Thought I’d go shopping today, so I went to St Georges shopping in centre in Harrow. There’s a hand car wash company located in the car park of the shopping centre, so I thought I’d leave my 500 with them for a good clean while I went off shopping.
On my return, one of the car wash guys approached me to say the he had some bad news about my car. Basically, whilst they were cleaning the inside wind screen, they accidently knocked off the rear view mirror, which normally wouldn’t be a problem, but the glue (or whatever Fiat use to attach the mirror to the wind screen) was so strong that it took a chunk of glass out of the wind screen, leaving a bit a crater in the windscreen. The chunk of glass was still attached to the mirror, so I thought that maybe I’d be able to super glue the mirror back to the windscreen, inserting the chunk of glass back into the “crater”. But the end result is awful. Looking at it from the outside, you can still see the “crater”.
I’ve phoned the insurance company and they have quoted £390ish for new windscreen and mirror. My excess is £320, but the insurance company told me to claim that excess back from the car wash place.
I’m going to contact the car wash guys (they are part of a franchise) and see what their response will be.
I’m so gutted, as I only had four weeks to go before I traded my 500 in for the Abarth 500. How much is this accident going to take off the final value of the car?
My neighbour told me I should keep quiet about it, and hope for the best when trading in.
I’d be grateful for any suggestions as I feel obliged to fix it, but at the same time I’m trying to find the best possible financial solution (in case the car wash guys refuse to fork the money out towards the cost of repair).
Many Thanks

they should have insurance to cover damages at a guess? they've admitted fault so they should pay for it. never trust anyone to wash your car

Personally and I might get flames for this but I'd agree with your neighbor.
Glue it back in place and trade it in.
If they catch u they will just drop to the value of fixing it.
Then claim that back from the car wash place and avoid using your insurance. You don't want a claim just for that especially because of your excess. You will be stung with a higher insurance the following year so it not worth it.

Just personally

What a shame I would have thought the car wash company should have insurance cover for this, as it was their fault ...hope so.

Just hit it with an iron bar and put a crack in it. Claim for stone damage: only £60.

I know, I'm a bad person. The car wash people did it; they should pay. But can you be bothered?

Ulpian said:

Just hit it with an iron bar and put a crack in it. Claim for stone damage: only £60.

I know, I'm a bad person. The car wash people did it; they should pay. But can you be bothered?

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I agree. I was once advised that if I ever lock my keys in a car (which isn't so easy these days) I should break the windscreen to get in, rather than side glass. Most comprehensive cover should usually have a lower excess for a windscreen than other damage e.g. door glass. Check your policy first of all though, and don't blame me if you get caught in the act!

For the amount I would never consider a claim as it potentially pushes up the next premium as well & as someone has already admitted its their fault you should not even consider having to claim.

You have already contacted the Insurance co so the windscreen suddenly breaking isnt an option as they already know, changing the story now lays you open to fraud charges, a lot worse.

The dealer will almost certainly spot it if it looks a bodge

The call to the Insurance co was for screen & mirror. Read your policy carefully, does it specify what type of breakages are covered. Mine just says windscreen claims with no description as to how they have to be caused & I also have a seperate number to ring for windscreen claims. If yours is the same then claim for the screen only, then look at sorting the mirror if you even have to seperately. Theres a good chance you can re use the old one, the windscreen company may have a way of getting it off the glass although the glue may have made this difficult / impossible. When they replace screens they have to remove & replace bonded mirrors so may have a trick or two. If it has to be a new mirror & they are pricey try the breakers yard.

If you can wait for a few days contact the car wash company & try to speak to someone at the top, if its a franchise get the owner. Explain the problem again & that their operatives admitted that they caused it & discuss it with them, see if they will do the job or get them to agree to cover your costs. Its better if they pay as it saves you having to reclaim the money.

Dont go in all guns blazing, you often find an agreement is easier to reach if they see you as being reosnable. Point out that the damaged screen makes the car unroadworthy, it wouldnt pass an MOT therefore its illegal to drive, you have made a temporary repair & you are "being reosnable" by limiting the costs & would expect them to cover you. If you need more amo say you have been advised that you are entitled to rent a car at their expense until they have repaired the car as you can not drive an illegal car & sue them for the full amount. Even the glued area technically makes the car illegal.

If you have used them before remember the "I always use you & until know your service has been excelent line" buttering up the oposition can sometimes soften them

And remember the guy who did it probably didnt intend to do it & was decent enough to admit liability before you saw the car, hes a bloke like all of us with a job to keep & we all have fcuk ups so whilst hes wrong no need to crucify him initially

It's windscreen is damaged so regardless of how it happened, it has weakened the screen and by the sounds of it can't be just repaired. It should just be your standard windscreen excess £60 or whatever. Just phone the windscreen company your insurance company uses and get it booked in. Then get the £60 back off the car wash people.

You don't need to claim as a accident using your excess and you need to make sure they put down that it is only a windscreen claim.

Lesson learned, always wash/valet the car yourself

I learned my lesson with my last 500, when they put a massive scratch on the roof of my car with one of those squeegee things

Si

Windscreen excess is usually 50 or 60 quid. Then you'll need a new mirror - I'd just buy that from Fiat yourself.

My Marea got keyed about 3 days from the end of a 7 day ebay auction. I already had bids so bit the bullet and paid £150 to have the damage re-sprayed.

Ulpian said:

Just hit it with an iron bar and put a crack in it. Claim for stone damage: only £60.

I know, I'm a bad person. The car wash people did it; they should pay. But can you be bothered?

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sikersh said:

Lesson learned, always wash/valet the car yourself

I learned my lesson with my last 500, when they put a massive scratch on the roof of my car with one of those squeegee things

Si

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I would do this. My cars a 12 year old Bravo and id never let anyone else wash it.

Edit: Forgot to say my gran took her Mitsubishi to a drive in valet place once. I think they basicaly jet washed the interior because it was **** wet through for about 3months. Also all the electric's; seat belt tensioners, clock, radio windows. Everything was broken!

'Valetting' company, and i use that word lightly, will have their own insurance - this has nothign to do with your own insurance company. Go back to the company and ask them politely to rectify their errors. They'll call national windscreens or an equivalent and have the screen replaced at their expense at a place and time convenient to you.

Well I rang the Car Park Valeting company head office, got given a few numbers andin the end I spoke to the regional manager. He was so gracious and apologetic and has offered to pay for the repair of the windscreen. Result

So my insurance company are going to send someone round to repair the windscreen. The excess is £60, but I'll forward this and any other invoices to the car wash company.

The car wash company do have insurance, but have an excess of £1000. So the cost of the repairs will have to come straight out of their pocket!!!

Thankyou to those that have advised me on what to do. It did cross my mind to pick up a hammer and give the windscreen a good wack, but the little angel on my shoulder was giving me the :nono:.

What I have learnt from this experience is always keep your calm and be polite and understanding no matter the circumstances. (I sound like Jerry Springer).

Abarth500 Joe said:

Well I rang the Car Park Valeting company head office, got given a few numbers andin the end I spoke to the regional manager. He was so gracious and apologetic and has offered to pay for the repair of the windscreen. Result

So my insurance company are going to send someone round to repair the windscreen. The excess is £60, but I'll forward this and any other invoices to the car wash company.

The car wash company do have insurance, but have an excess of £1000. So the cost of the repairs will have to come straight out of their pocket!!!

Thankyou to those that have advised me on what to do. It did cross my mind to pick up a hammer and give the windscreen a good wack, but the little angel on my shoulder was giving me the :nono:.

What I have learnt from this experience is always keep your calm and be polite and understanding no matter the circumstances. (I sound like Jerry Springer).

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Windscreen claim excess (£60) should not effect your no-claims bonus. Might want to ensure it doesn't.

Hellcat said:

Windscreen claim excess (£60) should not effect your no-claims bonus. Might want to ensure it doesn't.

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You're quite right. It doesn't affect my no claim bonus.

Glad your getting it sorted

sikersh said:

Glad your getting it sorted

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Cheers mate

Thats great news ...so pleased for you