feared, as it's too badly dented plus the fact that it's aluminium apparently complicates repairs.

The quote is for the wheel too obviously plus the front bumper is a bit scraped so needs some work.

Doubt I'll put it through insurance as my total excess is £600 anyway, just have to put it down to experience and swallow it.
 
The issue here is that if he makes the same conclusion and decides to go through his insurance you'll have issues.

Knock for Knock isn't a thing and hasn't been for about 30 years. It's generally 50/50 where each insurer covered 50% of the other parties costs in split liability scenarios.
 
I always think all this is not worth the hassle, just go through insurance, that's what its there for, how much does it normally go up if you make a claim?
 
Ok noob question.

Had a little coming together with someone before Christmas. Six of one and half a dozen of the other on blame plus damage didn't look too bad so we agreed to sort ourselves out rather than go through insurance as it would just have gone knock-for-knock anyway.

Finally get round to getting a quote for the work, admittedly from main dealer's body shop and it's come out rather higher than I was anticipating.

I presume I still have the option of going through the insurance and just claiming for my own damage? Don't know if I want to do this yet though as I'm concerned about what it'll do to my premiums next year. I do have protected no claims but is my premium likely to sky-rocket?

Ugh, hassle :(

What actually happened?

We had a thread on here where people were like the other person was at fault but insurance said I was even with dash cam footage.

We asked them to tell us what happened and it was obvious they were at fault and not the other person.

So it's 50/50 who is at fault. If he is then go through insurance 100%.

So what actually happened?

Again shows lack of knowledge to cost of repairs these days also. A decent respray for a single panel on a decent brand car will be around £350-£500 minimum.

You could get it done by a cowboy for cheaper but not the same finish. So a hard knock and it's always best going through insurance.
 
Hope you told your insurance company about it when it happened, you have to let them know even when not making a claim, they ain't going to be happy when you tell them now
 
I always think all this is not worth the hassle, just go through insurance, that's what its there for, how much does it normally go up if you make a claim?

Thing is it likely going to cost a few hundred from a indy garage, so a claim will cost you more than that over the 5 years you have to declare the claim to future insurers. If it was £1800 from a indy the insurance would be the way to go
 
Back
Top Bottom