The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

Well yesterday saw my car get it again. This time someone from down under in a rental car, they'd driven 4 miles before causing mayhem.
I yelled at him to stop moving his car THREE times after the initial impact. I got out of the passenger seat to instruct him how to extricate is car from mine, he wanted to spin the steering wheel at great speed each time, with each spin his massive wheels bumped into my doors. IDIOT!!!!

Called the Footman James insurance line run by DAS, they took the details and patched me through to Equity Red Star insurance, where I was told that due to the insurance valuation of £2,000 (I was going to up it to £4,000 on Saturday when it's due for renewal) if I claimed the car would be scrapped.

My plan now is to get the cheapest possible car policy with the most basic of cover from the scammiest of companies.

Here's the damage:
Damage to the Vauxhall Mokka - plastic bit and the alloy:
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Damage to my Dolly rear to front, all the damage after the initial impact was caused by his stupidity. Both door bottoms are creased.
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Make the claim as a third party on his insurance rather than relying on your's to do it for you. A bit of extra effort, but probably worth it.

There are a few things worth pursuing. Start by getting prices for repair. And if less than 2k, then you could ask the insurance for a cash settlement. Sadly even if you claim direct, and the other driver admits liability, it still affects future premiums.
If the insurance do write the car off (hopefully not for such minor damage), but conceivable) ask to keep the salvage, and get it repaired

I wouldn't touch many companies for insurance. I have been with Peter James for some years, and they are head and shoulders above FJ in terms of customer service (though not had a claim)

TBH I have ZERO faith in insurance companies and always pursue claims myself (though TBF i've not had one for 30+ years)

But my GT6 got clobbered twice in 6 weeks, once while parked and the second, a woman in a Fiesta pulled out of a side road right under my nose and I T-boned her! The same assessor came twice to see the car (representing 2 different companies!) and I did a cash deal with him on both! This was before agreed value policies were available generally so I had to do some fast talking, but I ended up getting paid out (in 1982) £1650 for both lots of damage on a car that, not counting labour, had only cost me about a grand to build! The first prang was only just over a month from when I got the car back on the road following a 2 year, body off resto, so I was a bit gutted! And though I did repair the car, probably even better than the first build, I never really felt the same about it again! In fact it has coloured my attitude to this day, for the first few weeks, I washed and polished it every week, after that, I lost interest and I still can't be bothered now! What's the point in having a lovely looking car when some ignorant numpty is gonna bend it for you?

Steve

Insurance is basically a racket but sadly one you have to have.

Putting aside the damage repair, did you have agreed value on the vehicle?

Me and my tame painter would be more than happy to repair that for the £2k! You might even get a bit of change!

Steve

did you call the cops? did you get a crime reference number?

tamtrucks wrote: ↑Mon Jul 16, 2018 3:56 pm did you call the cops? did you get a crime reference number?

I tried calling the police after an accident. They were clear that they were not interested unless it was serious/injury etc.
You may have got a better response? (but then again that was 8 years ago, and things have got tighter for the rozzers)

And I don't think a crime had been committed? just an "incident"

Spot on, no injury then no police presence for as far as the law goes it's just a civil matter of tort unless the damage was caused with intent.

it must be a new thing that`s come about,not had an issue with fj in the past regarding accidents,last one was 11yrs ago with my old cortina

Thanks for all the responses.

I called Peter James at 09:00 this morning as soon as their office opened, and they picked up right away.
I explained everything that had happened and that had been said by the insurance company, Peter James were not happy.
They explained all the ins and outs, everything, and are more than happy to wait a few weeks for my estimates,, so we will wait and see.
They were brilliant on the 'phone.

As for cops? Forget it, they are not interested, unless someone dies then they arrive en masse and close the motorways for 24 hours.

Steve, you'd better not make offers like that I might just arrive at your workshop!

GTS290N wrote: ↑Mon Jul 16, 2018 7:32 pm Thanks for all the responses.

Steve, you'd better not make offers like that I might just arrive at your workshop!

That was more than half serious, I could smell a thoroughly unfair profit!

Seriously, a couple of club half skins, maybe a rear lower 1/4 repair, a little panel beating, some paint and a bumper corner. The hardest part would be sourcing the rubbing strips for the doors!

Steve

I know you're pi55ed off but its hardly a scam, you agreed the value when you took the policy and haven't opted for salvage rights so if the costs of repair are more than about 70% of the cars value the car or there is damage to unobtainable panels will go for scrap (or more likely salvage auction) and you get paid what you have valued the car at. the person you initially spoke to is just a call centre who arrange the collection of the car so you've done the right thing by chasing it up.

edit to add.... I might have one of those rubbing strips I can donate.

Carledo wrote: ↑Mon Jul 16, 2018 7:54 pm The hardest part would be sourcing the rubbing strips for the doors!

Steve

There is a large diameter cardboard tube full of such trim on the next cellar step up from where the door repairs are kept!

TrustNo1 wrote: ↑Mon Jul 16, 2018 8:44 pm ......... if the costs of repair are more than about 70% of the cars value the car or there is damage to unobtainable panels will go for scrap (or more likely salvage auction) and you get paid what you have valued the car at...............

And that's exactly what Peter James explained this morning, they were brilliant. They also said if the car was deemed a cat N write-off I would get the insured value minus excess and have the option to buy the car back.

Further edit - this proves how important it is to get a good broker. The insurance companies obviously will protect themselves, but your broker can help them do the right thing.