Yaris 1, Punto 0

[Cyker]

Was involved in a collision on Thursday with a Royal Mail van and a Punto!

Me and the Royal Mail van were stationary, waiting for a lorry to clear when suddenly HONK! CRASH! BANG!

Punto has slammed into back of Royal Mail van which was then punted into me!

Punto: Probably written off

Royal Mail van: Minimal damage

Yaris: Minimal damage

This is the value of a quality car ;)

Do need to get the rear bumper checked as it's now 1cm closer to the rear wheels than it used to be at its closest point, but looks like it was just rotated slightly by the collision.

Want to get the brakes checked too as my handbrake was on when I got punted (Gave them a test on the way home last night; Still has that sharp braking force the Yaris is known for but the initial engagement somehow feels a bit spongier than I remember; Not sure if that is my imagination or not tho'!)

Main annoyance is the insurance; Only rang to report it but they're processing it as a full claim so now I am on the rollercoaster ride of people calling me up to book in hire cars and repairs and "Have you been injured sir?"! Ugh.

How does this work? I didn't actually want to claim originally as the damage is almost nonexistant but now I'm probably going to be without my beloved Yaris for 2 or more days and have my premium go up as a result of this; Can you cancel claims to negate that? Or is it once you report it you're going to get shafted next renewal anyway so you may as well go through with the claim?

Plus the hire car company gave me a choice between a Corsa and a friggin' Punto! Talk about irony...

I've told them all to put everything on hold until the excess gets waived but man... first time experience of dealing with an insurance company aside from renewal has been a whirlwind!

What was your first time like?

[Geoff Peace]

Was involved in a collision on Thursday with a Royal Mail van and a Punto!

Me and the Royal Mail van were stationary, waiting for a lorry to clear when suddenly HONK! CRASH! BANG!

Punto has slammed into back of Royal Mail van which was then punted into me!

Punto: Probably written off

Royal Mail van: Minimal damage

Yaris: Minimal damage

This is the value of a quality car ;)

Do need to get the rear bumper checked as it's now 1cm closer to the rear wheels than it used to be at its closest point, but looks like it was just rotated slightly by the collision.

Want to get the brakes checked too as my handbrake was on when I got punted (Gave them a test on the way home last night; Still has that sharp braking force the Yaris is known for but the initial engagement somehow feels a bit spongier than I remember; Not sure if that is my imagination or not tho'!)

Main annoyance is the insurance; Only rang to report it but they're processing it as a full claim so now I am on the rollercoaster ride of people calling me up to book in hire cars and repairs and "Have you been injured sir?"! Ugh.

How does this work? I didn't actually want to claim originally as the damage is almost nonexistant but now I'm probably going to be without my beloved Yaris for 2 or more days and have my premium go up as a result of this; Can you cancel claims to negate that? Or is it once you report it you're going to get shafted next renewal anyway so you may as well go through with the claim?

Plus the hire car company gave me a choice between a Corsa and a friggin' Punto! Talk about irony...

I've told them all to put everything on hold until the excess gets waived but man... first time experience of dealing with an insurance company aside from renewal has been a whirlwind!

What was your first time like?

I would be extremely way of this. There are many cases of claims being put into the hands of 'Accident management companies' who offer to arrange a hire car, collect your car, ensure it is repaired correctly etc. If they cannot recover the hire cost from the third party involved you are liable to pay the bill. There are cases of repairs being delayed to increase the hire charges etc. It is as well to remember these companies have to make a profit for obvious reasons, they are not in business to do favours for you, me or anyone else, the money has to come from somewhere, I am sure you can guess where. If you go to the Honest John website there is more information. The golden rule is, If it looks to good to be true then it usually is.

Regards Geoff Peace.

[Cyker]

Well at the moment it seems I have been passed to the insurance company's nearest approved hire car and repairers and *I* have to organize when and what is repaired!

In theory I shouldn't have to pay anything (Aside from the increased premiums! *sigh*) as the other party already admitted liability; I'm just waiting for my insurance people to get confirmation fro his before I authorize anything so I don't have to pay any excess!

[Geoff Peace]

Well at the moment it seems I have been passed to the insurance company's nearest approved hire car and repairers and *I* have to organize when and what is repaired!

In theory I shouldn't have to pay anything (Aside from the increased premiums! *sigh*) as the other party already admitted liability; I'm just waiting for my insurance people to get confirmation fro his before I authorize anything so I don't have to pay any excess!

I think the operative words you used are 'in theory' In theory, theory and practice are the same, in practice they are not! Good Luck with your claim though, I hope you do not get stung for too much.

Regards Geoff Peace.

[Red Yaris 54]

Well at the moment it seems I have been passed to the insurance company's nearest approved hire car and repairers and *I* have to organize when and what is repaired!

In theory I shouldn't have to pay anything (Aside from the increased premiums! *sigh*) as the other party already admitted liability; I'm just waiting for my insurance people to get confirmation fro his before I authorize anything so I don't have to pay any excess!

Excess is normally payable regardless of who is to blame. (On collection of your repaired vehicle)

It can sometimes be recovered if you are the innocent party but usually only if you have paid an "uninsured losses" premium with your insurance

Good luck for a speedy settlement :)

[Cyker]

Woo! Excess waived!

However, I've now been told because I'm not paying the excess I have to get a pro-format invoice for the repairs from whoever so they can submit it to the other guy's insurance. (Is this normal? I would have thought they'd want their own people to do an estimate??)

Anyway, went to my local Mr T since my travelling mech doesn't do bodywork and got a quote; Quote came back just shy of £1000 which was split roughly equally for parts, labour and painting (??).

I was like when I read that. I'm so glad I'm not having to stump up for that!!!!!!!!!

I think I may try and see if they'll allow it to be repaired it at the Mr T's rather than the insurance place so I can try and get a Yaris Hybrid or GT86 (Haha) as a hire car rather than the £$*%£& Corsa/Punto alternative I was offered!

[Cyker]

Hrmph, apparently I could opt to use Mr T for the repairs but then I have to pay the excess because they only recover it if repairs are done by their approved garage? Waaaa...?

[Geoff Peace]

Hrmph, apparently I could opt to use Mr T for the repairs but then I have to pay the excess because they only recover it if repairs are done by their approved garage? Waaaa...?

An approved repairer simply means a bodyshop which has accepted rock bottom labour rates from the insurer in exchange for a reasonably steady supply of work.

Regards Geoff Peace