Anybody there?

Is it me or is there no-one actually posting to this group? I have had
no new postings since June 29th. And I have checked on Google Groups
too and that is the same. Where is everybody???

 

I'm here.

 

I am still here Nigel, with my 1999 hybrid 406. It's sorry for itself at
the moment as a Czech lorry changed lanes on a roundabout on Thursday and
hooked onto my nearside wing dragging the car cross onto the central island.
I am now worried in case repairs exceed value and the car gets written off.
I don't think there is any structural damage, it appears to be straight
replacement of the entire front valance (the plastic section that wraps
right around the front and includes the grill), the nearside wing and the
nearside headlight although it is only the glass that is damaged but I don't
suppose it is available separately. There are no fog lights or anything to
complicate it and the car still drives fine after the lorry driver and a
policeman scrabbled around on their hands and knees strapping it all back
together with cable ties.

Any rough ideas on cost?

Cheers,

 

Hi Keith.

Knowing insurance company's they will more than likely want to write it off
and offer you £2.50. I wrote off a Toyota a couple of years back, I spent
months arguing with them. In the end I told them that I didn't want any
money, I wanted another Toyota to replace what I had lost, as I understood
that insurance was there to replace what you had lost, you can imagine their
reply, however we did agree on a value in the end, mainly because they
realised I was prepared to fight till the end only because I had bought my
present Pug, but I did get a reasonable price in the end. If as you say your
car is not too badly damaged, they normally let you buy it off them, that
being the case, it could well pay you to buy it and trundle round the scrap
yards and put the bits on yourself. I think the reason they let you buy it
back is because they have to pay a disposal firm to remove it, and that is
not cheap now a days. My Toyota was left on my drive for 3 weeks, so I sent
them a storage bill, it was removed the following day.
Hope you have some luck.

Bryan ( Winchester )

 

I'm not here. If you read this then you should consider psychotherapy.

--
Malc

If you're swimming in a creek
And an eel bites your cheek
That's a moray

 

I already considered that and lost my marbles!

 

I agree. The headlight alone from Pug is over £100. I don't know about
the panels but they are all bolt on so if you can find a similar
colour scrap vehicle that would be the cheapest option.
That is of course if you can get it back from the insurance company.

 

I'm still here.
Sorry to hear about your wheels Keith.
Dan.

 

Bryan is right about being returned to the position you were in prior to
the accident. You can use parts from a scap dealer to reduce the cost
if it helps, but if they place an unrealistic value on your car then
threaten (and use, if required) the insurance ombudsman. A former
neighbour had his car written off when it had a broken sidelight and a
dented wing. It may have been 20 years old but it had 10 months MoT and
it started first time, so it was worth much more than the £50 they
offered. The ombudsman took the insurers to taks and he ended up with a
repaired car, the £50 cheque they'd sent and a written apology...

HTH

Alan

 

Sounds interesting. The car is currently at the body shop and I am waiting
for a verdict. I have found that I could source the three main components
needed for the repair (bumper, wing and headlight) new from Euro Car Parts
for just over £200 and the Parker's price guide values the car at £1700 so,
depending on their labour and spraying costs, I could be OK. Watch this
space.

 

what

 

What what? Or should that be "Which what?". ;o)

 

The Hybrid rides again. Came back today from the body shop and has risen
phoenix like from the ashes. I'm a happy bunny again.