Car insurance repairs not to my standard.

Fruity1

I am still waiting for a further reply from Sheilas Wheels but Drivers Assist have arranged for the original garage to redo the work. Unfortunately I cant get it all done till 5th Nov due to half term and the fact I'm away at the min. Also my mechanic has offered to write an independant report and will also hopefully be with me when the vehicle is returned to me again. I don't know whether I am allowed to post the name of the garage on here but if I am would be more than happy to do so. Obviously if its not right next time I wont accept it back.

merlinormartin

Hi fruity
A similar thing happened to us last year, we had a rear end smash on the motorway(not our fault) and needed the back end replacing.. when we recieved the car back we wasnt happy with the work, returned the car to the garage they made further alterations, recieved the car back again, we still wasnt happy with the work but the insurer said "its fine" .. we took photographs of the shoddy work and demanded an independant mechanic look at the vechicle.. after a few harsh phonecalls and threats to notify the onbudsmen they took it back for the third time! .. in total they had the car for 6 months! but we did have a nice new astra courtesy of elephant insurance .. moral of the story? .. stick to your guns and dont except the car unless it looks pre accident condition.

Fruity1

My car was returned yesterday having been 'repaired' for a 2nd time by the same garage. My mechanic checked it -this time the colour is ok, the wing better fitted so its just a shame they have chipped and dented my bonnet and not fitted the wheel arch trim properly!!

Needless to say I have contacted Sheilas Wheels and Drivers Assist to complain yet again. I won't let this be brushed aside and will carry on until my car is exactly like it was pre being hit. If anyone has any more advice I would appreciate it. Many thanks.

Wig

Nice one Fruity, keep at them.

Fruity1

Just to keep you updated my car is about to be repaired for the third time by the same garage, at no cost to me. I've told them THEY WILL provide a courtesey car and collect my car at MY CONVENIENCE. It will be interesting to see what happens next.

Wig

Make sure before you go to your appointment that they do not expect you to sign any courtesy car agreement with a monetary excess in the event of a claim. If they say there will be such a form ask them how much the excess will be and phone your insurer to ask for confirmation (in writing) that in the event of a claim on the courtesy car you will not be liable for the excess.

A few years ago nationwide crash repairs gave me a courttesy car and I balked at the £10,000 excess, but I signed it and took the cc away, did not have an accident and all was well. I wasn't so aware back then of the possible pitfalls of such stupidity of not double checking.

There was another poster on here who said he had a CC and I can't remember if he had an accident and his insurer would not cover the excess saying it was not part of any policy he had with them- so the excess was down to him.
OR he had the foresight to double check with his insurer before taking the C and they said the excess was not covered by them. I can't remember which it was, but I do remember he said his insurer was not willing to cover the excess on the CC.

Cover your back, it's a dog eat dog world out there.

Fruity1

Cheers Wig, I had a courtesey car last time & they didn't give me anything to sign. I rang and made sure it was covered by my insurer, but I will double check about the excess. They actually have to bring the CC to me and collect my car as that was the original deal and I'm blowed if I'm driving into the edge of B'ham for them. Thanks