Insisting on new panels for insurance claim?

[5pot]

Hi all,

So, about three weeks ago, some a****** sideswiped my car while the girlfriend was driving and then took off down a sidestreet before she could get a registration number. So, i have to foot the insurance bill.

My biggest mistake is taking out an insurance policy that says I can't use a repairer of my choice (AAMI). I'll not be doing that again.

Now, the recommended repairer for AAMI in an area near where I work will only repair the door panels with body filler, etc which I am not fond of and I want them to put new panels on the car. However, apparently the rules with the insurance company are that they cannot do so because the car is too old.

Is it OK for me to insist that the insurance company pay for new panels?? I mean, I want my car to be back the way it was before the accident, not just look like it is.

I'm getting a couple of other quotes from other places to try and get new panels but I'm wondering what members of this forum reckon of my chances.

Thanks in advance.

[Umai Naa!!]

As far as the doors are concerned, the outer skin just bolts on. Way cheaper than replacing a whole door.

I'd be insisting new parts, too. It's not like the car is that old that new parts no longer exist.

[Guy_H]

That is AAMI for you, they are notorious for this but it is in their policy. When we ran our wrecking yard, they would source used parts to be put on near brand new cars.

You always have to read the PDS. Most insurance companies are the same UNTIL you make a claim, that's where you find the difference.

[Candyman]

As far as the doors are concerned, the outer skin just bolts on. Way cheaper than replacing a whole door.

I'd be insisting new parts, too. It's not like the car is that old that new parts no longer exist.

New skins are usually a lot cheaper repair option than filling damaged ones !

Is this repairer for real ?

[5pot]

New skins are usually a lot cheaper repair option than filling damaged ones !

Is this repairer for real ?

Apparently. They definitely weren't happy about telling me that either. The lady on the phone slammed the phone down without even so much as a goodbye.

Needless to say, I won't be going there for any work, if I can help it at all...

I'll have to make a call to the insurance company, I think, and postpone my appointment at the assessment centre.

[Candyman]

Apparently. They definitely weren't happy about telling me that either. The lady on the phone slammed the phone down without even so much as a goodbye.

Needless to say, I won't be going there for any work, if I can help it at all...

I'll have to make a call to the insurance company, I think, and postpone my appointment at the assessment centre.

We had to get the daughters car repaired a while back and I asked if they would bog it up or use a new skin.

The repairer said it was much cheaper for them to use a new skin. Labour costs associated with filling it etc were too high versus a replacement. They said they always go for replacement rather than repair (better for the client as well)

We have choice of repairer.

Good luck with it.

[Tom87]

Hi, with AAMI you don't have any choice in the matter as your car is obviously more than 3 yrs old. I no longer insure with them and this is one of the reasons.

What you do have is an opportunity to change how the repairer handles your repair. If you have a chat to the assigned repairer they will usually do what you'd like them to do if you subsidise the cost of the replacement new genuine parts.



As far as who is fleecing who usually it is you and the repairer standing side by side, bent over and holding onto your ankles while the insurance company dictates what is going to happen.

[maclean_cherry]

I'm 99% sure that my AAMI policy stipulates I can submit my own quote from my choice of repairer and they will then use the moat complete/best price.

If it really is cheaper to use new skins surely your private quote would then be the most complete at a better price?

MC

[5pot]

The problem I'm having is my preferred repairer won't provide a quote until they've seen a like-for-like quote from the AAMI preferred repairer.

The AAMI preferred repairer refuses to give me a quote for replacing the door skins, they are only going to give me a quote for dent pulling and body filler.

I'm just not convinced that they can do a decent job spending four hours on the doors to pull dents, fill out the dips, sand down, prime and paint it! I can't imagine that will be a good job at all!

[Martin]

You're fighting a lost cause

You are obviously a car enthusiast and perfectionist - but you're not insured to that level

the recommended repairer for AAMI in an area near where I work will only repair the door panels with body filler, etc which I am not fond of and I want them to put new panels on the car.

That's how cars are repaired - it works fine
Putting new skins on an old car is not "like for like" - it's what an enthusiast would do
The AAMI repairer won't give you a quote for new skins as that's a waste of his time - it won't be approved

The problem I'm having is my preferred repairer won't provide a quote until they've seen a like-for-like quote from the AAMI preferred repairer.

Your preferred repaired wants to charge as much as possible (rather than what's actually involved in the job) - integrity problem, go elsewhere

Take the quote for the pull and bog job
Get a quote for a re-skin
You pay the difference

[JustCruisn]

Take the quote for the pull and bog job
Get a quote for a re-skin
You pay the difference

Hopefully the difference is small and less than what you saved by choosing a AAMI.
For what its worth youi are cheap but have choice of repairer.

[maclean_cherry]

The problem I'm having is my preferred repairer won't provide a quote until they've seen a like-for-like quote from the AAMI preferred repairer.

Your preferred repairer is looking to make the most money out of your insurer rather than just look after you. Find a better repairer.

[Martin]

For what its worth youi are cheap but have choice of repairer.

Not always - AAMI were $640 for my car, Youi were $1,800
I took that to mean they didn't want to insure my car, I just hung up, didn't even say goodbye

[5pot]

Thanks all,

I did think that trying to do what I wanted was a bit of an uphill battle.

It's been relegated to the too hard basket and I'm going to make use of their valet service.

Body filler is perfectly fine, really. I've just seen some pretty shocking work on other peoples' cars that has me quite apprehensive.

I think a new insurer might be on the cards for next year...

[5pot]

FYI, my insurance is costing me a tad over $1000. 26y.o. in 3011. '05 Golf 2.0 TDI.

I think Youi wanted close to 2k for my car. Should have stuck with RACV I think.