GDV savaged!

[triumphtoledo]

Oh dear!! While sitting at a roundabout, my innocent Dolomite was taken up the rear by a Ford Transit, jolting us down the road. The impact felt quite significant, when it happened as it really gave us one heck of a jolt! Naturally the driver was Lithuanian and couldn’t speak any English so the Police were called. Details now swapped, I am left with details of insurance companies that have all gone home for the weekend!<br>
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So the damage! Thankfully the good news is that is doesn’t *look* too bad none of the rear door gaps have closed up, nor is the boot floor bent. The rear lamp took most of the brunt, with the Transit’s tow-hitch hitting the underside of the bumper.<br>
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The bootlid, lamp panel, bumper, lamp and bumper lights are all damaged. The bumper *may* be salvageable but the parts bill from Rimmers will be around £300 I would have imagined.<br>
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Anyone have any experience of being a third party in such as case? Naturally as the car was in excellent condition prior to the bump, I would like it taken back to pre-accident condition.<br>
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Any advice gratefully received!<br>
<br>
Rob<br>
<br>
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(pics below: boot, light & panel, view from underneath)<br>
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[dollyboy]

awwwwww, thats a shame m8. I have a light cluster you can have for postage, or collect from derby. also any trim. back panel more tricky but you may be able to push it out. <br>
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where theres blame theres a claim... hope your whip-lash injuries etc arent too bad or you may be in for a few k compensation which would be a real shame for the insured's insurance company.<br>
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an even bigger shame if its allianz cornhill... <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :lol --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/laugh.gif ALT=":lol"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
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you'll get forms, fill them in as best u can, report the acciddent to the police, go to hospital and get 'checked out' for your whiplash. if you have legal cover they will pursue the transit drivers insurance for repair costs and any personal damages. get 2-3 quotes for repairs - panel work, repaint etc. make sure the quotes are from 'specialists' because mainstream bodyshops etc wont be bothered about tryng to track down the parts, and remain adamant that your car is not a write off and you want it fixed. <br>
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<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START ;) --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/wink.gif ALT=";)"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END-->

<p>project orange - gradual progress<br>
project STEALTH - PASS!!! <br>
project white - AAARGGGHHH!!! too many cars!!!</p><i></i>

[triumphtoledo]

will price up the bits from Rimmers, including a new lamp. However I think labour is the killer here and may result in the old girl being written off.<br>
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However, apart from the number plate lights being replaced (they were smashed to bits in the impact) the car is 100% usable. Nonetheless, if the car is written off, I wish to keep it as the resulting monies will be put in to repair it later on.<br>
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Does that sound a good idea?

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[triumphtoledo]

Here she was pre-accident so wold be a shame not to repair her...<br>
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[djw113uk]

When the toledo was hit a few years ago we had a bit of a fight with Direct line - they were hopeless but never responded to my rewording of their advert... so much for being "hit by a direct line driver it will all be sorted".. ONLY IF YOU DO EVERYTHING YOURSELF!<br>
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The assessor came and had a look and said it was my choice - they would write it off or give me a cheque in lieu of repair. As he seemed to want a decision there and then I said I would take a cheque in lieu. Straight back home and on to the legal people. Yes, fine a cheque in lieu, but what about a courtesy car while mine was being fixed?.. Suddenly they were now fixing my car!<br>
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Using assurance approved repairers was better from my experiance. My "so called" classic restorer near bath was hopeless. they got the stag metalwork right, but skimped on the paint and the new bootlid was rusting after 6 months. As it wasnt an insurance approved repairer the insurance company "couldnt help"<br>
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The toledo at the approved repairers had the nose panel done, but they said they couldnt get a bumper...... I let them go ahead with the body repair, then sent them the £200 pound estimate for a new front bumper from rimmers, saying i didnt want a coutesy car again, and if they sent me a cheque I'd buy and fit it.<br>
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That'll teach them to try and write off my car!<br>
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Was a fight all the way, (same with the stag) but the insurance approved place gives you more clout if something goes wrong. Only "new" metal is guaranteed for 3 years though <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :( --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/frown.gif ALT=":("><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
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Good luck<br>
<br>


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[triumphtoledo]

Thanks for the advice Dave. Were you the third party? How much were they offering for a Toledo as a write off?<br>
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I intend to use people in the motor trade who know for estimates. However, to be honest factoring in a new rear light panel and bootlid plus fitting and painting, it wouldn’t surprise me if the insurance company wrote the car off.<br>
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The question is, how much is a 1500HL with overdrive and a rebuilt unleaded engine (11,000 miles) worth? GDV has no rot, only a bonnet currently in a slightly different shade and the front wing alignment is not great. Surely it must be £850?? Have found 1500HLs advertised for between £700 and £1500 so far.<br>
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What do you think?<br>


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[davepoth]

have you got an agreed value with the insurance co.? <br>
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It's worth that much. Otherwise, start at £1500 and haggle with the insurance company, fighting for every pound.<br>


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[johnorr]

Repair it!<br>
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I had a rear end shunt 18 months ago and the hassle was a hassle. The car was written off by indureres and I took the £2k and kept the car. Repairs cost less than £2k. Lots of fun with the DVLA to get it retaxed.<br>
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(There are some posts about this back in Summer 05.)<br>
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The fact that the write off value was given to me and then I had a car with parts worth a lot meant it was tempting to break it. Then the insurance + ebay sales would have left me more than enough money to replace with something more than half decent. I didn't do this and embarked on the long road to repairs! Such is life!<br>
<br>
John <br>
<br>
YDT300T (still waiting me refitting rear OS door after repainting!)

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[1300dolly]

sorry to hear that. if it comes to being a write off DO NOT except the first offer they send, or the 2nd , hold out for more , send the cheque back with a letter (and good pics ) stating why the car is worth more. it may take months but you can end up with a good price .<br>
if the car is repaired it is up to you who repairs it but go for an insurance approved company with their own assesor that way you can speak to the person deciding how much your pride and joy is worth.<br>
use adverts as aguide to show the insurance co its worth.<br>
good luck.<br>
J.

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[djw113uk]

Was about 4-5 years ago but, I think they were talking about £450 write off, and £350 for cheque in lieu. Toledo had overdrive, and was 3rd party with Liverpool Victoria. The car was actually hit in a pub carpark while we were sat in it. Car was smart, but bottom of doors were rusting. The fact it was solid underneath made no difference, he only cared what the top looked like, he didnt even look underneath!<br>
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Had real problems tracking down the guys insurance as he wanted to pay dodgy bloke he knew £150 to "fill" it.<br>
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Liv Vic Legal people wouldnt touch it without more details on the driver, but we got there eventually. Lots of calls and pestering. I am sure buying bits to keep it mobile always helps, as in my mind they have to pay you back for them aswell if they write off the car. Or they have to give you a coutesy car from NOW... but bits are cheaper!<br>
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I would say £850 wasnt unreasonable. Best to get a payout without writing off the car if it comes to that though.. else if it gets knocked again later you will never get a decent payout a 2nd time!<br>
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Collect as many example prices, plus all your receipts so you have some backups for your claim. Pays not to answer the " so how much did you pay for it then sir" question too. "it was a gift", or £1650, plus I have done lots to it. Its none of their business really is it... what matters is what it is worth!<br>
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Worth thinking about the salvage value to you too. If they write it off, take the car and pay you £850 or just £500 and let you keep salvage is it worth it? Depending on category you will have to get it DVLA inspected - £25 i think so you can re-tax it next time if they write it off.<br>
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Depends what the inspecting engineer is like. Get some quotes. Make sure they are from people you are happy to do the work too. I'd avoid giving the insurance any silly cheap quotes you get for a dodgy cheap repair, as you will never get them to pay out anymore then the lowest price they see! (my classic restorer was £300 dearer to fix the stag than the approved agent. It was only because they could do it two weeks sooner and I said I wanted a coutesy car for those two weeks, that they realised it was cheaper to do what I asked for)<br>
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I have about 7 rear bumpers, including no.plate lights, a previous insurance replaced rear panel and a couple of boots if you need them. rear panel is bright red, boots are all different colours, not sure I have a good one in your shade though!<br>
I'm impressed you managed to break a rear lamp unit. they are almost industructable!<br>
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Oh.. you could always let them write it off, then buy back at universal salvage auctions in 6 months time for £150 or so! I never understaood why they should get your car if 3rd party's insurance pay out either!

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[triumphtoledo]

Thanks Guys. Rest assured any money received will be put back into the car. It had been off the road for four years and as I missed it, I wanted to use it for the next two years before stripping the body down again, even though it is quite good at the mo.<br>
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The rear light cluster took the brunt of the impact because, as a Transit van hit the car, all the damage is quite far up. Sadly it took the boot lid out with it.<br>
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I would never allow any insurance company to take the car away. I then have the trouble of getting it back and that is if they don’t “lose” (or crush) it first. <br>
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I am expecting a long and windy road with them! The question is, the van was hired and driven by the Lithuanian on behalf of his employer. The question is, do I go through the hire company’s insurance or his employer??<br>


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[johnorr]

I got £2k with too much proble for my 79 1850. Dont sel your self short. <br>
<br>
J

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[alun n]

IMPORTANT<br>
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1: Do not let them have the car, it will end up hundreds of miles away and they will try to charge you to have it delivered back.<br>
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2: Get proper quotes for the repair from reputable repairers local to you that you can say you are happy with. If it goes to their repairer then you will have less ability to comment on quality of parts used and workmanship. The ideal solution here is for you to get a cheque and choice!<br>
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3: Do not accept their first offer, it will be derisory. Wait until it is as good as it needs to be (or more) unless you have agreed value and they insist on total loss<br>
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4: Do not mention salvage until they have made you an offer with which you are happy<br>
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5: Tony McKillop gave me (the club) a new part rear outer panel for safekeeping; he'd tried to sell it at Hatton but to no avail. Its had the bottom bit by the boot floor cut off it for another repair, but the whole of the 'vertical' bit plus is intact. He'd be delighted to know it had been used and if you wanted to pass 20 or so on to him I expect he'd be even happier.<br>
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6: I have a good s/h bootlid sitting in the garden if one is needed

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[dollyboy]

totally agree with all the above.<br>
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based on the pic i'd stick a £1500 price tag on her, and not far too far short of that with the dent. the labour for the panel work will be the killer, the parts wont cost you much.<br>
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looking at where the dent is, i reckon a good body man could push that out and you'd hardly notice fromt he inside, on the outside if its skimmed and repainted you wont notice at all!<br>
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i've rescued FAR worse than that.<br>
<br>
<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START ;) --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/wink.gif ALT=";)"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END-->

<p>project orange - gradual progress<br>
project STEALTH - PASS!!! <br>
project white - AAARGGGHHH!!! too many cars!!!</p><i></i>

[triumphtoledo]

Thanks everyone for the messages of support and advice. I have found some adverts for Dolomite 1500HL cars, all priced around £750 to £1500; but if anyone else knows of cars advertised for higher, please pass them on!<br>
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I would obviously like my car to be worth as much as possible, especiallay considering all the work done to it, and the spec - overdrive & tinted glass, alloys etc.<br>
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Although the rear panel looks repairable, it would be tricky as there is a dent where one bumper iron attached but also where the rear lamp cluster mounts, as the rear lamp took most of the impact, so I think replacement is the only real answer. To be honest, it doesn't look that difficult anyway! Thanks to the weekend's monsoon, water now leaks into the boot floor!!<br>
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Alun - the rear outer panel of yours sounds an ideal solution in the long run - would it be too much of a pain if you could send an image of it to: triumphtoledo@hotmail.com<br>
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Am calling insurance companies first thing tomorrow. Trouble is, shall I persue the company's insurance or the hire van's??<br>
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Will keep the forum updated!<br>
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<br>
<br>
<br>


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