Car written off after dent!

[StewartIngram]

Tuesday afternoon I was involved in a minor scrape with a Peugot van, the driver admitted all liability and told his insurance. Before I'd even had chance to contact my insurance when I got home I received a call from his insurance, offering to help. Now I know that I can get it looked at by a garage of my choice, and I have still got my own insurance as well, but at the moment I've gone with the help.Obviously I've notified my lot and they are ok with it, but say contact if/when I need to.
Pics attached, but it is in reality only a dent! They quoted the age/mileage of the car (2004, 139K) as being uneconomic to repair with new parts, then asked if I was ok with a repair (my words, a dent pulled out & filled), which I agreed. Next call was from a bodyshop (Autoglass) saying a mobile van could do it on my driveway, they asked for pics. Later they said too complicated to do as mobile.
Question is, what would this cost me if I put it in to be done? Initial thoughts with my insurance are that they may as an option offer a cash payment. I could even do it myself, but want to make sure I'm getting the right payment if I do go that way.

[stevestrat]

Call a local bodyshop and get them to have a look at it, give you a non insurance quote, will be considerably lower than an insurance repair. If its reasonable tell the insurance you want to retain the car (or buy back) with a suitably adjusted settlement.

[victorgte]

Originally Posted by stevestrat

Call a local bodyshop and get them to have a look at it, give you a non insurance quote, will be considerably lower than an insurance repair. If its reasonable tell the insurance you want to retain the car (or buy back) with a suitably adjusted settlement.

Great advice. Also don’t let the car go anywhere. If his insurance offer to collect the car, refuse. It’s a bit more work for you but do it yourself so you keep the car. Personally I would accept a settlement and keep the car. A bumper will pop up for £50 or less. The rear wing will then be a minor job for any good body shop. My daughter accepted £800 for her Peugeot and then did not bother to get it repaired as it was 17 years old. Generous offer indeed as she bought the car 2 years earlier for just £300.

[hogweed]

Years ago, when one of those stupid little pillars in ASDA car parks bashed the front wing of my M3 (they're just below window level, so you can't see them sneaking up on you) the local insurance-approved body shop quoted me "something like £800-900".


When I came round from the cardiac resuscitation, they told me insurance companies insist on all new parts etc, thus the fortune for what was a pretty minor repair - also "complicated curve that, Sir, never be able to get it right with a repair".


I asked around, and found a local cash-in-hand guy who did it for £160. Perfect repair, to my eye anyway.

[StewartIngram]

Bumper is ok, just scuffed so easy to refinish. Only the top of the wheel arch dented, though a fair depression round it, and more scuff marks under the petrol filler. I could do it myself, but really don't need the hassle. However if it comes to it I will, just need a price to negotiate with.
Only paid £700 for it about 21 months ago, and have new suspension, brakes, and lpg conversion so no way am I losing it! Know the car inside out too through 11 years experience of maintenance.

[v-man]

Originally Posted by StewartIngram

Tuesday afternoon I was involved in a minor scrape with a Peugot van, the driver admitted all liability and told his insurance. Before I'd even had chance to contact my insurance when I got home I received a call from his insurance, offering to help. Now I know that I can get it looked at by a garage of my choice, and I have still got my own insurance as well, but at the moment I've gone with the help.Obviously I've notified my lot and they are ok with it, but say contact if/when I need to.
Pics attached, but it is in reality only a dent! They quoted the age/mileage of the car (2004, 139K) as being uneconomic to repair with new parts, then asked if I was ok with a repair (my words, a dent pulled out & filled), which I agreed. Next call was from a bodyshop (Autoglass) saying a mobile van could do it on my driveway, they asked for pics. Later they said too complicated to do as mobile.
Question is, what would this cost me if I put it in to be done? Initial thoughts with my insurance are that they may as an option offer a cash payment. I could even do it myself, but want to make sure I'm getting the right payment if I do go that way.

It might be worth contacting Iain Rutherford at Dents Norwich. Have seen him work magic on various dings, etc at Kings Lynn meets.


You can have a look at his blog for examples of his work on various vehicles.


http://www.dents-norwich.co.uk

[SD1too]

Originally Posted by StewartIngram

... then asked if I was ok with a repair (my words, a dent pulled out & filled), which I agreed.

I'd be inclined to accept that offer Stewart, provided that you're happy to live with the distorted corner of the plastic bumper. Is there any paintwork involved?

Simon

[ceedy]

Had very similar looking smear on my zt yesterday by a lorry who disappeared.looks worse than it really is ? 😉 Most of it was paint/ dirt Transferred over ,after a good go with some t cut type paste it's. 90% gone, worth a go.