Accident - Insurance claim

[JulianT]

I've just had a minor bump at an island in the elise - he thought I had gone and I hadn't

The damage seems to be a small hole in the rear offside with the usual fiberglass splitting and cracking you get from impacts. It doesn't look too bad but I know fiberglass can be quite deceptive. Everything else seems ok and it didn't feel like a large impact.

I've had to go via my insurance mainly because the 3rd party was driving a company car and at the time I wasn't really thinking.

I've got a couple of questions which I was hoping someone could help with:-

1. My Elise is quite old (S1 X plate) and I'm worried that if I insist on going to a Lotus approved garage to have it fixed, there could be a possibility the insurance company would write off the car. Especially if they decide the clam needs replacing. Is this a valid concern as I've seen S1's with the same mileage and age going for over 14k in AutoTrader so I think I should be ok. Note my insurance doesn't have a guaranteed valuation set.

2. Is there a good fiberglass repair garage in the Shropshire area that anyone can recommend?

I know someone who had a similar incident a while back and they took it direct to Christopher Neil. They used a 3rd party company that handled the claim and as the 3rd party admitted liability, they provided a like for like hire car whilst the elise was being repaired. I'm not sure if this is an option but then I guess I would worry about the car being written off.

Thanks guys

Julian

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Stephen]

Get pdf's of as many similar cars for sale as you can just in case.

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[russelld]

https://www.option1sportscars.co.uk/accident-repair/

 

Option 1 in Bromsgrove is one of the best and not far from you.

Pisser about the bump :-(

[Jonathan E]

Option 1 have a very good reputation so I'd be looking at it going there, the problem with Elises is that on the whole insurance assesors have no idea whatsoever about what they cost to replace, and so when faced with a repair estimate they simply thumb through their Parkers guide and come up with a stupid valuation for the car concerned. As above do your research and get as many ads of similar cars as you possibly can, at least you are then prepared should you get a numpty assesor, and will have a strong case if they try to write it off. 

Hth

[Martin 111S]

As others have said, get examples of similar cars for sale. Jonathan has it pretty much spot on.  With regard to a hire car, a like for like one sounds good  but will cost. This cost will eventually be added to the claim value and so may have an impact on whether they repair or write off - bear this in mind !!

If you can mange without a car then I would do so, or go for the basic option to minimise the costs. No idea of repairers in your area, but best of luck with it.

At least its someone elses fault rather than your own, so technically the other person has to put you back into the position you were in before the accident - i'e make good your car or make sure you are able to purchase a replacement of the same standard. You may need your ins. co. to fight this for you but they have to. 

 

When my SC was written off, I pushed for the full value I wanted, finally got it ( offered silly money to start !! ) and told them at the time I wanted a replacement car in the same colour, and if one wasn't available they were paying for the respray as the colour was important to me, and I could prove that it was. Negotiations were done and I came away happy  I told them I was prepared to sue the culprit for the extra money if we couldn't reach an agreement. All the while driving around in a Merc SLC.

[JulianT]

Thanks for the advice guys, I'll insist on Option 1 once I get the go ahead and I'll start collecting evidence on the values.

Sounds like you had a right game Martin. Hopefully this will be ok. It's just a pain for it to happen. The annoying thing is that I mostly work from home so this was a rare trip to the office


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[i wanna ferrari]

I work in the insurance industry (although not motor) and shouldn't say this but you would be better off if they did write the car off.  They would pay you what it is worth and you can then buy the car back from them for salvage value if you so wish and then get it repaired yourself and pocket the difference.  In any case, a new clam fitted and painted would be around £4k so if your car is worth £14k they should not write the car off.  You can also insist where the car goes - do not under any circumstance let them take it to one of their accident repair centres as they will not have a clue how to repair it.  Hope this helps?

[JulianT]

It'll definitely be going to a specialist that's for sure.

Value wise I'm not sure really as its my daily drive so it's showing a bit of wear now. 14k was just what I saw on Auto Trader but in reality I think mine would be a lot less. But if it written off, wouldn't that affect the value going forward? Not that I would ever sell it mind.


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[Jonathan E]

If it was written off it would be listed as Cat D and therefore will always command a lower price than a non Cat car. However you will have pocketed the difference in money between the salvage value and the insurance settlement whatever that may be. Cat cars are lower value but not necessarily less sought after, particularly as the number of cars available gets less. Over the years I've seen quite a few cars where this has been done, and sometimes those cars have been so meticulously repaired they were better than when they rolled out of Hethel, but they will always be listed as repaired, Cat D is usually cosmetic, i.e., clam repairs etc.

You need to get a realistic figure for your car, be fair when comparing what's being advertised out there in comparison to your car, at least this will give you a starting figure when the insurance company look at it. From what your saying the repair will go ahead and your only worry will be what car you'll have to use while yours is being fixed.

Check your insurance policy but as a rule of thumb insurance companies often state that 60% of the value of the vehicle before they write it off. Different companies use different percentages, but by checking your small print to see if they list a percentage along with your "fair" value you will be armed and ready for an assessor who might be looking to get in and get out quickly.

Elises/Exiges vary massively in relation to mileage, condition, service history etc don't forget any mods(as long as they're listed with the ins co) post some pics up of the damage, S1 clams are quite repairable so fingers crossed you'll soon have you P&J back to its best.

[Martin 111S]

Depending on who your insurer is, you may not get the chance to buy it back. Some send it auctions allowing folks to bid for it, rather than offering it to the original owner. If it does go to auction the price can vary wildly, as I found out with mine  

[Jamie Fritz]

I think everyone should have to do insurance of their expensive things as well as life insurance too it will provide benefit in the end for sure.

[JulianT]

Finally managed to get it sorted. To cut a long story short, Oakmere didn’t seem that interested and appeared to cause delays. Not sure if it was the claims management company trying to nail them down to a massive discount. Anyway, I got frustrated and went to Option 1. They were superb. Both in arranging the repair and the work they did. So impressed that I’m going back next year to get the front done. Thanks Russell and Jonathan for suggesting them!


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[russelld]

Glad you got it sorted