What Would You Do? - Car Accident

[NozSpark]

Right... As some of you might remember we own/borrow/lease a motability car (brand new Dec 2013)

Yesterday I was parked (engine off) about 50 yards up the road from a local corner shop (not one of Kerch's local shops,,, a real corner shop ) when a car passing us from behind kindly took the drivers side mirror off, glass hanging and front trim 8' down the road... The car carried on going but the driver is an elderly customer of mine.

I went to see them today, to exchange details, and they (her daughter) offered to pay for the damage without going through the insurance co.

Yesterday afternoon I did manage to reassemble the parts, but a few of the clips are broken and the trim is scuffed to hell, the electric adjust,fold and camera seem to work,,,, but if there is anything damaged that I can't see then it could end up being a really expensive repair... on the other hand a trim cover costs £40ish and just clips in

So,,, what would you do... Insurance co. or have the damage investigated for them to pay?

 

[binky]

anything is better than going through insurance company....

 

[Sharpend]

First of all if you are happy to trust them as individuals to pay then make enquiries with the main dealer for replacement/repair costs, also ask them if it's likely that anything else could be damaged? Dependant upon their answers then give the costs to the elderly gentleman to deliberate costing. If they are not happy them just get their insurance details and let their insurance deal with it. You may lose a client but it'll probably be cheaper than the hassle of repairs insurance co etc. ?

 

[Andy™]

as above, get someone to look at it and see what needs done. doesnt have to be a dealer but at least someone who knows the vehicle. also, ou say its motobility - whats in their T&C's about it?

or just go to one of those scammers lawyers who will get you ££££ for you whiplash, £££££ for the repairs  etc

 

[NozSpark]

I can promise that there will be no hassle about any repairs as Motability HAVE to supply a courtesy car,,, the only hassle will be having to deliver the car for the repairs, and the pick up afterwards

I am concerned about the possibility of any damage to something that I've not seen though,, and I'm sure that a complete mirror assy will run into the mid 3 figures (no problem) - heated mirror, electric adjust, electric fold and camera

I will not be claiming for whiplash BTW

 

[Sharpend]

I can promise that

I will not be claiming for whiplash BTW

However I was drinking a hot drink at the time so will claim for scalding!

 

[MeFil]

As above. Go to the main dealer and get a quote for the repairs. Pass it on to the other party and see how they want to proceed. Either paying you the money or going via the insurance company.

I imagine things will sort out quite quickly. I mean, nobody wants to be reported for failing to report an accident.

 

[Apache]

Have a look on ebay:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2008-2014-NISSAN-QASHQAI-O-S-GENUINE-DRIVER-SIDE-POWER-FOLD-WING-MIRROR-CAMERA-/251530317229?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&fits=Car+Make%3ANissan|Model%3AQashqai&hash=item3a90600dad

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nissan-Qashqai-Door-Wing-Mirror-drivers-side-o-s-Genuine-type-with-camera-/281324620233?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item41804109c9

 

[binky]

camera in the mirror?

 

[Blue Duck]

I clipped a neighbours mirror once. It was a POS n reg escort. I owned up and it cost me £150! he got a new one from a dealer and colour matched...

Git

 

[NozSpark]

Have a look on ebay:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2008-2014-NISSAN-QASHQAI-O-S-GENUINE-DRIVER-SIDE-POWER-FOLD-WING-MIRROR-CAMERA-/251530317229?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&fits=Car+Make%3ANissan|Model%3AQashqai&hash=item3a90600dad

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nissan-Qashqai-Door-Wing-Mirror-drivers-side-o-s-Genuine-type-with-camera-/281324620233?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item41804109c9

 Yes, that's the one (in black)... But there is no way in this life time that I'd be fitting it, remember its not my car and its also only 6 months old

camera in the mirror?

Yes a camera in t mirror, it has 360deg camera coverage which comes on when its in reverse or when you push a button on the dash and <5mph.... Its great for picking up trailer hitches

 

[Sidewinder]

Noz,

Take it to the Main Stealer and see what they have to say, take that price to the people who hit you, and explain that as it is a Motability car, then it has to be done right, that is the price from the Main Stealer, and the car is only 6m old and is still under Manufacturers warranty, and MUST be repaired in accordance with manufacturers requirements to meet the conditions of your Motability contract, & the vehicle warranty, however, if the price is too much, you, may be able to get it done cheaper at an independent body shop, which you can legally, no matter what Motability say.

That is the law.

Then you could get a price from a reliable, reputable local independent IF they are not happy with the Main Stealer price.

IF they try to bail out, remind them that leaving the scene of an accident is a criminal offence?...

 

[NozSpark]

I think she wanted to look at paying to get out of having to pay the excess, but it looks like it could easily be more than that.

She's a 92year old dear and has protected no claims, she says she did hear something but thought that it was a stone,, she also feels that she only has a year of driving left in her and is quite upset at that realisation as she has driven since she was 17, ambulances and lorries during WW2

She also said that being old just makes her an old driver, not a good driver.... There's truth in that

 

[batty]

Well quite honestly I would advise her to give up driving not being nasty or anything next time she may hit a person. There comes a time when any driver needs to stop driving due to age,health E.T.C.

 

[Apache]

If I had my wing mirror knocked off by a 92 year old client - I'm pretty damn sure I'd just swap it for an ebay special myself.

Even I have changed a wing mirror - warranty or not.

 

[apprentice87]

Hi All,

Problem is, it is not YOUR car.. If i understand these things correctly it is owned by Motability. As it is Motability's car, then they surely can specify who repairs it. If you have a repair done yourself, what happens when you go to hand the car back to motability and then they decide to "have it repaired properly" and then bill YOU???

I would take it to wherever motability say, get a QUOTE to do the work, and then get the client to pay.

Try to avoid the insurance route, as it will hit YOUR no claims too. REMEMBER, the insurance companies delight in saying it is actually a "no claims" bonus, NOT a "no blame" bonus......

john...

 

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

Any insurance authorised repairers will not 'repair' anything, only replace with genuine parts so the smallest job ends up costing thousands. BUT, the worst bit is i can absolutely guarantee you will be plagued by ambulance chasing scum filled call centres claiming to be working for solicitors due to your non-fault accident. These calls will come from all over the world for at least 3 years, i have had over 600 calls in 2 2/1 years since a  claim even though i made sure all boxes were ticked or not and asked for my details not to be used. I know many others in the same situation so never give any phone numbers, just a new email that you can ignore after.

 

[NozSpark]

1. This claim will not affect any NCD as the insurance is included in the "lease"

2. The wife has been in touch with the insurance co.... the ball is rolling.... its being picked up tomorrow to be assessed and a hire car has already been authosised... the one thing that did p us off was that someone (cant remember if insurance or hire car co) intimated that we should be claiming for "shock".... is it a wonder that insurance costs so much?????

BTW i spotted a couple of scratches on the wing where the cover must have caught on its way :| apparently a workshop replacement mirror is knocking on £800

 

[revjames]

I ran into the back of a motability car in a works van a couple of years ago. A Nissan Note. He (quite elderly)  jammed the anchors on in the middle of the road to avoid a pheasant and the vauxhall combi without abs or anything could not avoid the shunt. When I looked at the back of his car there was not a scratch and I took photos to show the boss. he insisted on not moving the car and going to motability with it. Eventually the cost (incl 1 weeks car hire ) was £1800

 

[NozSpark]

One of the problems with modern cars are the bumpers,,, they're made of very thin but very pliable plastic, so while the bumper might look untouched, the car beneath could have been quite badly damaged

I think the hire car will be an X3