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Location:
Melbourne
Registered:
May 2004
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Got Hit- Claiming Insurance
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Sat, 15 May 2004 04:01
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Hey Fellas,
The other day some chick in her classy car ploughed into the rear right of my TA22- completely her fault.
The damage wasn't too bad, just a big dint- no glass no bent bumper etc.
Her insurance agent calls me up to let me know what they're going to do about fixing my car. He said i take my car to a certified mechanic that their insurance company reccommends who then assesses the damage and fixes it.
Should i go with this? Is there something else i can do? Why i say this is because, my car is still stock standard from '75, and i was thinking somehow i could have done a deal with a local mechanic etc to get the entire car panel beated and resprayed. What are my chances of having that happen now? Especially for a good price and a quality job!
Also, when the mechanic assesses my car, he may decide my brakes, tyres etc aren't up to scratch thus effecting my claim to the insurance?
Advice much appreciated.
Cheers,
Kris.
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Location:
Melbourne
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Got Hit- Claiming Insurance
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Sat, 15 May 2004 05:07
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ummm no she hit you! again just get three quotes from panel beaters perfrably not friendly with her insurance company (you want it repaired not patched up! ) and send them the quotes and wait for your money!
Allan
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Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
November 2002
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Re: Got Hit- Claiming Insurance
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Sun, 16 May 2004 00:03
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The best way is to take the car to a few panel beaters for a quote. Pick some places that you would really love to work on your car - not Dodgy Bob's or anything like that.
Keep the originals, and fax (this can be done from the post office for a few bucks, and means they get it straight away without you having to wait on snail mail) copies of them to the agent the third party has their insurance with. Given that this is a third party claim (ie. this is not going through your insurance), you prettymuch have most stuff in your favour. Send with the quotes a letter of demand - something quite simple like:
Dear Sir/Madam
I refer to the traffic incident involving BMW 318i GOB-069 driven by your insured Mrs Smith on 01 January 2004.
Given the circumstances of the incident I believe that all damages should be paid by Mrs Smith. Please find following three (3) quotations from licensed operators for the repair of my vehicle.
You will note a slight difference in repair costs for each of the operators, with the cheapest being 1,000.00 as quoted by Flash Repair Place #3. Out of courtesy, and in the interests of this matter being finalised promptly, I would be prepared to settle for this amount.
I look forward to your response and settlement within ten (10) days. Please note that if further action is required on my behalf, I will hold your insured responsible for any legal costs incurred.
Should there be any queries regarding the above, please do not hesitate to contact me on (02) 6969 6969.
Kind Regards
Johnny 'Wad' Holmes
Should cover it nicely 
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Location:
Rocklea qld
Registered:
February 2003
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Re: Got Hit- Claiming Insurance
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Sun, 16 May 2004 01:18
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just check your tyres and brakes before u in......
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Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
November 2002
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Re: Got Hit- Claiming Insurance
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Sun, 16 May 2004 02:34
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when the mechanic assesses my car, he may decide my brakes, tyres etc aren't up to scratch thus effecting my claim to the insurance?
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Only if there is a dispute of liability... and only if the unroadworthy items on your vehicle contributed to the accident. For example, someone cuts you off, and you should have been able to stop in time, but your bald tyres/poor brakes cause you to hit them. In that situation you could become partially liable.
If you get rear ended or something though, your unroadworthy tyres/brakes could not have contributed to the accident, therefore it doens't make a lick of difference.
What are you doing driving with shit brakes and tyres anyway?
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Location:
Melbourne
Registered:
May 2004
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Re: Got Hit- Claiming Insurance
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Sun, 16 May 2004 06:32
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Hey guys thanks for your help, esp. 7M with that example letter!
OK, i plan to go and get 3 quotes now, and also see if i can find a panel beater who would be open to doing a deal for further panel work and respray of the entire car. Any suggestions for places to go in melbourne?
Also, when i tell AAMI my plans to use my own panel beater, are they likely to to become difficult and disagree with my course of action... even demand i use their panel beaters otherwise they won't come good with the insurance?
My car had a roadworthy not long ago, and it was all fine, but since then i suspect the brakes need changing- i wish to change them, but at the same time i will need to change the wheels? I want to upgrade to bigger brakes.
Also, i've searched and found a few threads on "rolling/lipping" each corner wheel. Is this neccessary or not? Should i get this done before a complete respray? Is the going rate $40 a corner in melbourne aswell as in sydney?
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Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
November 2002
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Re: Got Hit- Claiming Insurance
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Tue, 18 May 2004 02:17
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No problems, happy to help
As for rolling the guards, I'd suggest that you're better off doing it now rather than later. There is a chance it can crack the paint.. so you're better off getting it done beforehand and then there's definitely no risk of damage!
No need to do it, though, unless you have scrubbing issues, plan to lower the car, or plan to fit a larger wheel/tyre combo at some stage.
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Location:
Melbourne, Victoria
Registered:
February 2004
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Re: Got Hit- Claiming Insurance
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Tue, 18 May 2004 23:31
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Kris,
Perfect advice from the above members! I'd do exactly what "7M" said to do. More than likely you'll be sent a cheque or payout...
Let us know how you go!
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Location:
Melbourne
Registered:
May 2004
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Re: Got Hit- Claiming Insurance
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Thu, 20 May 2004 01:35
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Hey Guys,
Decided to ask for a pay out instead. Rather than have the car fixed. Is there a process or manner that i should go about doing this that is best?
Call them up and say, just give me money... don't want to be bothered with repairing? Will they say yes and give me money? lol.
Cheers,.
kris
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Location:
Melbourne
Registered:
May 2004
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Re: Got Hit- Claiming Insurance
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Thu, 20 May 2004 01:36
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Nickel,
Any chance your mate rolls guards as well?????
thanks again,
kris
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Location:
Melbourne, Victoria
Registered:
February 2004
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Re: Got Hit- Claiming Insurance
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Sat, 22 May 2004 00:12
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Nah, sorry dude..lol
Unless you plan to do some huge mods, don't worry about it!
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Sydney
Registered:
August 2002
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Re: Got Hit- Claiming Insurance
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Sat, 22 May 2004 08:15
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7M's got it right...
He knows his insurance stuff.... 
As for getting a payout - that is what they will do.
They will assess your car against the quote to make sure it is fair and reasonable and they are not charging too much etc.. They will then agree with the repairer of a new amount.
Say $925 (down from $1,000) and the repairs are agreed for that price. AAMI would then send you a cheque for the damage. whether you get it repaired or not, they don't really care, and they can't force you to get it repaired.
If they want to get difficult and start asking questions - tell them you are selling the car to a mate, and you have agreed on a price before the damage, and now you are still selling it to him, less the cost of repairs which AAMI are paying..
Simple
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Location:
Melbourne, Victoria
Registered:
February 2004
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Re: Got Hit- Claiming Insurance
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Sat, 22 May 2004 09:53
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Once again some great advice...let us how you go, Kris!
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Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
November 2002
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Re: Got Hit- Claiming Insurance
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Sat, 22 May 2004 13:06
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| Quote: |
Decided to ask for a pay out instead. Rather than have the car fixed. Is there a process or manner that i should go about doing this that is best?
Call them up and say, just give me money... don't want to be bothered with repairing? Will they say yes and give me money? lol.
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Personally I would be a little hesitant to do this by phone. In writing is the bast way, you can get out everything you want to say and they can't easily back you into a corner. Over the phone, nerves can often give the impression you don't know what you're on about.
Given that you have to send them the quotes in writing anyway, you may as well just fill in the blanks on my letter and send it off!
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He knows his insurance stuff....
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Awww shucks
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