[IceMan007]

Guy opposite my parents house, decides to reverse his Kia into my car and does this.

He immediately admitted liability and we've informed insurance.

I have an option to allow his insurance to handle it and provide me a courtesy car (like for like, apparently) or pay the excess and get my preferred workshop to do it.

For the latter, my ins comp would front the costs and recover.

Can anyone advise on the work involved, what to be mindful of and their thoughts?

If using 3rd party's workshop, it would go to http://www.hodsonford.co.uk/arepair.html





upload a picture online

[BMW Steve]

I would have said a couple of choice words,,, But at least he owned up

I take it the door has not been touched, either way you should let your insurance deal with his insurance but you can request that it go's to your preferred repairer

Another option is, take it to your preferred body shop and get them to deal with the insurance company's. Save you a lot of hassle and time.

[bishbosh]

Bummer!

I had something similar but it was on a rear door, ended up with a new door. In this instance though it looks like quite a large area has been dented, don't know if it can be beaten back into shape or if a near rear quarter is required. More knowledgeable folk will know for sure.

[Thermobaric]

Not your fault so I'd want BMW to sort it really.

[Chappers 71]

To replace rear 1/4 is a fair sized job
Alternatively it may be able to be pulled out & filled.
How old & what mileage is it? Depending on value it may even be a write off
Btw nice slippers

[Rudz]

let BMW accident management manage this for u mate, u will get a nice car and work will be done in a BMW bodyshop. Excess on courtesy car will be zero as well , which is great as in a similar situation grit caused windscreen to crack on a courtesy car that I was given and I was charged a ridiculous amount

[villieb]

do you have to be customer with BMW accident management for their services?

[IceMan007]

Originally Posted by villieb

do you have to be customer with BMW accident management for their services?

Hmm, ok. Got a web link?

[IceMan007]

Originally Posted by Chappers 71

How old & what mileage is it? Depending on value it may even be a write off

56 plate, 80K miles

[Chappers 71]

personaly I'd have taken it to a body shop to get an idea of the extent of the repair before notifying insurance, just to get an idea of the likely cost. Now you've notified them it would most likely be less inconvenience to let your insurance take care of it. They'll claim back off the Kia drivers insurance company. unfortunately even as a non fault claim it will most likely increase your premium.

If the 1/4 panel does need replacing the cost of getting that done by bmw would probably make for an uneconomical repair as that's a big panel.
You may be lucky & it might pull out & be able to be filled.
Anyways you won't know until the insurance assessor has a look.

Have you taken it to a body shop?
It's a real shit when something like this happens at no fault of your own

[djgandy]

Go through his insurance - you don't want middle men in this process. Your insurance may just hand you off the an accident claims company (they get comission for this) which will cause you no end of pain.

1. Talk to his insurance
2. See what they offer, they may use BMW anyway.
3. Insist on BMW repairing it if its more than just pulling it out.

If that doesn't pull out and they have to replace its a big job for sure and a lot of blending of panels to be done also.

[Rudz]

Originally Posted by villieb

do you have to be customer with BMW accident management for their services?

No, just talk to the body shop at your local dealership, they will take care

[ComputerKnowHow]

Hang on, so the Kia driver was at fault and admitted liability? Then their insurer have an obligation to make it right at no cost to you.

You have a right to choose your own repairer even though it's not your insurance paying; the entire claim is being paid by the Kia driver's insurer. You should also be given a courtesy car although it may depend on your chosen repairer.

I was in a similar situation recently when I insisted Sytner BMW repaired my vehicle. As soon as the insurance authorised the work to proceed (new bonnet, bumper, fog lights, painting) Sytner offered a courtesy car free of charge to me for the length of repair but wouldn't provide one until the authorisation had been given.

I'd always check the body shop is a member of the BVRA and you might like to check

http://www.motorclaimguru.co.uk/your...-consumer.html

I don't see why you'd claim on your own insurance when the other driver is clearly identifiable and admitted liability. Or am I missing something really obvious? :

[IceMan007]

Originally Posted by ComputerKnowHow

I don't see why you'd claim on your own insurance when the other driver is clearly identifiable and admitted liability. Or am I missing something really obvious?

My insurance (Admiral) have said that if I want to go through a bodyshop of my choosing, they would front the costs and recover from the third party insurance.

But I would need to pay excess, because in effect, I am claiming off of my own insurance. The excess would eventually be given back to me.

They then said, if i wanted to claim through 3rd party, they handed me off to a claims company called Auxillis who gave me a list of approved shops in my area. One of which, is http://www.hodsonford.co.uk/arepair.html

They gave me a ref number as I told them I want to think about how I handle this.

Now, I would like BMW to manage the repair. Do I contact BMW Accident Management via my local dealership? Or can I insist to Admiral or 3rd party ins that I want BMW to carry out the repair?

[djgandy]

Originally Posted by IceMan007

My insurance (Admiral) have said that if I want to go through a bodyshop of my choosing, they would front the costs and recover from the third party insurance.

But I would need to pay excess, because in effect, I am claiming off of my own insurance. The excess would eventually be given back to me.

They then said, if i wanted to claim through 3rd party, they handed me off to a claims company called Auxillis who gave me a list of approved shops in my area. One of which, is http://www.hodsonford.co.uk/arepair.html

They gave me a ref number as I told them I want to think about how I handle this.

Now, I would like BMW to manage the repair. Do I contact BMW Accident Management via my local dealership? Or can I insist to Admiral or 3rd party ins that I want BMW to carry out the repair?

As I said, ring the other guys insurer and speak to them. 99% likely they will agree to your terms and try and sort you out as it saves them a lot of hassle. BMW bodyshop rates aren't that outrageous compared to what accident management companies try and rack up.

The first thing the accident management company will do is get you to sign a credit agreement and try and put you in a ridiculously over priced hire car and then try and charge all this to the insurer.

You don't need middle men racking up costs in this.

If they wont play ball then you need to consider other options. If the person has admitted liability to his own insurer (check that when you phone) then you are already on top.

FYI Auxillis used to be called "Albany Assistance". A quick Google will tell you why they had to change their name!

[08njSTEP]

I would expect the 1/4 panel will be replaced. So make sure it's replaced with new(not used) BMW part. When it's delivered check the area above the rear window for quality of repair(straight and correct). Also check the rocker area for paint finish(open clear blend will look rough and uneven). You should expect the door and decklid will be color blended. A good shop will also blend rocker. There is no reason why this repair shouldn't be undetectable.

[IceMan007]

Originally Posted by 08njSTEP

There is no reason why this repair shouldn't be undetectable

Triple negative!! Brain freeze!

[Chappers 71]

Have you had a BMW approved body shop look at it yet, just to get an idea of cost?
I could be wrong but I suspect that if it's a new 1/4 panel it'll be a write off. No offence but a 2007 335d book value is most likely only around 6k

[Thermobaric]

You could argue actual value is more than book. Certainly seems that way looking at autotrader.

[IceMan007]

Originally Posted by Chappers 71

Have you had a BMW approved body shop look at it yet, just to get an idea of cost?
I could be wrong but I suspect that if it's a new 1/4 panel it'll be a write off. No offence but a 2007 335d book value is most likely only around 6k

Contacted BMW Accident Management who are actually http://www.bristolandlondon.com/.

They are now getting details from third party prior to assessor coming out to look at the car.

[Chappers 71]

Keep us updated. Hope it gets sorted with minimum of aggravation

[08njSTEP]

Originally Posted by IceMan007

Triple negative!! Brain freeze!

Originally it was only a double negative, so I edit for the trifecta.