Advice Please - is my motor written off? - Page 3

briggie · 25-04-2013, 22:09

you can always refuse to sign the delivery sheet when they bring it back .... don't feel pressured

briggie · 25-04-2013, 22:12

might be a good idea to have someone with you when they do bring it back too , the driver might not be a happy bunny when you refuse delivery , and may even say you have to sign ...... no you don't

spautoparts · 25-04-2013, 22:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by jims-terrano

Exactly Rick

the insures must have the car repaired back to original spec regardless of previous condition. if this is not achievable then the car is written off.
to me the car is a CAT C or CAT D write off according to the description of the damage you gave

I would ask for a second opinion

jims-terrano · 26-04-2013, 15:13

Well having locked horns with the insurance company, the repairers and an accident management company I've just about had enough of this crazy situation.

Basically our Scenic will have 3 different colour mismatches on the rear and none of the above are going to do anything about it.

The spare wheel is having a brand new tyre fitted just in case it's structure had been damaged by the crush. Doubt it'll be the same brand as all the other tyres either.

The repairs have cost £1800 which does not excede the market value of the vehicle. It's value is just short of £3000, bet they wouldn't of given me so much if it had been a loss would they. I also know PArkers don't agree with that either.

So this has been a very nasty experience, the car will have mismatch paintwork and so devalued. We are both still suffering physically. We don't honestly think we can trust the car any longer if it were to be involved in an accident. So at a time when we can least afford it we are going to be forced to replace the vehicle but god knows what with or how. We can't do a thing about it, it feels like legalised robbery or something.

This has left a very bitter taste indeed.

jims-terrano · 26-04-2013, 16:43

Am I missing something here.

The insurance company is actually a solicitors, under writers are a seperate company again. The car hire, repairers and accident management company are one company.

They have told me how much they value my car at, which is more than local car sales are selling comparable cars for. Parkers value it at around the repair cost from a franchiased dealer with the px being far lower.

To repair the car has made the company more money than if they were to write it off. Are they repairing on inflated valuations?

Am I being paranoid here?

clivvy · 26-04-2013, 17:27

sounds like it Jim. As Peter has said, ring them back, write to them, informing them you are not happy, and will not accept the car unless it is repaired as SPAUTOPARTS has said, simple as that. I have NEVER known an insurance company do such shoddy work....

as for the paint mismatch, are you aware of previous accident on that car?

What I think, is they have pressured you into accepting the bare minimum for the car, and it just so happens to be a profit for them. Personally, I would seek advice from Citzens Advice and Trading Standards.

I know you have had enough, and I know you don't like this situation, but I really feel like this is a cowboy operation going on-very unprofessional too. You need to turn around and say "hold on, im not accepting this".

Also, make sure you seek full compensation for you whiplash claim.

jims-terrano · 01-05-2013, 23:34

Well the car is being delivered back tomorrow, the tailgate has been realigned and the number plate replaced. The colour match is hard lines, the two paint chips are being classed as existing damage making me out to be a liar.

It's the end of the road with the repairer and accident management company. They've got away with riding rough shod over us. If we have any further complaints we must take them up with the insurance company as they are washing their hands of the job.

So we are lumbard with a car I'll never trust again to transport my family and a constant reminder of how badly we've been treated. This will end up driving us both round the bend. The stress is terrible from this and will nag us until we can afford to dump this dam car.

briggie · 01-05-2013, 23:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by jims-terrano

Well the car is being delivered back tomorrow, the tailgate has been realigned and the number plate replaced. The colour match is hard lines, the two paint chips are being classed as existing damage making me out to be a liar.

It's the end of the road with the repairer and accident management company. They've got away with riding rough shod over us. If we have any further complaints we must take them up with the insurance company as they are washing their hands of the job.

So we are lumbard with a car I'll never trust again to transport my family and a constant reminder of how badly we've been treated. This will end up driving us both round the bend. The stress is terrible from this and will nag us until we can afford to dump this dam car.

im sure you don't have to accept it back jim if you aren't happy

jims-terrano · 02-05-2013, 00:34

Pete, I've got a phone bill you wouldn't believe coming my way. These companies are just so big and powerfull you just cannot battle against them. I'd love to name and shame them publicly on here but there's slander and all that.

briggie · 02-05-2013, 08:09

copied from a yahoo forum jim ......

after a car is damaged or wrecked and a body shop or repair centre fixes it, you have to sign off on the paperwork that you are satisfied with the repairs. If you are not then point out to the repair shop and call you insurance provider and tell them what needs to be looked at and repaired again.

You do not have to take the car if your not happy with repairs....you need to deal more with your insurance provider and not the shop...the shop doesnt care and will try to get you to accept as is...tell your insurance provider you want to take the car to another shop to have the repairs fixed correctly...

stand your ground and they will do as you request...otherwise threaten to sue...

Source(s):

25 years in auto industry and I work at a dealer

briggie · 02-05-2013, 16:09

any news / action yet jim ?

jims-terrano · 02-05-2013, 19:03

It's back Pete.

Colour Match is duff, Bumper, quarter panels and tailgate.

The tailgate has a nice chunk og paint missing down to bare metal, I'm guessing it flaked off when the old moulding was removed. This area is a lot worse than when they tried to deliver it earlier in week.

Don't know if I've got any more fight left in me for yet more costly phone calls. I've spoken to wife and I can barely look at the car let alone get in and drive it but wife say's we don't have any alternative at the moment. So probably just stuck with it and it'll make me angry every time I look at the thing. Not sure if I'll dare to carry the family in it as I'm still not convinced that it's structure will be strong enough anymore.

vince · 02-05-2013, 19:49

surely a letter detailing ALL conversations and photos sent to the insurance ombudsman is the next step. i would send a copy to your insurance company too just too see if they change their minds about sending it to a different repairer or to an independent assessor. this whole situation stinks. it seems to be all of them at it.

clivvy · 02-05-2013, 19:57

as vince says Jim, you need to take a deep breath and get some more of that fight back. As said, get that letter written, photos the lot, and send it off in a complaint both to the insurer, ombudsman and your solicitor when you see them.

its just not acceptable mate, really it isn't and if I can do anything to help just let me know. Heidi can write a truly well worded letter-plenty of big complex words for the insurer to shat their pants at.

That aside, I know you have had enough, and I dont blame you BUT it cant end here, like this. As I said to you earlier, my mate had a minor bump a month ago and his car came back like new-totally repaired bumper/dent and sprayed up nice. Compensation due and the worst he had to deal with was getting a decent hire car. POint is, somewhere along the line mate you have been dicked about by some careless twat. Not sure if its the insurer, or body shop but it isn't over yet.

Get pen to paper and get a short but to the point letter written, and posted.

Don't think about it, just do it and tell them how it is.

again, if you need help, or someone to talk to just give me a shout and ill pop over.

speak soon buddy.

jims-terrano · 02-05-2013, 20:59

Well guy's I've been out for a test drive around 5 or 6 miles and in fairness it drives as well as it did before the accident. However I've now got some more concerns that I am just investigating.

When I lower the drivers window down for some air I get exhaust fumes coming in.

I've noticed the trip counter and mpg are still as they were before the accident, these should of been lost when battery disconnected. Earleir in the week or last week they repairer told me what parts had been replaced including the inner and outer rear panel. Wouldn't these of been spot welded?

So I've opened the boot and had a look, I could just see down by the catch and the rear panel appears to be same colour as original. Not fully painted but a specled finish over a beige primer. I just cannot bend my neck to see underneath the car to see if the panel has been replaced or not.

Whilst in boot I lifted carpet and burnt my hand on the plastic boot floor

Anyone with a Scenic please feel free to check yours and let me know. It is so hot I could feel it through the carpet. I'm now concerned that either the exhaust has been damaged as the tailpipe runs behind rear panel and bumper and leaves car just under the centre of rear bumper. Is this also why I'm getting fumes into the car?

25-04-2013, 22:09	#31
briggie Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: peoples democratic republic of west yorkshire Vehicle: " alice " Posts: 10,473	you can always refuse to sign the delivery sheet when they bring it back .... don't feel pressured

25-04-2013, 22:12	#32
briggie Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: peoples democratic republic of west yorkshire Vehicle: " alice " Posts: 10,473	might be a good idea to have someone with you when they do bring it back too , the driver might not be a happy bunny when you refuse delivery , and may even say you have to sign ...... no you don't

26-04-2013, 15:13	#34
jims-terrano Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: UK Posts: 12,965	Well having locked horns with the insurance company, the repairers and an accident management company I've just about had enough of this crazy situation. Basically our Scenic will have 3 different colour mismatches on the rear and none of the above are going to do anything about it. The spare wheel is having a brand new tyre fitted just in case it's structure had been damaged by the crush. Doubt it'll be the same brand as all the other tyres either. The repairs have cost £1800 which does not excede the market value of the vehicle. It's value is just short of £3000, bet they wouldn't of given me so much if it had been a loss would they. I also know PArkers don't agree with that either. So this has been a very nasty experience, the car will have mismatch paintwork and so devalued. We are both still suffering physically. We don't honestly think we can trust the car any longer if it were to be involved in an accident. So at a time when we can least afford it we are going to be forced to replace the vehicle but god knows what with or how. We can't do a thing about it, it feels like legalised robbery or something. This has left a very bitter taste indeed.

26-04-2013, 16:43	#35
jims-terrano Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: UK Posts: 12,965	Am I missing something here. The insurance company is actually a solicitors, under writers are a seperate company again. The car hire, repairers and accident management company are one company. They have told me how much they value my car at, which is more than local car sales are selling comparable cars for. Parkers value it at around the repair cost from a franchiased dealer with the px being far lower. To repair the car has made the company more money than if they were to write it off. Are they repairing on inflated valuations? Am I being paranoid here?

26-04-2013, 17:27	#36
clivvy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Huddersfield Vehicle: Terrano 03 LWB Posts: 6,947	sounds like it Jim. As Peter has said, ring them back, write to them, informing them you are not happy, and will not accept the car unless it is repaired as SPAUTOPARTS has said, simple as that. I have NEVER known an insurance company do such shoddy work.... as for the paint mismatch, are you aware of previous accident on that car? What I think, is they have pressured you into accepting the bare minimum for the car, and it just so happens to be a profit for them. Personally, I would seek advice from Citzens Advice and Trading Standards. I know you have had enough, and I know you don't like this situation, but I really feel like this is a cowboy operation going on-very unprofessional too. You need to turn around and say "hold on, im not accepting this". Also, make sure you seek full compensation for you whiplash claim.

01-05-2013, 23:34	#37
jims-terrano Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: UK Posts: 12,965	Well the car is being delivered back tomorrow, the tailgate has been realigned and the number plate replaced. The colour match is hard lines, the two paint chips are being classed as existing damage making me out to be a liar. It's the end of the road with the repairer and accident management company. They've got away with riding rough shod over us. If we have any further complaints we must take them up with the insurance company as they are washing their hands of the job. So we are lumbard with a car I'll never trust again to transport my family and a constant reminder of how badly we've been treated. This will end up driving us both round the bend. The stress is terrible from this and will nag us until we can afford to dump this dam car.

02-05-2013, 00:34	#39
jims-terrano Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: UK Posts: 12,965	Pete, I've got a phone bill you wouldn't believe coming my way. These companies are just so big and powerfull you just cannot battle against them. I'd love to name and shame them publicly on here but there's slander and all that.

02-05-2013, 08:09	#40
briggie Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: peoples democratic republic of west yorkshire Vehicle: " alice " Posts: 10,473	copied from a yahoo forum jim ...... after a car is damaged or wrecked and a body shop or repair centre fixes it, you have to sign off on the paperwork that you are satisfied with the repairs. If you are not then point out to the repair shop and call you insurance provider and tell them what needs to be looked at and repaired again. You do not have to take the car if your not happy with repairs....you need to deal more with your insurance provider and not the shop...the shop doesnt care and will try to get you to accept as is...tell your insurance provider you want to take the car to another shop to have the repairs fixed correctly... stand your ground and they will do as you request...otherwise threaten to sue... Source(s): 25 years in auto industry and I work at a dealer

02-05-2013, 16:09	#41
briggie Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: peoples democratic republic of west yorkshire Vehicle: " alice " Posts: 10,473	any news / action yet jim ?

02-05-2013, 19:03	#42
jims-terrano Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: UK Posts: 12,965	It's back Pete. Colour Match is duff, Bumper, quarter panels and tailgate. The tailgate has a nice chunk og paint missing down to bare metal, I'm guessing it flaked off when the old moulding was removed. This area is a lot worse than when they tried to deliver it earlier in week. Don't know if I've got any more fight left in me for yet more costly phone calls. I've spoken to wife and I can barely look at the car let alone get in and drive it but wife say's we don't have any alternative at the moment. So probably just stuck with it and it'll make me angry every time I look at the thing. Not sure if I'll dare to carry the family in it as I'm still not convinced that it's structure will be strong enough anymore.

02-05-2013, 19:49	#43
vince Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: east yorkshire GB Vehicle: lwb nissan terrano '94 Posts: 162	surely a letter detailing ALL conversations and photos sent to the insurance ombudsman is the next step. i would send a copy to your insurance company too just too see if they change their minds about sending it to a different repairer or to an independent assessor. this whole situation stinks. it seems to be all of them at it.

02-05-2013, 19:57	#44
clivvy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Huddersfield Vehicle: Terrano 03 LWB Posts: 6,947	as vince says Jim, you need to take a deep breath and get some more of that fight back. As said, get that letter written, photos the lot, and send it off in a complaint both to the insurer, ombudsman and your solicitor when you see them. its just not acceptable mate, really it isn't and if I can do anything to help just let me know. Heidi can write a truly well worded letter-plenty of big complex words for the insurer to shat their pants at. That aside, I know you have had enough, and I dont blame you BUT it cant end here, like this. As I said to you earlier, my mate had a minor bump a month ago and his car came back like new-totally repaired bumper/dent and sprayed up nice. Compensation due and the worst he had to deal with was getting a decent hire car. POint is, somewhere along the line mate you have been dicked about by some careless twat. Not sure if its the insurer, or body shop but it isn't over yet. Get pen to paper and get a short but to the point letter written, and posted. Don't think about it, just do it and tell them how it is. again, if you need help, or someone to talk to just give me a shout and ill pop over. speak soon buddy.

02-05-2013, 20:59	#45
jims-terrano Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: UK Posts: 12,965	Well guy's I've been out for a test drive around 5 or 6 miles and in fairness it drives as well as it did before the accident. However I've now got some more concerns that I am just investigating. When I lower the drivers window down for some air I get exhaust fumes coming in. I've noticed the trip counter and mpg are still as they were before the accident, these should of been lost when battery disconnected. Earleir in the week or last week they repairer told me what parts had been replaced including the inner and outer rear panel. Wouldn't these of been spot welded? So I've opened the boot and had a look, I could just see down by the catch and the rear panel appears to be same colour as original. Not fully painted but a specled finish over a beige primer. I just cannot bend my neck to see underneath the car to see if the panel has been replaced or not. Whilst in boot I lifted carpet and burnt my hand on the plastic boot floor Anyone with a Scenic please feel free to check yours and let me know. It is so hot I could feel it through the carpet. I'm now concerned that either the exhaust has been damaged as the tailpipe runs behind rear panel and bumper and leaves car just under the centre of rear bumper. Is this also why I'm getting fumes into the car?