General Screeeeeeeech, beeeeeeeeep, crash!

[Karmic_Nomad]

Hello all
Long time no post.
Hope everyone is cool.

Yesterday someone thought they would test if that old tradition of giving way to the right on roundabouts is really current for the 21st Centuary? Well it turns out the practice is still relevant and quite important. My crumpled wing, detatched bumber and the huge gash out of her K.A were pretty conclusive evidence that driving solely by the power of 'The Force' only really works when attacking large space stations. But you have to admire her pioneering spirit.

Anyway, I have no idea if he is going to make it but either way I have to think about insurance now.

Any idea what is a good price to settle for? I am guessing the book price for a Panda is probably about 25p but surely we are verging on classic now?
Anyone had any experience with this?
Thanks

Panda Parade 1.0 injection FIRE

 

[Bougainvillea Rosso]

Good to hear from you, sorry it's under such circumstances. Your insurers will most likely tell you that the car is worth nothing. I'm not sure what the condition is like but I'd aim for a value of somewhere between £400 - £500 and be prepared to battle with them tirelessly to get something. Try to collect as much evidence as possible from adverts (not so easy these days at short notice now though). Who knows though, you might be lucky. I've had bad and some not so bad experiences with insurers.

I'd get some advice on the repairs as well. It may not be as costly as it looks if it's just bumper and panel damage. In '05 I had similar damage on the 4x4 (front wing and bumper) and managed to get it repaied with the money I got out of the insurers (eventually).

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Sorry to hear about your recent knock.

As its 3rd partys insurance I'd notify your insurance company of the incident but claim directly from TP's insurer.

Gather lots of info on current values from eBay etc, and remember that as it wasn't your fault they have to put you in the possition you were in before the accident, so if you've recently had any work done to the car its not unreasonable that you claim for it (IE recent service or belt change).

Note also that when claiming from TP insurer directly they have no right of claim to the salvage of your vehicle should they write it off, so if you want to keep the car make them aware of this from the start. Also refuse to hand the car over at any point for accessment etc, tell them they can come and see you in person and do that at their convienience

Jon.

 

[Karmic_Nomad]

Thanks guys
That is really helpful.
I had only beew with my insurance company for about 10hours when it happened.
When I called they passed me straight over to EasiDrive accident management. I am a little weary of them but have sorted out a hire car and all sorts, they are sending a mechanic over Monday to view it on the drive and I am sure they will write it off.
Seems a little too good to be true.

I have had a look with my brother today and with a bit of filler and a big hammer we think we can get it going again.
Thanks again.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Got any pics of the damage? Note that as soon as they write poor Panda off they'll take courtesy car back.

 

[Karmic_Nomad]

Had a proper look and damage is not too bad.
Bumper has come away oneside, wheel arch plastic has popped out (that was what was rubbing when I turned right).
Think the bumper mounts on left side are probably bent, and then ofcourse all of the body work.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Ouch. I think the enevitable write off is only just around the corner

 

[scottyy]

Had a proper look and damage is not too bad.
Bumper has come away oneside, wheel arch plastic has popped out (that was what was rubbing when I turned right).
Think the bumper mounts on left side are probably bent, and then ofcourse all of the body work.

it doesnt look to bad mate new wing or a welder and a slide hammer should do it =]

 

[the stig/130]

my pristine panda(low mileage) has a wing pushed back and the brackets were bent to the drivers side on the bumper, and the lamp/indicator unit was smashed, merc driving woman who thought the sweeping corner was clear! not! previous owner did the lamp, i bought it and re glassed the plastic brackets and straighten the metal brackets and put it back together, sorry to read your car has been pranged by non 21st century moron

 

[a73uk]

Its a nice easy one to repair, but it will get written off (possibly as a "Cat-C" if you`ve got a vindictive asessor). If it is classed as a cat c you will have to have it inspected after its repaired at your local DVLA place, which will cost you & may make it un-insurable with some insurers.

You need to gather as many ads of similar spec, condition & year cars & get ready to argue its value with her insurance company. Oh, also copy all the recent service history, especially any major stuff, which`ll count towards your cars value.

Its not easy to find comparable cars as rare as Panda`s & yours looks pretty mint from that picture. Nice colour by the way, I dont think I`ve ever seen one like it, which`ll make finding a comparable one even more difficult!

Make sure you stipulate you want to keep the car, they will charge you to keep it (usually charging you scrap value) & they`ll deduct that amount from the final settlement cheque.

One issue to be aware of is that once they write it off (which`ll usually be quick) they will want the courtesy car back (as it costs them), so either keep an eye out for a budget runaround while you have her repaired, or start gathering all the parts needed if your doing it yourself (after establishing you`ll definately be able to buy it back after its written off).

 

[dave]

tell them you are quite capable of repairing it your self if they say they want to write it off, say you will take a cash in loo(sp) settlement of their value - scrap value if they dont put a cat on it. if they say no say you will provide evidence that its worth more than their value

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Its a nice easy one to repair, but it will get written off (possibly as a "Cat-C" if you`ve got a vindictive asessor). If it is classed as a cat c you will have to have it inspected after its repaired at your local DVLA place, which will cost you & may make it un-insurable with some insurers.




Make sure you stipulate you want to keep the car, they will charge you to keep it (usually charging you scrap value) & they`ll deduct that amount from the final settlement cheque.

If it it Cat C it'll require a 'vehicle identity check' which basically checks chasis number etc match the car and log-book.

Regarding keeping the car, see my previous post regarding them being able to claim salvage and not.

 

[Karmic_Nomad]

Thanks for all the help and the kind wishes.
There is some really helpful advice I hadn't considered.
The inspector has written it off as un-echonimcal to repair.
But -strangely- they said it is in a driveable condition so they are coming for the hire car tomorrow.
LOL they really didn't hang around.
But I am glad to see the Corsa go, I have been a sweating wreck driving it.
I have been like driving Miss Daisey, and as soon as my toe nail touches the brake pedal the car screeches to an immediate stand still.

 

[Karmic_Nomad]

Looks like £40 - £50 for a VIC check.

 

[a73uk]

Dont worry, if he`s said its just an uneconomical repair it should be classed as a cat D, so you can just carry on driving it as it is with no check (after yanking the wing out so the splash shied doesnt rub any more!).

 

[a73uk]

I just realised, I HAVE seen one in that colour! I caught this on streetview locally a little while ago!

From what I can work out the pictures were done about 2 & 1/2 years ago in my area, unfortunately it had gone when I went looking for it

 

[dave]

Thanks for all the help and the kind wishes.
There is some really helpful advice I hadn't considered.
The inspector has written it off as un-echonimcal to repair.
But -strangely- they said it is in a driveable condition so they are coming for the hire car tomorrow.
LOL they really didn't hang around.
But I am glad to see the Corsa go, I have been a sweating wreck driving it.
I have been like driving Miss Daisey, and as soon as my toe nail touches the brake pedal the car screeches to an immediate stand still.

what cat did he give it?

 

[Karmic_Nomad]

Thanks all
Apparently I have a 'driveable total loss' which is ok.
Which means I am still insured, don't have to do a vic etc.
Am back on the road now.

Inspector reckons they could fix it for £800 (good luck with that) and have said they will claim for £500.
I had replacement indicators in the fiat-box, brackets needed a bit of bending and my brother is making new fixtures for the bumbper.
Will have a go at the body work in the Summer, I am hoping it will pull out or if not my brother said he will stick a new panel in.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Glad to hear that your keeping the ole girl

 

[pandamonius_maximus]

Yaaaaaaay!!!!!:d