Rear ended collision

kp039

Hi All,

I was in an accident and someone drove back into me at the roundabout in a brand new car(registered car on 04/12/2021 and accident occurred on 29/12/2021). Being Tesla, dashcam recorded accident from all cameras and third party's insurance accepted liability.

It smashed the back bumper and boot lid and parking camera and sensors. Damage is around £4100 and it is being agreed to repair at Tesla Dartford.

Now as I am in an accident I am facing anxiety attacks every time I am trying to drive a car and it feels someone will hit me from somewhere.

I requested Tesla to take the car back as I am not using it any longer due to my anxiety with driving after the accident, Tesla has quoted me £4000 less compared to similar age of car and milage due to car in an accident even after fully repaired by them.

I am with Direct line and other person's insurance with hasting direct, I am not sure what can I do help me in this situation as I am losing monies as well not at all confident to drive after accident.

I have fully comprehensive insurance but not legal cover and need guidance so I can make some decision to sell car to tesla back at fewer monies or something else.

Chris_English

You can’t force Tesla to pay ore than they want to, but if it’s worth £4,000 more as a private sale then you could just sell it privately?

How do you know, though, how much they are selling for? Asking prices aren’t sale prices, so it can be hard to know what cars are actually selling for.

Sandtree

You are talking about uninsured losses and so without legal expenses on your own policy there will be no interest for them.

Have you been to your GP about your anxiety? 

comeandgo

Go to a doctor for help, do not give up driving.  After a bump I had I was so scared of loud noises, still am really but think about why you drive, why you bought a lovely new Tesla and ride this reluctance through.
You could get some driving lessons to see if they give you confidence.  

orchid2010

I was rear ended and had driver anxiety, as part of my claim the third party insurers paid for CBT counselling which really helped.

kp039

Chris_English said:

You can’t force Tesla to pay ore than they want to, but if it’s worth £4,000 more as a private sale then you could just sell it privately?

How do you know, though, how much they are selling for? Asking prices aren’t sale prices, so it can be hard to know what cars are actually selling for.

My neighbor has the same car and he got delivery one week before me, when he talked to tesla about selling a car(just to know the price to help me) he was offered £4000 more and when I talked to tesla about price difference they suggested as the car in an accident that is the reason I have been offered £4000 less as diminution cost 

kp039

Sandtree said:

You are talking about uninsured losses and so without legal expenses on your own policy there will be no interest for them.

Have you been to your GP about your anxiety? 

No, I have not been, sadly after the accident tested positive in the first week ok Jan, and now not able to get an appointment until February. 

kp039

orchid2010 said:

I was rear ended and had driver anxiety, as part of my claim the third party insurers paid for CBT counselling which really helped.

will try to contact my insurance provider and see if they can help

Chris_English

kp039 said:

Chris_English said:

You can’t force Tesla to pay ore than they want to, but if it’s worth £4,000 more as a private sale then you could just sell it privately?

How do you know, though, how much they are selling for? Asking prices aren’t sale prices, so it can be hard to know what cars are actually selling for.

My neighbor has the same car and he got delivery one week before me, when he talked to tesla about selling a car(just to know the price to help me) he was offered £4000 more and when I talked to tesla about price difference they suggested as the car in an accident that is the reason I have been offered £4000 less as diminution cost 

That makes sense. I think that selling it privately may be your best option. Tesla are under no obligation to buy it back, and any price they give you will have (another) chunk of profit built in for them.

Another option that’s often good for new-ish “premium” cars is to find a dealer who’d be happy to sell it for you, and charge you a commission. I’ve sold a couple of nice cars like this recently, and the slightly reduced price was worth it to reduce the hassle.

Sandtree

kp039 said:

Chris_English said:

You can’t force Tesla to pay ore than they want to, but if it’s worth £4,000 more as a private sale then you could just sell it privately?

How do you know, though, how much they are selling for? Asking prices aren’t sale prices, so it can be hard to know what cars are actually selling for.

My neighbor has the same car and he got delivery one week before me, when he talked to tesla about selling a car(just to know the price to help me) he was offered £4000 more and when I talked to tesla about price difference they suggested as the car in an accident that is the reason I have been offered £4000 less as diminution cost 

Diminution of value is a head of claim moderately often attempted and not that often paid out on.

If the vehicle wasnt a write off then there is basically no official record of the accident or damage repair against the vehicle and most would "forget" to mention such things when they come to sell it (if they are even asked). Obviously if the repairs have been done poorly then its a different matter but given you've chosen your own repairers then thats really between you and them and not to do with the insurer.

The second issue is that diminution only occurs at point of sale and given most vehicles depreciate in value the £4k today could easily be £2 in 3 years time when the vehicle will have halved in value anyway.

In your case it seems Tesla are just trying to pull a fast one and really I'd be turning the tables on them about what they must think of the quality of their own repairs.

[Deleted User]

Definitely get your MH problem addressed. You shouldn't lose the ability to drive because of this, and the TP will have to pay to address that now.