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Lorry hit my car

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  • 06-04-2021 7:38pm
    #1
    Tinkerbell4484
    Registered Users Posts: 596 ✭✭✭


    Car was parked up today,outside my workplace,and a lorry hit it while reversing.
    Took a good chunk out of the top of the boot, dented the wing and scraped the bumper.
    He seemed to be a delivery company,so gave me the number to contact his boss. I drive a newish A6,and he wanted me to bring it to someone he knows a good distance away from me to get it repaired,and give me an old van he has while waiting.
    I have kids so tried to explain to him that the van wouldn't work for me, but so, he had also told me he contacted his insurance company and this is what they told him to do.
    I wasn't happy about this being honest, only for one of my colleagues seen him hit the car,it seemed like the driver wasn't going to mention it to me.
    I havnt been able to get through to my insurance company all day, but I contacted theirs.
    Their insurance said it hadn't been reported to them at all, and asked me to bring it to their approved garage, to be assessed, as, they contacted the company and he said he was it fault.
    I brought it to the garage, it was looked at, around €5,000 damage, the insurance said now that the garage will send them an invoice,which I will get also to go over, and then if I'm happy that it'll be repaired.
    I'm just wondering how long that will all take? Like I said there's a good bit of the boot missing, and I don't want to make electrics or water in the boot.
    Also, will the garage give me a replacement while waiting?
    Still trying my own insurance I've emailed them also.


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    #2
    mickdw
    Registered Users Posts: 23,285 ✭✭✭✭mickdw


    Tinkerbell4484 wrote: »
    Car was parked up today,outside my workplace,and a lorry hit it while reversing.
    Took a good chunk out of the top of the boot, dented the wing and scraped the bumper.
    He seemed to be a delivery company,so gave me the number to contact his boss. I drive a newish A6,and he wanted me to bring it to someone he knows a good distance away from me to get it repaired,and give me an old van he has while waiting.
    I have kids so tried to explain to him that the van wouldn't work for me, but so, he had also told me he contacted his insurance company and this is what they told him to do.
    I wasn't happy about this being honest, only for one of my colleagues seen him hit the car,it seemed like the driver wasn't going to mention it to me.
    I havnt been able to get through to my insurance company all day, but I contacted theirs.
    Their insurance said it hadn't been reported to them at all, and asked me to bring it to their approved garage, to be assessed, as, they contacted the company and he said he was it fault.
    I brought it to the garage, it was looked at, around €5,000 damage, the insurance said now that the garage will send them an invoice,which I will get also to go over, and then if I'm happy that it'll be repaired.
    I'm just wondering how long that will all take? Like I said there's a good bit of the boot missing, and I don't want to make electrics or water in the boot.
    Also, will the garage give me a replacement while waiting?
    Still trying my own insurance I've emailed them also.

    The first rule of car accidents is never ever consider bringing your car to a garage as suggested by the at fault party.
    Id love a photo - it sounds like very significant damage.
    As it wasnt your fault, all your costs will be claimable - so that will cover car hire for the duration and depreciation of your car due to accident.
    I would be getting the car to the repairer immediately if there is danger of water entering etc. Take no chances.


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    #3
    Tinkerbell4484
    Registered Users Posts: 596 ✭✭✭Tinkerbell4484


    mickdw wrote: »
    The first rule of car accidents is never ever consider bringing your car to a garage as suggested by the at fault party.
    Id love a photo - it sounds like very significant damage.
    As it wasnt your fault, all your costs will be claimable - so that will cover car hire for the duration and depreciation of your car due to accident.
    I would be getting the car to the repairer immediately if there is danger of water entering etc. Take no chances.

    No, that's why I wasn't happy with what he was asking, to bring it to the garage he knew, and that is why I phoned his insurance. And so their approved garage assessed it. To be honest I can't afford to repair myself and get reimbursed. But it's the water damage that's worrying me.


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    #4
    bazz26
    Registered Users Posts: 51,157 ✭✭✭✭bazz26


    You bring it to where you want it fixed, the guilty party nor his insurance company get to decide that. Bring it to a garage that you trust and get them to assess the damage and quote you a cost to repair it. Remember that's in the interest of his insurance company to get the car repaired at the lowest price possible to them so that doesn't necessarily mean that the job will be done correctly or to the highest quality. If it's a newish car then bring it to a main dealer for repair as they will fit new parts and stand over any repair work properly, with a newish car the quality of repair work is really important as it effects the resale value of your car.

    Did you open a claim with his insurance company? If not then that's what you should focus on. You are obliged to inform your own insurance company but ultimately it will be the guilty party's insurance company you will be dealing with. As regards a replacement car while yours is off the road? You need to submit a claim for car rental with his insurance company also for the duration of time that you are without your car through the fault of their client. You may have to take a tough line with the insurance company if they start messing you around as again they may only want to give you the smallest and cheapest rented car possible and may try to only offer it for x number of days as that suits their pocket rather than your inconvenience.


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    #5
    bazz26
    Registered Users Posts: 51,157 ✭✭✭✭bazz26


    Tinkerbell4484 wrote: »
    No, that's why I wasn't happy with what he was asking, to bring it to the garage he knew, and that is why I phoned his insurance. And so their approved garage assessed it. To be honest I can't afford to repair myself and get reimbursed. But it's the water damage that's worrying me.

    Get the car towed to where you want it repaired if driving it isn't an option and make sure to get an invoice for the towing cost. You will want to add that to the cost of the claim.


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    #6
    ec_pc
    Registered Users Posts: 446 ✭✭ec_pc


    In a very similar situation back in 2016, we were stationary in the car and were hit from the front by a moving truck. Extremely frightening at the time, he claims he never saw us and swerved at the last minute thus avoiding a head on collision. I saw my life flash before my eyes that day.

    Anyhow the transport co wanted to take our car and get it repaired in a franchise dealer of the correct marque, the dealer was a friend of the transport co. The car was only 4 weeks old at the time so I dug my heels in and said no, and car was sent to my dealer where we bought. Our dealer initially thought it was a write off, but strangely chassis was not bent but whole steering rack had to be replaced. In the end the repairs cost over 16k plus hire car for 6 weeks plus depreciation payment to us.

    Things got messy with their insurance company and I had to threaten legal action with respect to the claim. In the end we traded it in after 14 months as my wife didn't feel safe driving it.

    My advice is do not let that car out of your sight until it is at at your own repair centre where you have control over what happens.


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    #7
    Eggs For Dinner
    Registered Users Posts: 2,946 ✭✭✭Eggs For Dinner


    You are entitled to bring your car to any reputable garage of your choice, but there are advantages to using their approved repairers. They are usually very reputable and will provide you with a replacement car while repairs are being made. You won't have to pay anything in the meantime
    You do need to notify your insurer for record purposes


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    #8
    Tinkerbell4484
    Registered Users Posts: 596 ✭✭✭Tinkerbell4484


    Thank you for all the replies. Yes I opened a claim with his insurance company.
    It is their approved garage that have assessed the car.


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    #9
    _Kaiser_
    Registered Users Posts: 28,729 ✭✭✭✭_Kaiser_


    Tinkerbell4484 wrote: »
    Thank you for all the replies. Yes I opened a claim with his insurance company.
    It is their approved garage that have assessed the car.

    Make sure you keep trying your insurer as well until you get through and bring them up to speed.

    How old is the car? Any pics of the damage?


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    #10
    Tinkerbell4484
    Registered Users Posts: 596 ✭✭✭Tinkerbell4484


    _Kaiser_ wrote: »
    Make sure you keep trying your insurer as well until you get through and bring them up to speed.

    How old is the car? Any pics of the damage?

    It's 2015, I'm proberbly making a big deal out of nothing. I'll try attach some photos now.


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    #11
    bazz26
    Registered Users Posts: 51,157 ✭✭✭✭bazz26


    Jesus Christ, it certainly is a big deal. Was it Godzilla who hit it?


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    #12
    mfceiling
    Registered Users Posts: 12,786 ✭✭✭✭mfceiling


    Tinkerbell4484 wrote: »
    It's 2015, I'm proberbly making a big deal out of nothing. I'll try attach some photos now.

    You're not making a big deal. That's a fair bit of damage. As others have said I'd bring it to Audi themselves and get it done 100%.
    His fault, he's to blame and that's his insurance companies problem and not yours. You shouldn't be inconvenienced in the slightest by this.


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    #13
    cml387
    Registered Users Posts: 8,380 ✭✭✭cml387


    Ouch. That's nasty, and I can see why you're concerned about water ingress.

    Insurer approved garages specialised in car repair are the way to go. A main dealer will just outsource to them anyway.


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    #14
    GreeBo
    Registered Users Posts: 27,108 ✭✭✭✭GreeBo


    100% go to Audi Main dealer of your choice to get it fixed.
    I have the same car and was hit from behind and the guy wanted me to go to a nearby "car fixer guy" who was going to fill it and paint the bumper at best for a couple of hundred quid.

    I went to Audi and they put on a new bumper, sprayed it to match and also had to replace some fixings, was over 2K.


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    #15
    kirving
    Registered Users Posts: 5,916 ✭✭✭kirving


    The advice to go to the main dealer is correct. Relatively new premium car. You might be told that the dealer will just send it out to a third party (which they might) and charge a premium to do so (which they will).

    But the difference is, you can be assured that the repair is carried out to the manufacturer specs, and parts will be replaced as opposed to repaired if there is any doubt whatsoever. In the meantime, cover up the hole as best you can with duct tape to keep it as dry as possible.


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    #16
    listermint
    Registered Users Posts: 33,739 ✭✭✭✭listermint


    GreeBo wrote: »
    100% go to Audi Main dealer of your choice to get it fixed.
    I have the same car and was hit from behind and the guy wanted me to go to a nearby "car fixer guy" who was going to fill it and paint the bumper at best for a couple of hundred quid.

    I went to Audi and they put on a new bumper, sprayed it to match and also had to replace some fixings, was over 2K.

    They definitely didn't. They brought it to their approved body shop which would also be the approved body shops of the insurers.


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    #17
    Tinkerbell4484
    Registered Users Posts: 596 ✭✭✭Tinkerbell4484


    So quick question. I've received the invoice of the repairs, outlining the work and there does not appear to be 1 new part. Its all bonding and filling. Would this be right? This is from the insurance companies garage.
    It's all for under 3k also.


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    #18
    SweetCaliber
    Registered Users Posts: 2,464 ✭✭✭SweetCaliber


    Tinkerbell4484 wrote: »
    So quick question. I've received the invoice of the repairs, outlining the work and there does not appear to be 1 new part. Its all bonding and filling. Would this be right? This is from the insurance companies garage.
    It's all for under 3k also.

    Haha you'd want some fillers for that. Op bring it to your own dealer or reputable repairer of choice and get a quote.


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    #19
    statto25
    Registered Users Posts: 3,839 ✭✭✭statto25


    I'm no panel beater but jaysus no amount of filler would sort that. A new quarter panel must be needed? As everyone else has said, bring it into the dealer OP


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    #20
    L1011
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 67,859 Mod ✭✭✭✭L1011


    You'd need a new quarter panel there, and there would be quite a lot of bonding and filler (and paint) involved in tying that in. The actual panel could be surprisingly cheap but it'd need to be on the quote.

    Under 3k is possible although sounds cheap.


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    #21
    GreeBo
    Registered Users Posts: 27,108 ✭✭✭✭GreeBo


    listermint wrote: »
    They definitely didn't. They brought it to their approved body shop which would also be the approved body shops of the insurers.
    Lol, what are you talking about chief?
    I brought it to my Audi main dealer which is also a service centre and they repaired my car.

    My car gets repaired where I want it repaired, insurance don't get a say in the manner.


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    #22
    GreeBo
    Registered Users Posts: 27,108 ✭✭✭✭GreeBo


    Tinkerbell4484 wrote: »
    So quick question. I've received the invoice of the repairs, outlining the work and there does not appear to be 1 new part. Its all bonding and filling. Would this be right? This is from the insurance companies garage.
    It's all for under 3k also.
    Bonding and filling isn't returning your car to the condition it was in before the crash.


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    #23
    Oscar Madison
    Registered Users Posts: 693 ✭✭✭Oscar Madison


    I would agree that those panels need replacing and not filling.


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    #24
    L1011
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 67,859 Mod ✭✭✭✭L1011


    GreeBo wrote: »
    Lol, what are you talking about chief?
    I brought it to my Audi main dealer which is also a service centre and they repaired my car.

    My car gets repaired where I want it repaired, insurance don't get a say in the manner.

    The vast, vast majority of main dealer / service centres just punt the work out to a chosen body shop and take a margin on the work. They have neither the skills nor the kit on-site to do the work themselves.

    Unless you can actually see a paint booth and a chassis jig, they don't do bodywork there.


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    #25
    Gooser14
    Registered Users Posts: 1,556 ✭✭✭Gooser14


    In addition to the repair you should be looking for monetary compensation as the resale value of your car will be depreciated as a result of the damage repair.


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    #26
    sunnyt1234
    Registered Users Posts: 13 ✭sunnyt1234


    Yes this happened to me a few years ago. Three year old car and got hit from the side. As the other party assumed blame their insurance company asked could they take it for repairs and give me a replacement. I was a little hesitant but when I rang the main dealer to say where my car was going to be repaired they told me they'd be sending it to the same place. They outsourced all of that kind of work and they said only a few places in Dublin capable of that level of repair. It cost the guy who crashed into me and his insurance a little less as they avoided the main dealer step and my car got fixed to a very high standard.

    OP I hope you get sorted. I'm glad no one was hurt.


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    #27
    Tinkerbell4484
    Registered Users Posts: 596 ✭✭✭Tinkerbell4484


    Gooser14 wrote: »
    In addition to the repair you should be looking for monetary compensation as the resale value of your car will be depreciated as a result of the damage repair.

    I knew nothing about this.
    I have contacted the insurance company again, and asked them to revise the invoice as there is no panel ect on it, they have said they need to speak to their asser and they will phone me back.


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    #28
    GreeBo
    Registered Users Posts: 27,108 ✭✭✭✭GreeBo


    L1011 wrote: »
    The vast, vast majority of main dealer / service centres just punt the work out to a chosen body shop and take a margin on the work. They have neither the skills nor the kit on-site to do the work themselves.

    Unless you can actually see a paint booth and a chassis jig, they don't do bodywork there.

    Sure, but I don't see how that's in any way relevant?
    You bring your car to the main dealer and they give it back to you repaired. Whether they do it on the forecourt, in an underground bunker or with a third party is completely irrelevant to you, your contract is with them.


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    #29
    L1011
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 67,859 Mod ✭✭✭✭L1011


    GreeBo wrote: »
    Sure, but I don't see how that's in any way relevant?
    You bring your car to the main dealer and they give it back to you repaired. Whether they do it on the forecourt, in an underground bunker or with a third party is completely irrelevant to you, your contract is with them.

    You were specifically disputing a post saying the dealer passed the work on elsewhere. When they are almost certainly did do.


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    #30
    GreeBo
    Registered Users Posts: 27,108 ✭✭✭✭GreeBo


    L1011 wrote: »
    You were specifically disputing a post saying the dealer passed the work on elsewhere. When they are almost certainly did do.

    No, I was saying that I brought it to a main dealer and a main dealer gave it back to me, whatever happens after that is irrelevant. Does it change anything if the mechanic is an associate or a contractor?

    If you have the cash or its an insurance job, you bring your car to the main dealer for the various reasons that were already outlined. They may being it to the same body shop that you could have gone to yourself, but you aren't coming away with the same thing if you do it that way. (It will *likely* be the same repair, but not the same service, experience or warranty)


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    #31
    listermint
    Registered Users Posts: 33,739 ✭✭✭✭listermint


    GreeBo wrote: »
    No, I was saying that I brought it to a main dealer and a main dealer gave it back to me, whatever happens after that is irrelevant. Does it change anything if the mechanic is an associate or a contractor?

    If you have the cash or its an insurance job, you bring your car to the main dealer for the various reasons that were already outlined. They may being it to the same body shop that you could have gone to yourself, but you aren't coming away with the same thing if you do it that way. (It will *likely* be the same repair, but not the same service, experience or warranty)

    That's not what you said ,for clarity.

    The dealer no dealer has tools or skills onsite to repair crashed vehicles. They use exactly the same places as the leading insurers. I can send you a list.

    Your contact via the main dealer is irrelevant. They offer no better or worse service. You'd get the same service from the reputable repair centre.

    That's the reality.

    Oh and just to add. Main dealers despise dealing with this type of stuff too. It's overhead they don't need.


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