44 replies to this topic

[taffy1967]

Hi,

I thought that things had changed and you did not have to use a specific garage as long as the insurance agrees to a specific place doing the work. Google it and see what you can find out.

Good luck

Martin.

Yes or take a look at your insurance documents, especially the small print in the terms & conditions book (or whatever it's called).

[nicksuth]

Oh and I'm sure the other members of the 'Rugby Classic Mini Owners Club' will be able to recommend a good body repair specialist to trust in your area.

Yeh, Tim King at John King & Son over at Napton has done real good work for me before so that will be my preference once I've gone through the assessment at Solus (Coventry).

Edited by nicksuth, 21 April 2010 - 07:19 PM.

[myredmini]

any pictures of the horrid damage ?

[taffy1967]

The body shop who repaired mine a few years back had a kind of understanding with other local body shops and so when I needed 2 or 2 quotes I got them without the need to drive around other repairers, because the one I always used sorted it all out.

So the quote from my preferred body shop that I wanted to use was cheaper than the others and so that was the one that the insurers agreed to use.

A jumped up insurance assessor still called around prior to them beginning work and instructed them on what needed replacing and what could be repaired/or whatever to cut the bill a bit. But having agreed value meant they couldn't write it off.

[nicksuth]

I've got a MK5 bootlid you could have for £20 perfectly good condition, all the locks as well!

& I'm in the east midlands too

Cheers AR, I'll come back to you on that (keep it warm and dry )

[nicksuth]

any pictures of the horrid damage ?

It looked okay until I opened the boot and released all the remaining kinetic energy (BOING), now the boot won't shut

Edited by nicksuth, 20 April 2010 - 07:02 PM.

[slyoldfox2001]

oh mate thats bad news

i would recommend king & son

[stevede]

It's your car so you can have it repaired where you like, providing your prefered body shop is reputable and not charging double etc.

Remember it will ultimately be the other parties insurance who will be paying the bill not yours.

Might mean a bit more legwork for you, & an inspection by an assessor but stand your ground.

Good luck

Steve

[Scallywag630]

My advice would be to take as many pictures as possible and whatever else you do, DO NOT tell anyone he admitted liability. There are insurance companies that will not pay out if their hands are tied in that way.

[nicksuth]

any pictures of the horrid damage ?

Doesn't look too bad unless you're up close, pictures don't really tell the story

[nicksuth]

My advice would be to take as many pictures as possible and whatever else you do, DO NOT tell anyone he admitted liability. There are insurance companies that will not pay out if their hands are tied in that way.

He's already admitted liability and this is what I told my insurance company, remember, he ran up the back of me while stationary at a pedestrian crossing !!! Don't think he has a leg to stand on (or he wouldn't if I had been driving the mini !!!)

[samsfern]

do the rear quarters look straight? just near where the arch trim goes, youll notice if they were bent when its light.

[nicksuth]

do the rear quarters look straight? just near where the arch trim goes, youll notice if they were bent when its light.

I'll bash a couple of shots out when it's light tomorrow.

[imvarma]

As said you can have it repaired where you like, whatever the person on the other end of the phone says. you just need to arrange the quote yourself. and you may not be able to get a courtesy car through your insurer, but there are other companies that can help you with that if you need one...

[rachel]

Ohhhhhhhh nooooooo, I'm gutted for you Nick and I only saw your beautiful Mini on Sunday

The exact same thing happened to me when I was waiting at a pedestrian crossing a couple of years back I was very brave though, and didn't swear or cry - wanted to punch him where it hurts, but resisted the temptation.

If it hadn't been for my towbar - which became embedded in the grill of the car which hit me I dread to think what would've happened to my poor Ellie - luckily she only needed a new boot and stainless bumper but the whole back end up to the seams had to be re-sprayed.

Took ages to sort out as the guy wasn't insured etc etc but we got there in the end

Hope you get sorted and we see you in June

Rach