Help! Storm damage to car - what to do?

Catseyez

Well, I just heard an almighty crash and the wheelie bin has only gone into the rear of my car and left a noticeable dent! :mad: :mad:

The dent is in between the petrol door (?) and the rear light. It's probably about 7-8 inches long and about 5" wide.

The car is just under three years old and I bought it new. It is my first car so I only have 2 full years of no-claims.

I really don't know what to do next as I was hoping to sell it shortly.

What has made it worse, is that the wheelie bin was placed next to the car today when my mum moved it back from the road. So really, I feel that if she hadn't have done that, this wouldn't have happened.

Any advice? Will I have to pay for the repair or is it something I could claim against? I doubt very much the warranty will cover it.

Catseyez

Quinny_2

Unless your insurance company is sympathetic,I think you'll find they'll class it as an act of God,so I don't think you'll be able to claim.

Give them a ring a find out.

Ken.

xzibit

And no way will warranty cover it lol!!!

Astaroth

Never seen a car policy where it wouldnt be covered by your own insurance - act of God relates to holding another party liable for the accident.

With 2yrs ncd it will take you back to 0 and increase premiums for 3-5 years as a fault claim so it may be cheaper to get it repaired privately. You still have to declare it but it isnt a claim.

Wig

Agree with above, you can claim for any damage on your own insurance.

With the loss of your 2 yrs NCD and possible increased premiums it would probably not be worth your while claiming for this.

1st get repair quotes - preferably from various places including a rear lane independent bodyshop - the sort of place the local taxis go to. I'd be surprised if it can't be repaired for £100 - £120

2nd do an online quote but this time say 0 NCD and one claim in the last 3 years.
see what premium you get given.

3rd do an online quote with 3yrs NCD and no claims

The difference between step 2 and step 3 will be what this will cost you roughly in the first year, Don't forget there will be an additional cost in year 2 aswell and possibly year 3....you can calculate these costs aswell using the same method.

But you don't have to tell the insurer you repaired your own vehicle at your own expense. There's no point in this example.

Hintza

And just to add if the paint is not damaged there are companies out there that might be able to pull the dent out for a fraction of the cost. Worth looking into.

WestonDave

One other option worth considering is to claim against your mum's house insurance but that might not make for too great an atmosphere in the house! Given that it was her bin and wasn't properly secured you might have an argument that she is liable but I'm not certain that it will work or be worth the aggro!

blue_haddock

Hintza wrote:

And just to add if the paint is not damaged there are companies out there that might be able to pull the dent out for a fraction of the cost. Worth looking into.

Yeah people like dent wizard may be able to sort the dent out pretty cheaply (£50 to £100 ish)

zappahey

Astaroth wrote:

You still have to declare it but it isnt a claim.

Assuming you mean declare to the insurers, why would you have to declare a private repair due to a wheelie bin hitting your car? It's hardly a traffic accident.

Astaroth

It depends on the wording of the question.... it is an accident and therefore if they ask about any accidents claimed for or not it has to be declared (unless you are saying it was will full damage by someone in which case they most likely would want to know the police crime reference number)

The question does vary significantly by insurers and so some you may need to declare it to and others you wont.... some would say it is better to be safe than sorry

Catseyez

Thanks for all your help.

I've decided to get it repaired privately and my Mum has very kindly offered to pay the cost! Claiming on my car insurance will add an extra £200+ in the first year and of course will still be higher the following year than if I don't claim. So in the long term, it will cost me more if I claim against insurance.

As it is a small dent, I might be able to get it sorted out at a smaller company but I am going to approach my dealership in the first instance. It is due a service anyway.

Catseyez