Advice needed. Car insurance claim. Nobody to claim against.

question1

Hello,

My car was hit while parked down my road, causing damage to the front bumper and wing. The damage is just cosmetic.
The car is a 2002 Ford Mondeo and although is immaculate condition, probably only worth £1,500.

I called me insurance (Hastings) and they told me to get a quote for the repairs through their preferred garage. I did this today, and they estimate a £1,000 to repair. My excess is £150.

I don't believe it's worth spending £1,000 to repair the damage as it's just cosmetic and I have seen bumbers for the same model on ebay for £50. The dent in the wing in minimal, so I could live with that.

I asked them if they are willing to pay out £1,000 to the garage for repairs, would I instead beable to have the money? No is the answer.

This has happened to me before a few years ago and I was allowed to have the cash instead. The difference though, was that I did have the details of the person who hit me.

Is it worth paying the £150 excess and getting it all repaired properly, but have that on my record which will no doubt push my renewal price up next time?

Or spend £150 to get just the bumper replaced and not go through insurance?

Or try and find a way for them to pay me the £1,000 which would be my ideal scenario? As this was I could pay for a full service and new tyres, bumper and keep the car for another. Anything between £500 & £800 I get for it after that when I come to sell it would be a bonus as the car originally cost me £2,000 nearly 3 years ago.
It has 120k miles on the clock. Before the dent though it looked like new and I've never had any problems with it. I am the 2nd owner and have looked after it.

What's my best option?

mcjordi

personally over the 5 year you have to declare the claim it will cost you a lot more than £150 in the long run.. i would just find a bumper from a scrappy and get it fitted.. and make sure the insurer marks the file as information only not a claim..

McKneff

It's still likely your premiums will rise though, most companies do this whether you claim or not. (some dont)

Its up to you now.

lisyloo

Are you going to keep the car or sell it on at a later date?

If you get it fixed you have to bear in mind you may lose NCD (if protected) and your premiums may rise for 3-5 years (in my experience most insurers ask about accidents for 3 and convictions for 5). You will also have to pay your excess.

Do some quotes (use false email and phone number) and see the extra cost with a "fault" claim that is not recovered.
Add up extra cost with claim and loss of NCD (times 3) plus excess.

On the other side of the coin you have costs of getting the car fixed yourself, plus do the same exercise with the quotes (you've had no claim but you might still need to declare it as an accident). Importantly it may be registered differently as you were not paid out for a claim (there are generally different options you can pick e.g. claim not recovered, claim recoverd, accident no claim).
This time add up extra premium (times 3) plus costs for fixing plus any loss in value.

My gut feeling is to fix it up yourself, but it depends whethere there is a big loss in re-sale value if you don't.
At 120K miles I doubt there will be a massive loss in re-sale vaue.

dogbot

£1000 sounds like a fair bit for your description of damage - it sounds like there is more there than just the bumper and a minor ding. Have you seen a breakdown of the quote? Purhaps the actual bumper bar behind the plastic is damaged, lights cracked etc.

If you don't get the wing done that is much more likley to develop rust and decay.

You choice either go with this repair and pay your excess or withdraw the claim and get it done yourself - if you are keeping the car forever and feel you can get it competently repaired with 2nd hand parts that is up to you, but check for other damage first - particulalry behind the bumper and to lights.

You can't just find some way to get your insurer to pay you some money - the insurance on your car is there to provide indemnity - i.e. up to the cost of repair in this case.

Try getting an independent quote from your own repairer using 2nd hand parts - they might go with this.

question1

dogbot wrote: »

£1000 sounds like a fair bit for your description of damage - it sounds like there is more there than just the bumper and a minor ding. Have you seen a breakdown of the quote? Purhaps the actual bumper bar behind the plastic is damaged, lights cracked etc.

I went to the garage the insurance company told me to and was with the assessor guy when he was saying what needs to be done.
Bumper, Fog light, the headlight casing is cracked, dented wing. Paint + labour = Approx £1,000.
Remember these are all brand new factory parts, which are a rip off to begin with.

I plan on keeping the car as long as possible because I wouldn't be able to replace it with a car in the same condition for the money I would get if I sold it. The car has already pretty much paid for itself in the time I've had it.

I will give my insurance a call and discuss the options with them.

Cheers

lisyloo

Bumper, Fog light, the headlight casing is cracked, dented wing. Paint + labour = Approx £1,000.

When a repairer does paintwork properly, they will have to match the paintwork exactly (which has probably faded), probably spray the wing and put it in the oven.
It's likely to be several hundred pounds to do it to that high standard.

It's very likely something much cheaper is acceptable for you, but it wouldn't be acceptable for your insurer to offer a sub-standard job so they have to offer to do it properly.

I will give my insurance a call and discuss the options with them.

I'm not sure they are best placed to give you advice.
They can advise on your future permium WITH THEM, but not with any other companies.
You'd be best off doing quotes for that yourself to see how badly you would be affected across the whole of the market.
It shouldn't take much more than 10 minutes as you edit the quotes each time rather than enter them from scratch.

question1

lisyloo wrote: »

You'd be best off doing quotes for that yourself to see how badly you would be affected across the whole of the market.
It shouldn't take much more than 10 minutes as you edit the quotes each time rather than enter them from scratch.

Does looking for lots of quotes online effect anything? I know it does with credit cards.

Quentin

Do your virtual quotes "anonymously"!

lisyloo

Does looking for lots of quotes online effect anything?

Some companies (RBS) might do an "identity" search.
This does not affect your ability to get credit, but if you're bothered do it under the name of Mr Mickey Mouse.
mickey.mouse@aol.com

I would personally use the correct address as a differrent one (however close) could give different prices and insurers don't bother with snail mail a great deal, but will definitely email or phone you.