Any inside advice on my car insurance claim conundrum?

Ninkompupe

I had an at fault accident three months ago. My car went straight to the insurers (Direct Line) preferred bodyshop. Work didn't start for some weeks, apparently because they were snowed under. I had paid for two weeks car hire, which Direct Line agreed to extend because the delay was with their repairer. However, some weeks later, the repair was partially completed, apart from a new bumper - a non-original item was tried, but was such a poor fit they had to order one from the manufacturer. Because the delay was now parts supply, Direct Line would no longer provide a hire car. Fortunately, the bodyshop had a courtesy car becoming available, and Direct Line were good enough to let me keep the hire car for another couple of days. Pretty happy all round, with the notable exception of the initial delay. I am lucky enough to have the courtesy car still, but would really like my own car back!
Now 3 months on, there is no clue as to how long the new bumper might be - apparantly the manufacturers supplier has now gone out of business. I don't particularly want to ruffle feathers as apart from the delay I have been pretty fairly treated. I also have concerns that if I chase them, the bodyshop might ask for their car back ... and my car might end up with a rushed, sub-standard repair. On the other hand, my car is sitting seizing up in the yard of the bodyshop, dropping value monthly, and I had been considering part exchanging the car once returned. A point of note here is that it was, in fact, touch and go whether the car would be a write off from the outset. I appreciate that the insurance company cannot be blamed for the delay, but I would be interested in hearing if anyone has any experience of this type of situation themselves or works for an insurance company and can advise best route to approach to take with the insurance company about settling or otherwise getting this resolved. FYI ... I am a long standing customer (I know, an MSE 'no no' !!), if that makes any difference.

withabix

Ninkompupe wrote: »

there is no clue as to how long the new bumper might be.

The same length as the original one hopefully

What car is it (make/model/year)?

Surely a scrappy will have a bumper?

raskazz

If the parts aren't available then the parts aren't available! Nothing you can do except be patient and request periodic progress updates.

You could try to source the parts yourself, however that might be a waste of time and effort if alternatively sourced parts were already tried.

V_tricky

The repairer will be well aware that you're still in their courtesy car, and will want you out of it ASAP I'm sure!

Hintza

Salavage yard will probably be your best bet, surprised the repairer hasn't at least tried to source one .

Conor_3

Hintza wrote: »

Salavage yard will probably be your best bet, surprised the repairer hasn't at least tried to source one .

They're not allowed to with insurance stuff..

Ninkompupe

....the day after I post, I get a call form the bodyshop saying the car should be ready tomorrow!!!

Thanks for your thoughts.