At fault accident - should I claim or go solo?

Scarum · 4 Oct 2015

While parking I knocked in to a concrete bollard. Independent body-shop quotes the repair costs to be £700 (replacement of one panel, removal of bumper and respray).

The car is worth (was / would be worth) £2500 max. I'm 43 and haven't had an at fault accident before.

My insurance excess is £450 and I wanted some opinions whether I should go alone on the repair as I feel insurers will up the premiums and over the next three years claw back perhaps £200 in premiums.

Burnerman · 4 Oct 2015

With insurance claims, body shops see an open cheque book......just see how much it would cost 'strictly cash and no hurry' before you decide!
The insurers will up your premiums, guarded no claims or not - its what they do.
John

r1flyguy · 4 Oct 2015

With that kind of excess and value of the car, I wouldn't even consider a claim!

Shop around for different quotes and get it repaired at your leisure.

Unless your selling the car in the near future don't want to dent its value to harshly then a 1st class expensive repair is not really an option.

Also if you go with a garage that takes the urine... It might end up that the insurance company write it off as beyond economic repair!!!!

Burnerman · 4 Oct 2015

Seriously - did the bollard get damaged and if it did, was anyone watching

r1 is talking great sense here, that's what I would do.....and if you have more than one vehicle, each insurer needs to be informed!
John

Mursal · 4 Oct 2015

A bolt on panel at that price I'm guessing?
Strictly cash, or bolt the stuff on yourself (maybe have a mate that's handy) and get shop to paint the panels. Breaker will have all the panels you need, might even have your colour, but that might be pushing it ...............

But the people on here, tend to be very practical so it mightn't suit everyone .............

gregers · 4 Oct 2015

look on ebay if breakers are no help.

Coaster · 23 Nov 2015

gregers said:
look on ebay if breakers are no help.

if yr car isnt dragging anything or anything hanging off then yes I reckon this is the best bet..

Screech20 · 29 Nov 2015

i wouldn't bother with a claim for that, it's more trouble than it's worth.

The quote sounds expensive for just one panel replacement.
What's the car and what panel?

Pics might help.

HERTS P&D · 29 Nov 2015

Tell us what car and panel/colour it is and we will find you one on the net.

Andy

Calmore · 4 Jan 2016

If it's a bolt on panel consider buying it from a breakers. That way, it will already be faded and will be a better match for your existing paintwork.

Calmore · 4 Jan 2016

r1flyguy said:
Also if you go with a garage that takes the urine... It might end up that the insurance company write it off as beyond economic repair!!!!

That happened with me. £1400 quoted for a slightly dented tailgate on a 15 year old Citroen!

Slogger · 10 Mar 2016

Any photos so we can point and laugh

Scarum · 11 Mar 2016

Last month I had the panel replaced and painted for £250. Body shop did an excellent job.

Burnerman · 11 Mar 2016

Sounds like a good outcome.....nice one!
John

At fault accident - should I claim or go solo?

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