Thursday, September 21, 2006 - 12:34 pm, by: Damian Ware(Frozenpod)
Hi guys,
last night my soarer was cleaned up. Luckily I was not in the car at the time as it was parked.
The car is a mess I have seen a fair few smashed cars in my time being a country boy and this looks bad.
I have been recommended by a smash repaired which lives in my street that the car should not be repaired. But he said from his experience my insurance company which will remain nameless will do almost anything to repair it rather than pay out for the agreed value of the car.
I'm not a body expert but after starting the car up the lights where flickering and alarms where going off.
It looks bad, the rear window is smashed and the entire rear end is squashed. Given the damage I'm not sure if I will ever feel safe driving it again if it is repaired.
If the insurance company decides that the car is repairable ie they find a quote they like is there anything I can do to have the car written off and not repaired.
The impact speed was approximately 50km/hr by a witness.
This could be an over reaction and the car might be 100% like new once repaired, I cant begin to explain the felling I have in my guts right now but I'm sure you can imagine.
Ohh damn, sorry to hear that mate, I'd be heart broken myself if it happened to my car.
Generally the insurer will go for the cheapest option. So if say your car is insured for say $14K agreed value, and they find that the cost of repairing the car will be 16K, then they will just pay you out the 14K and take the car off you. But if they find the repair will only cost say 8K, they will then prefer to get it repaired instead, as it is better for their bottom line. How much do you think it will cost to fix it?
Thursday, September 21, 2006 - 01:04 pm, by: Damian Ware(Frozenpod)
I'm not sure how much it will cost to fix, the tow truck driver and panel beater from across the road both said to do it properly it will cost about 10 to 12k.
But the panel beater said you could do a dodgy job for about 3k which is what they will push for when looking for quotes.
I guess it depends if there is any structural damage, I would think there is as the back end is all not sitting right, doors still open correctly and the front looks find. It was hit on an angle as well which the panel beater recons the chassis is probably going to be bent.
When the car was hit it was push forwards and across, the left mid side has hit into a pole as well, this is only minor but it gives you an idea as to the existent of the impact.
Thursday, September 21, 2006 - 04:12 pm, by: Peter Nitschke(Pen)
It all comes down to the repairer and insurance company. Does your insurance company allow you choice of repairer?
If so, start getting recommendations, possibly contact your local Lexus dealer, or as I did, the local Porsche club. Anything that involves high end cars.
Then talk to the repairer, some won't work for specific insurance companies as they know the insurance company will screw them too hard and they can't do a proper job.
Mr car was smacked hard up the back (while I was in it) and pushed into another car - similar to yours perhaps, the rear is designed to crumple to protect the cabin, so it's unlikely there is any damage between the front and rear wheels.
I was also nervous about having it repaired, but after getting a couple of small niggles fixed (boot alignment, rear heater wires etc) the result is excellent.
Thursday, September 21, 2006 - 05:23 pm, by: Damian Ware(Frozenpod)
Given I am under 25 I was unable to get a policy with an insurance company that had those options.
I don't have a choice of repairer if I did I guess it wouldn't be an issue. I also have no contact with the assessor I am told I will be given a call on monday or tuesday next week to know wether it is repairable or a write off.
Sounds like mine is similar to your peter as the panel beater did say to fix it properly it would cost about 10 to 12k.
The worst part is if it is written off my policy will end. So I will have to purchase another car and try to get a new policy. With a recent claim to my name that will be very difficult with a soarer.
I had enough trouble the first time even though I have a perfect driving record zero accidents and no speeding fines in the last 3 years.
Thursday, September 21, 2006 - 05:58 pm, by: Graham Dollisson(Alloyvee)
Damian Ware wrote on Thursday, September 21, 2006 - 05:23 pm:
The worst part is if it is written off my policy will end. So I will have to purchase another car and try to get a new policy. With a recent claim to my name that will be very difficult with a soarer.
As your car was parked at the time it was hit, this shouldn't affect your next policy. It's not like you could be blamed for it!!
Thursday, September 21, 2006 - 05:59 pm, by: David Vaughan(Davidv)
The questions the company asks about accidents are whether you were at fault and whether the other driver could be identified. If you can satisfy the company on those two conditions then reinsuring should be possible with no loss of NCB.
Thursday, September 21, 2006 - 10:29 pm, by: Daniel Clarke(Dieseltrain)
Did you get the persons details who totalled your car? Also, MOst insurance companies work on a 70% Basis. IF the car is going to cost more than 70% of the market value to fix, It will be written off and the amount payed out.
My brother had an S13 Sr20 Sylvia Sidewiped. UNfortunately for him at the time he only had 3rd party. The accident was deemed Both parties fault. He was left with a $13,000 quote and no money available to fix it. Lucky our dad was a panel beater in his younger days. He bought a rolling wreck with all IRS for $1200. Compressor and spray gear for $1000. About 3 months part time work(as he did 6 days full time) And the car was finished. LIKE NEW. INfact, even to this day. Dad reckons that side of the car he fixed, was stronger than the factory side. ANd knowing my old man, it probably was.
ANyways, I guess im trying to say. There is light at the end of the tunnell. AND cars can still be good when repaired.( this thing ran 13's for the 1/4 mile and was faultless with any inspection afterwards(even NRMA). Best of luck and head UP
Friday, September 22, 2006 - 08:37 am, by: Damian Ware(Frozenpod)
As the other driver has yet to be identified, I hope the police are still looking, I have pay excess which I consider reasonable but I also loose my rating 1.
This is something that I don't think is right, as the accident wasn't my fault and I have two witnesses which saw the incident but where unable to get a rego number.
Even if the car isn't a write off next year my policy is going to be about another $1000.
So no matter what happens in these situations you loose, so far if it is repaired I will loose about 3k and if it is a write off about 5k.
This doesn't include transport in the mean time while this gets sorted.
Almost make you think why have insurance in the first place.
Yeah Just Cars are dodgy with their requirements... They still shouldn't take your rating 1 off you, it's not your fault. Though it pays to have no claim bonus protection, they charge like extra 30 bux a year, and just in case something happens it's well worth it. I used to be with them last year, but when it came to renewing the policy I actually read the fine print and I didn't like it, so I gave HBF a go.
Friday, September 22, 2006 - 02:20 pm, by: Michael Machin(Minz)
A lot of insurance companies will pay out the agreed value if the cost of repairs are over 50% of the value. No?
Taking your rating off you when it was not your fault is like losing your no-claims bonus because it got stolen. It sucks big time. All the best with the payout/repairs.
Don Bagnall Moderator New Zealand I have WAY less Soarers than Hayden :-(
Friday, September 22, 2006 - 03:22 pm, by: Charlie Hooper(Charlie)
Maybe you should post a description of the persons car who smashed into it here and people can keep an eye out and alert the police if they see a car/truck fitting it with a smash on the front end..
Friday, September 22, 2006 - 03:58 pm, by: Damian Ware(Frozenpod)
Toyota Hilux.
Likely to be a dark colour probably green it was night so it was hard to tell.
It has a white roof.
Bull bar, resonably wide tyres but not huge.
I am pritty sure it was a late 70's early 80's model but I'm not right up with hilux's body shapes and it was hard to tell at a distance where we couldn't make out his rego.
He has headlight covers and the front left headlight cover is broken. The front left parker is also missing its cover.
The accident occurred in the western suburbs seabrook/point cook area and was in a quite back street which doens't go anywhere. It is likely that he either lives very close near by or the person was visiting someone in my street.
The police have recommended to keep an eye out as the person will probably drive by again sometime soon if he lives near by.
Braden I agree and trust me if I could have been insured with Shannons I would have been, I actually have an agreement with Shannons that after 12months with the soarer with zero claims I can take up a policy with them.
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