Accident repair help needed (VIC)

Austin 316 on 19/08/2014 - 08:17
Last edited 19/08/2014 - 10:20

I had an accident a few weeks ago where a P plater just pulled out in front of me from a STOP sign and my car was badly damaged from the front. Fortunately I had insurance which sorted things out and I got my car repaired at no cost to me. The other driver didn't have any insurance so I had to make the claim through my insurance provider and they didn't charge any excess to me.

All good up to now. I got my car back from the repairer looking new and shiny but after 2/3 days I noticed that the driver side window's auto up and down feature doesn't work any more. Everything was in perfect working condition before the accident so I called the repairer about this and now he says that he cannot fix it as part of the insurance repair as it is not possible that the accident has damaged this switch. Basically, since he got all of his money from the insurance now, he will have to fix this for free and so he is not agreeing and arguing with me that this switch has failed after the accident.

I need some advice on what I can do now. Should I contact the insurance company again? Please guide me.

Thanks.

Automotive

Comments

  • Shadow54 on 19/08/2014 - 09:42
    +2

    Time to do some phoning….Start with insurance company; if no joy try either Insurance Ombudsman or Small Claims Tribunal or Consumer Affairs (depending on your state). If no joy expose the repairer and insurance company through forums such as OB.

    • kwaker on 19/08/2014 - 10:45

      Exactly as shadow said, also if it ends in the tribunal you will need some proof to your claim so you should go to another repairer and have them verify if it was caused by the accident or not, if they agree with you then you could send this to the insurer to back up your claim

  • kwaker on 19/08/2014 - 10:53
    -1

    I think you might have trouble if its 2-3 days later, however repairs do include some level of warranty

    Look back on this and learn for next time to prevent it happening again, its just not worth the hassle of an accident and you only ever lose, you don't gain money.

    P means provisional - that means they are still learning and you should still give them a wide berth. Its up to you to watch out of potential hazards

    Too many people act like P platers are bad guys and should be held responsible for everything and blame them for everything, Just because you had right of way doesn't mean you were right.

    • jdf on 19/08/2014 - 11:17

      It's not just the P platers who dash out from STOP signs but full licencee's as well. Downright dangerous when you are doing 80 on a highway and they decide to dash out barely 50m in front of you and then take their time to accelerate.

    • Austin 316 on 19/08/2014 - 11:55

      Well, I have been driving for 10 years in Aus and this was my 1st accident. I was travelling at 60 on a straight road and she was waiting at a STOP sign to turn right and merge in the lane travelling in my opposite direction.

      She didn't see me coming at all and just entered my lane. Luckily I veered slightly to the right and ended up hitting the front right corner of her car. Her air bag also came out so it was pretty serious and if I had not turned right, I could have hit the driver side of her car. Don't even tell me what the outcome of that would be. Also, my wife had just given birth to our son that morning and I had our other kid with me in the car, so I was very careful while driving.

      I was right in every way and I don't want to argue on that. No matter how careful you are, sometimes its not in your hand.

    • blitz on 19/08/2014 - 15:16

      Just because you had right of way doesn't mean you were right.

      Er…did you read the post? The P plater pulled out from a stop sign onto a continuing road. OP is definitely in the right. And had right of way.

  • Cheeper on 19/08/2014 - 10:57

    Yes, contact the insurance co.
    Was the accident damage in the area of that door?
    It may not be something covered by the repair warranty but it wont cost you anything to ask.

    If they say no then your local auto electrician should be able to sort it out.

  • smpantsonfire on 19/08/2014 - 14:58
    -2

    First world problems.

    Even calling the Insurance company of Ombudsman, it is going to ridiculously hard trying to prove it was a result of the accident and not just wear and tear.

    Stop complaining, man up buy a switch and replace it, instead of trying to link two unrelated happenings and just put it down as strange coincidence.

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