Rear bumper totalled

Merlin5 said:
Hi guys, I've phoned the insurance just to let them know of the incident but not claiming at the moment. Haven't spoken yet, was in a queue, I'm waiting for a callback.

Anyway, been to my mates mechanic who is calling me later with the price. He showed me that the horizontal metal that the bumper covers has been pushed in about an inch, it moved the spare wheel forward because the tightening screw holding the spare wasn't centred anymore, making it difficult to get the spare if I needed it. He said the spare wheel stopped any further damage.

The metal beam behind the plastic bumper is completely bent and needs replacing. Boot floor is ok.

So, he needs to push out the metal, and replace beam and bumper. The tailgate hasn't been engaging properly on the latch and so the tailgate warning light has been on the dashboard, but that will fix itself once he's done the work.

Once I get the price I'll put it to the neighbour but I don't think he'll pay more than £500 and I reckon it's going to be between £700 and £90, or maybe more. The mechanic is happy to speak to my insurers (should it go through insurance) to tell them he can do the work so that it's not written off.
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Knowing there is hidden damage now, and he was so adament it was only superficial, I would tell him your intentions then post back here with his reaction.
 
I can't be bothered to read the whole thread @Merlin5 but, absolutely 100% do the following:
1. inform your insurance company (you are legally obliged to do so regardless of how you are going to handle the repair)
2. tell your neighbour you are going to do it through insurance - his excess is irrelevant unless HE wishes to claim for the damage to HIS car
3. contact HIS insurance company and inform them you wish to get the job done through them. They will almost certainly agree to it all, provide a loan vehicle for the duration of the repairs, etc.

I wouldn't be at all surprised to see the cost of this repair exceed £1000 if done properly. Painting the bumper alone will be a £200 job, and if there's anything bent behind it (highly likely I'd said given the apparent force of the impact) then the costs will spiral fast. I had a shunt up the rear from I'd guess 10ish MPH and the repair cost came to £1800!

When the wife's car was hit whilst stationary on a dual carriageway (impact speed probably ~40mph) the repair cost came to £12000!!!
 
since he only bought it recently, with some, accompanying service items, its value should be clear, if, he did see writing the car off as pragmatic
ie. walking with his whole investment.
it would also depend if no fault claim policies are genuine, so he didn't get penalised down the line.
 
Ok guys, here's where I am with this saga. I called Churchill to report the incident but not claim. So now they have all the details of the incident ready to claim if I give the go ahead. By the way, I asked them if I had to let them know in a short time frame, they said not at all, in fact, he said I didn't need to report it unless I wanted to claim. That's what I like about Churchill, they're easy going. They won't hold me to any no fault claims either. So he gave me an email address and reference number to forward my photos and recording of the neighbour admitting fault. I gave them all his details and his insurers.

The mechanic called me and gave me these prices. £200 new bumper, £48 new beam, paint & materials £100, labour £320, VAT = £797.12
He offered me an alternative of second hand bumper and second hand beam with a total repair price of £630.

I put the first price to my neighbour and he said he thought it was just going to be the plastic bumper. Lol? He said he couldn't afford it or he could pay me in installments. I said nope, no installments, cash up front before any repair work commences. I said to him "with the greatest of respect, you wouldn't expect or accept installments from me if I'd hit your car".

Then I offered the alternative £630. He thought about it and said he'll speak to his wife and we'll speak tomorrow.
Otherwise I'll just activate the insurance claim. But I'm really hoping he goes for the £630 because it saves hassle and the mechanic can do it next week. He said he needs it for 3 or 4 days.

Also, I asked him to quote me for three separate bodywork areas that came with the car. I was expecting like over a grand but he said £300. So I might get those done too while he's got the paint, it would really clean up the car nicely.
 
Merlin5 said:
Ok guys, here's where I am with this saga. I called Churchill to report the incident but not claim. So now they have all the details of the incident ready to claim if I give the go ahead. By the way, I asked them if I had to let them know in a short time frame, they said not at all, in fact, he said I didn't need to report it unless I wanted to claim. That's what I like about Churchill, they're easy going. They won't hold me to any no fault claims either. So he gave me an email address and reference number to forward my photos and recording of the neighbour admitting fault. I gave them all his details and his insurers.

The mechanic called me and gave me these prices. £200 new bumper, £48 new beam, paint & materials £100, labour £320, VAT = £797.12
He offered me an alternative of second hand bumper and second hand beam with a total repair price of £630.

I put the first price to my neighbour and he said he thought it was just going to be the plastic bumper. Lol? He said he couldn't afford it or he could pay me in installments. I said nope, no installments, cash up front before any repair work commences. I said to him "with the greatest of respect, you wouldn't expect or accept installments from me if I'd hit your car".

Then I offered the alternative £630. He thought about it and said he'll speak to his wife and we'll speak tomorrow.
Otherwise I'll just activate the insurance claim. But I'm really hoping he goes for the £630 because it saves hassle and the mechanic can do it next week. He said he needs it for 3 or 4 days.
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Needs to speak to his wife?

What's she going to do about it?
 
The Running Man said:
Needs to speak to his wife?

What's she going to do about it?
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She's the one who seems to be holding the purse strings far as I can tell and working more than him, she's a civil servant. So no doubt she'll recommend whether they can pay the cash or let it go through insurance.
 
Let's hope they see sense and pay up
You have been way fairer to him
Than he has any right to expect
I sure wouldn't have offered him the quote with 2nd hand parts
Bet if the roles had been reversed you
Wouldn't have seen the same decency from him
He would have been on the phone to insurance in a flash
 
Well I know, but, the mechanic assured me I wouldn't notice any difference between second hand and new and frankly, it's easier and quicker to get it done without going through insurance and waiting for investigators to assess the damage on both cars, etc, and then possibly writing it off.
He can do the repairs next week and then this would be behind me and I can move on.
 
This guy is taking the mick now. I don't understand why you are letting him dictate the terms when he hit your car.

I would be on the phone to his insurer now, enough mucking about.
 
i hope im wrong but usually when they flinch at the price its not normally a good sign, maybe he thinks he can get his story straight and find an excuse not to pay.

i know what nieghbours are like did some work after i moved into the house for next doors son, on a old renault , everything sweet until a week later asked about money and he refused to pay (his dad actually helped me so never any question of being free), never got paid and had nothing but trouble with them till they moved 4 years later.

sorry of topic lol
 
Lopéz said:
This guy is taking the mick now. I don't understand why you are letting him dictate the terms when he hit your car.

I would be on the phone to his insurer now, enough mucking about.
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This. The longer you drag this out the harder and more complicated it’s going to get. Call insurance and be done with it.
 
Merlin5 said:
Ok guys, here's where I am with this saga. I called Churchill to report the incident but not claim. So now they have all the details of the incident ready to claim if I give the go ahead. By the way, I asked them if I had to let them know in a short time frame, they said not at all, in fact, he said I didn't need to report it unless I wanted to claim. That's what I like about Churchill, they're easy going. They won't hold me to any no fault claims either. So he gave me an email address and reference number to forward my photos and recording of the neighbour admitting fault. I gave them all his details and his insurers.

The mechanic called me and gave me these prices. £200 new bumper, £48 new beam, paint & materials £100, labour £320, VAT = £797.12
He offered me an alternative of second hand bumper and second hand beam with a total repair price of £630.

I put the first price to my neighbour and he said he thought it was just going to be the plastic bumper. Lol? He said he couldn't afford it or he could pay me in installments. I said nope, no installments, cash up front before any repair work commences. I said to him "with the greatest of respect, you wouldn't expect or accept installments from me if I'd hit your car".

Then I offered the alternative £630. He thought about it and said he'll speak to his wife and we'll speak tomorrow.
Otherwise I'll just activate the insurance claim. But I'm really hoping he goes for the £630 because it saves hassle and the mechanic can do it next week. He said he needs it for 3 or 4 days.

Also, I asked him to quote me for three separate bodywork areas that came with the car. I was expecting like over a grand but he said £300. So I might get those done too while he's got the paint, it would really clean up the car nicely.
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i just sent this to my bodyshop, looks like your getting ripped silly
repair.jpg


should have gone to your neighbours garage for a quote.
 
I wouldn't have offered the option off used parts. Now you've given him the price I would wait 24 hours and ask him again. If any further hesitation then just go through his insurance as he's being a dick (I would have gone through my insurance for this though - they get all the hassle and just claim it back from the other party).
 
Hades said:
I wouldn't have offered the option off used parts. Now you've given him the price I would wait 24 hours and ask him again. If any further hesitation then just go through his insurance as he's being a dick (I would have gone through my insurance for this though - they get all the hassle and just claim it back from the other party).
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if its a brand new car thats still in warranty period then yea use new parts. but old car i wouldnt hesitate to use second hand parts as long as they are not nackered.
 
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