Car Wash Damage - Advice please!

thescouselander

Yeah, I never use car washes - they really do ruin the paint work. My car gets treated to a wash using a sheepskin mitt and the two bucket method and then I pat it dry using a microfibre cloth.

Basically, when it comes to cleaning methods, if you wouldn't use it on a baby then dont use it on your car.

DJS1988

Yes luckily it's still driveable, and no other drivers would be able to see the damage as it's purely the roof.

I will be without my car for at least two weeks when it goes for repair, but they will have to pay out for this also.

A company called MV Claims that work for W J Kings are now handling the claim for me, which helps me alot as I was having to make a million phone calls to the garage and not getting messages returned. I've checked and they make their money from the hire car and get money from W J King for the repair, so as far as I can see this is helpful to me?

DJS1988

thescouselander wrote: »

Yeah, I never use car washes - they really do ruin the paint work. My car gets treated to a wash using a sheepskin mitt and the two bucket method and then I pat it dry using a microfibre cloth.

Basically, when it comes to cleaning methods, if you wouldn't use it on a baby then dont use it on your car.

I really do hate these carwashes and would never normally use them on my car as I really try and look after it, but after parking under trees Thurs and Friday it was covered, and there was no way I could have cleaned it myself on the Friday or Saturday as it was my best friends wedding. I was worried about leaving it until Sunday incase the paintwork got damaged!! Really wish I had just left it now!!

thescouselander

DJS1988 wrote: »

I really do hate these carwashes and would never normally use them on my car as I really try and look after it, but after parking under trees Thurs and Friday it was covered, and there was no way I could have cleaned it myself on the Friday or Saturday as it was my best friends wedding. I was worried about leaving it until Sunday incase the paintwork got damaged!! Really wish I had just left it now!!

For situations such as this I carry round a bottle of quick detailer and a microfibre cloth to wipe of the bird crap before it bakes on.

DJS1988

Update!

After having fun and games trying to get hold of someone, I have finally had a letter emailed to me (apparently they posted it last week but it did not turn up!).

Their letter reads;

We refer to the above dated incident and confirm our interest on
behalf of our insured.
We have investigated this claim with our Insured and confirm we
deny liability on their behalf.
Prior to your incident being reported the car wash completed 16
incident free washes, and immediately after your incident the car
wash completed a further 15 washes without any damage to
vehicles being reported. We also confirm the car wash was
inspected by an engineer after the incident was reported and no
faults were found.
In view of the above, unfortunately we deny liability on the Insureds

behalf and can be of no further assistance.

I really do not know what to do from now - there is £2500 worth of damage on my nearly new car?!

If anyone can help me with my next step it would be really appreciated.

Also - in terms of my insurance band, would this type of damage (purely bodywork damage, not affecting the running of the car) make my car Cat D, etc, therefore effecting my resale price? Not that I want to sell it for years but I don't want to lose money due to the car wash!!!

Thanks,

Kilty_2

DJS1988 wrote: »

Also - in terms of my insurance band, would this type of damage (purely bodywork damage, not affecting the running of the car) make my car Cat D, etc, therefore effecting my resale price? Not that I want to sell it for years but I don't want to lose money due to the car wash!!!

Thanks,

A car is only categorised if it is written off - ie it is deemed beyond economical repair.

They'll not write off a brand new car for £2500 worth of damage.

thescouselander

If I were you I'd get onto my insurance company and let them fight it out.

DJS1988

I'm on hold to them now - only issue is that I can't afford to pay £400 excess in the hope I can get this back.

worried_jim

Very interesting thread, I hope you get it sorted out. No surprise that they have declined liability they probably do this to all claims received to worm out the chavs. Good luck !

gaz_jones

I'd get your insurers to fight your corner for you. They'll have a good team that are used to dealing with other insurers.

Thanks for updating us OP.