Excessive costs for repair from accident

anndub

I had a minor collision in a car park a couple of weeks ago. I was looking around for a space when the car infront of me stopped suddenly. I was only travelling pretty slowly and thus no damage was done to my car, however I made a small dent in the other cars rear bumper.

The car in question was an 11 year old Toyota. My insurance company sent out an assessor and has agreed to repairs to the value of1500 euro! Replacements include rear bumper, rear bumper moulding and back panel.

While I know I am liable as I was responsible for not watching where I was going, this seems ridiculous as the car is hardly worth that. The repairs outlined are far in excess of what I would have thought would be required for such a small dent. There was alot of deep scratching on the back panel prior to the accident and Im suspicious that this is why that is being replaced.

I've just checked and the loss of my no claims bonus will double my insurance costs next year but at the same time having been made redundant recently I cannot afford to pay for the repairs of this value myself.

Im wondering is there any kind of recourse here? Can I refuse to pay such a ridiculous sum for minor damage and force the guy to get another opinion on repairs from a garage I trust?

jaffa20

anndub wrote: »

Im wondering is there any kind of recourse here? Can I refuse to pay such a ridiculous sum for minor damage and force the guy to get another opinion on repairs from a garage I trust?

Not really as your insurance company agreed that the above amount is how much it will cost. You can pay the amount yourself to avoid losing your ncb or try and settle it with the other driver outside insurance companies.

Alanstrainor

The insurance companies are dealing with it. There's not much you can do tbh.

anndub

Alanstrainor wrote: »

The insurance companies are dealing with it. There's not much you can do tbh.

The insurance company only provided the assessor report. I have not agreed to put the claim through my insurance, I'll be covering the cost of repairs myself.

But Im certain there's no way I caused that much damage. Certainly none to thw back panel.

Owen

It's your Insurance company's job to do the job as cheaply as possible to the highest standard. If they said those parts need to be replaced, they need to be replaced.

It's not what you want to hear, but if you can't afford to pay for the repairs yourself, you're going to have to put it through your Insurance. If you manage in the mean time to get your hands on some money before renewal time, you can pay the Insurance company back the cost of the repair and keep your no claims (Well, some companies allow this anyway, not all).

Grimreaper666

It doesn't seem excessive for the damage you list tbh considering it VAT inclusive etc.

mickdw

That quote would almost be writing off the toyota Id say.

frank gooding

No wonder insurance costs are so high in Ireland

We are supplementing piss take charges by garages once there is an insurance job involved.

A mate got a qoute of 1800 quid for a minor front end tip.

Garage was going to replace lots of parts that were fine.

We fixed ourselves for less than 200 to a very good standard.

Insane.

-Corkie-

mickdw wrote: »

That quote would almost be writing off the toyota Id say.

True. As the op said the car aint worth that. Maybe the op should tell the other driver to go to a bodyshop they both know and get a quote there. 1500 euro is madness..

Grimreaper666

frank gooding wrote: »

No wonder insurance costs are so high in Ireland

We are supplementing piss take charges by garages once there is an insurance job involved.

A mate got a qoute of 1800 quid for a minor front end tip.

Garage was going to replace lots of parts that were fine.

We fixed ourselves for less than 200 to a very good standard.

Insane.

What you must consider is if the car requires a rear panel and rear bumper the strength of the structure of the car has been weakened and if the car was rear ended again could be a risk to the passengers in the car, that's why the insurance company will insist on the car being repaired properly rather than beating it out with a sledge hammer.......;)

Random

The insurance company only provided the assessor report. I have not agreed to put the claim through my insurance, I'll be covering the cost of repairs myself.

you don't have a choice in it. if the other person wants to go through your insurance and you're at fault the insurance company don't need your say so.

But Im certain there's no way I caused that much damage. Certainly none to thw back panel.

if you're unhappy with the decision your insurance company have made then follow their complaints procedure. there's not a huge amount else you can do imo.

Run_to_da_hills

If I was the OP I would cough up the amount immediately and get over it.

Have a disclaimer signed and witnessed before the third party starts thinking PI.

anndub

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

If I was the OP I would cough up the amount immediately and get over it.

Have a disclaimer signed and witnessed before the third party starts thinking PI.

I dont want to cough up the amount when Im sure Im being charged for damages that were there before I rear ended him. The dent I caused was so insignificant it wasn't showing up clearly on my camera.

What I want to know is if I inform the insurance comapny I want to deal with this myself, can I request this guy gets a second quote for repairs at a garage I trust? Or am I obliged to now pay what the assessor agreed.

Damn learner drivers executing emergency stops willy nilly

neilthefunkeone

Ask the guy will he get quotes from some random places.. you do it too.. And agree on one of the prices.. My dad has been going around this week getting quotes after he had a bang in his car.. the quotes are wildly different depending where he goes..

Jimmy Bottlehead

Tough lesson but goes to prove, two second rule (or whatever the equivalent) is there for a reason.

BeardyGit

anndub wrote: »

Damn learner drivers executing emergency stops willy nilly

Damned experienced drivers who should know better than to drive too close to a learner driver!

Accidents happen and that's what insurance is for. Figure out how much it'll cost you in loading at renewals until you've your NCB back and weigh it up against coughing up the €1500 yourself. The only choice you have is whether you pay it yourself now, repay it to your insurer once they've paid out or repay it in the form of loading at renewal time. The rest is entirely up to the 3rd party.

Heroditas

Grimreaper666 wrote: »

What you must consider is if the car requires a rear panel and rear bumper the strength of the structure of the car has been weakened and if the car was rear ended again could be a risk to the passengers in the car, that's why the insurance company will insist on the car being repaired properly rather than beating it out with a sledge hammer.......;)

Sorry but I can't agree.
Someone drove into the back of me recently and I needed a new rear panel and bumper. However, the repair guys said the integrity and structure of the car was fine because the rear structural bar hadn't been touched during the collision.

OP - a couple of years ago I took a Yaris with a damaged front bumper and front side panel to Linders to get a quote. They quoted me €1500 for a replacement front bumper and side panel and the required spraying.
I got it done in an independent guy's place for €700.

nogoodnamesleft

The difference in prices depends on a number of different factors including:

- patent parts vs New OEM parts vs Used OEM parts (from breaker),
- Labour charges differ from place to place (depends on the facilities - baking ovens for example for paint is a large overhead)
- Extent of the damage to the vehicle.

Sometimes the full extent of the damage to the vehicle arent known until the damaged parts are off the vehicle and the panel beater can get an unobstructed view of the car, chassis, wishbone, inner wings etc.

Cars can mean a lot more to people than simply ferrying them around from A to B people can grow attached the their vehicle. Classics for example can be in the same ownership for years. Most long term owners would take the crash repairable option over money anyday.

Bogger77

anndub wrote: »

I dont want to cough up the amount when Im sure Im being charged for damages that were there before I rear ended him. The dent I caused was so insignificant it wasn't showing up clearly on my camera.

What I want to know is if I inform the insurance comapny I want to deal with this myself, can I request this guy gets a second quote for repairs at a garage I trust? Or am I obliged to now pay what the assessor agreed.

Damn learner drivers executing emergency stops willy nilly

1) if can prove the other driver was testing brakes, then you wouldn't be liable.
You can't do that.
2) I was involved in a crash where a person ran into the back of my car. they left minor scuffs on my back bumper, but wrote their own car off. And the back panel behind the bumper on mine had deformed in by almost 4inches. Cost of repairs to mine, over 3,000e.

Just cos it's not on a picture, or the bumper didn't look crumbled, don't mean anything.

Bogger77

anndub wrote: »

What I want to know is if I inform the insurance comapny I want to deal with this myself, can I request this guy gets a second quote for repairs at a garage I trust? Or am I obliged to now pay what the assessor agreed.

You cannot force the injured party to do anything, they've got a quote,that's all they have to do.

The freelance assessor for an insurance company has agreed the costs are reasonable. Most of these guys, in my experience, are well trained motor repair guys, who can tell if someone is taking the piss. [EDIT] If this goes to court, you'll lose on this fact alone. IE damages assessed as real, repair costs accurate.

It doesn't really matter that the bumper had other marks on it, it now needs replacing, and probably repainting to match the rest of the car. It'd cost you more, if you wanted the painter to replicate the condition of the existing bumper.

Doesn't sound like you've got a pending PI claim, so if you don't fancy your insurance going up for the next 3 to 4 years, and want the flexibility to move insurance companies, you can pay directly or pay the insurance company.

If you cannot afford the cash, would a loan of 1500 cost more than what you're insurance will rise over the next 4 years? It might be cheaper to take the insurance hit.

anndub

Bogger77 wrote: »

1) if can prove the other driver was testing brakes, then you wouldn't be liable.
You can't do that.
2) I was involved in a crash where a person ran into the back of my car. they left minor scuffs on my back bumper, but wrote their own car off. And the back panel behind the bumper on mine had deformed in by almost 4inches. Cost of repairs to mine, over 3,000e.

Just cos it's not on a picture, or the bumper didn't look crumbled, don't mean anything.

Sounds like a more serious collision. I thought I had allowed enough breaking distance but had not factored the gravel surface so skidded into him, slowly. No damage done to my car. I've had it checked.

Im not trying to get out of repairing this guys car. I realise im liable. He is not answering his phone though so I cant discuss making the repairs. I want to know where I stand from a legal point of view regarding this.

Bogger77

I can't blame him for not answering, why would he?

You've passed it onto your insurance company, they're the only people who can deal with him, in relation to the claim.

Owen

anndub wrote: »

I want to know where I stand from a legal point of view regarding this.

You can't get legal advice from boards, it's not allowed. Talk to a solicitor if you want legal advice, but IMO, there's little you can do. Just let the Insurance companies get on with it.

ottostreet

anndub wrote: »

Sounds like a more serious collision. I thought I had allowed enough breaking distance but had not factored the gravel surface so skidded into him, slowly. No damage done to my car. I've had it checked.

Im not trying to get out of repairing this guys car. I realise im liable. He is not answering his phone though so I cant discuss making the repairs. I want to know where I stand from a legal point of view regarding this.

what? where were you?

Drummerboy08

OP, even in low speed collisions, it is very easy for there to be damaged caused to both vehicles which is not visable without removing the bumper.

I have a car at the minute with a small mark on the rear bumper, but it could cost up to 3k to repair the damage, as panels behind the bumper - which are specifically designed to take the impact - are wrecked.

the_one_&_only

My girlfriend has a similar issue when the car in front of her in the filter lane braked suddenly to avoid a truck and my girlfriend braked but the ground was greasy and she hit the back of the car. She's has taken responsibility

No damage to her car but there was a tiny crack on the other cars rear bumper. She got the quote from him and its over a €1k from a main dealer she wants to pay it rather than go through the insurance but can she ask him to get a 2nd quote just so she isn't getting ripped off???

anndub

the_one_&_only wrote: »

My girlfriend has a similar issue when the car in front of her in the filter lane braked suddenly to avoid a truck and my girlfriend braked but the ground was greasy and she hit the back of the car. She's has taken responsibility

No damage to her car but there was a tiny crack on the other cars rear bumper. She got the quote from him and its over a €1k from a main dealer she wants to pay it rather than go through the insurance but can she ask him to get a 2nd quote just so she isn't getting ripped off???

According to my insurance company if you are liable for an accident the third party is only obliged to get one quote. Most decent people will happily get a second if the damage is only minor but they are not obliged to and assuming they took your insurance details are entitled to make a claim direct to your insurance for the initial quote if they wish.

It really depends on how forgiving the other party is. The guy I hit refused to go to the garage I normally deal with and trust, therefore I had to involve the insurance company. There's no harm asking the guy to get another quote. Worst that can come of it is he refuses

Its wise to notify the insurance anyway just incase personal injury claims start coming up.

Gophur

anndub wrote: »

........... The guy I hit refused to go to the garage I normally deal with and trust,...........

Safe to assume it is a garage he does not deal with, and, therefore, cannot trust?

Leave it with the Insurance co and move on.

anndub

Gophur wrote: »

Leave it with the Insurance co and move on.

I have, I was replying to the previous post.