Parked Car Accident + Insurance Repair Options VIC

ayad on 14/12/2020 - 12:22

Hi, hope you're well.

VW GOLF 110TSI RLINE 2017 (VICTORIA)

Someone backed into my parked car yesterday - they were honest and nice about it - and advised my to get 2 quotes to fix the car right away. It's my first time being involved in an accident and I have warranty and full comp insurance. They lady who hit my car seems willing to pay for it but I am not sure if I should or have to go through my insurance? I spoke to Essendon Panel Beaters and they seemed quite good. I am looking for advice on how to handle this issue and if I go the route of excluding insurance, where is the best place to go to ensure quality repair with genuine parts?

I have uploaded to imgur https://imgur.com/Ck7k22v I hope it works.

Thank you in advance!

Automotive

Comments

  • Muzeeb on 14/12/2020 - 12:26
    +9

    Just go through your insurance. That's what you pay them for. It will be a lot less stressful.

    • ayad on 14/12/2020 - 12:51

      i've been getting conflicting information. I called Essendon Panel Beaters and they said I don't need to go to my insurance and that it's the person at fault that makes the claim? Will there be any cons with going through my insurance?

      • Ughhh on 14/12/2020 - 13:10

        You can do either, there's no wrong or right way.

        They're right that you don't need to go through your insurance, you can have your car repaired through their insurance. But you're relying on them being honest and decent (ie. wont drag this out and waste your time).

        If you have comprehensive, as long as you have the other parties details, you wont have to talk to them ever again. Repairs also have lifetime guarantees (see pds). However, it may affect your premium renewals (note: may). If you ever have to change insurer, there's a chance the new insurer may ask if you've ever made a claim- at fault and not at fault. You can't lie about this and this may affect your premiums.

        • ayad on 14/12/2020 - 13:13

          Ughhh… that seems a bit unfair considering my car was literally parked and someone hit it. I am with ING insurance if that helps?

          • Ughhh on 14/12/2020 - 13:16
            +1

            @ayad: You should take this opportunity to read your pds.

            • ayad on 14/12/2020 - 13:17

              @Ughhh: oh it says I have a choice or Repairer. Any top recommendations xD?

  • Godric on 14/12/2020 - 12:38
    +1

    Don't stress your self out, you have their details go through your insurance

    • ayad on 14/12/2020 - 12:53

      Yeah this is what I think I'm gonna do. I feel a bit bad because the person is nice so I hope it doesn't negatively impact them too much. or me? increased premium?

      • Godric on 14/12/2020 - 12:55
        +2

        Generally not at fault claims do not have any impact on your premiums/excess,

        For the at fault, well likely but shouldn't be your burden

        • ayad on 14/12/2020 - 12:56

          should I know/keep anything in mind before making this claim?

          • Godric on 14/12/2020 - 13:03

            @ayad: Not really just have the details with you to provide to the claims consultant and your version of the accident

            • ayad on 14/12/2020 - 13:13

              @Godric: thank you for your help!!

  • pinchies on 14/12/2020 - 12:49

    Looks like about a $1100-1300 fix, depending on metallic paint etc.

    Call up your local VW dealer and ask where they recommend for smash repair.

    • ayad on 14/12/2020 - 12:52

      I called them and they said there's no VW recommended smash repair companies

      • pinchies on 14/12/2020 - 12:56

        This seems like obvious advice to me but anyway:
        1. Look for well reviewed VW specialist smash repairers
        2. Call them up and ask them if they use genuine parts.

        • perhaps on 14/12/2020 - 13:23
          +3

          I can recommend Zagame Autobody in Vic

          • pinchies on 14/12/2020 - 13:36
            +2

            @perhaps: I would also recommend Amex Autobody in Heidelberg.

          • bobbified on 14/12/2020 - 17:37
            +1

            @perhaps: Is this the same Zagame that owns a whole range of different brand dealerships? If it is, I'm assuming they do specific brand-approved work. I would be expecting to pay a premium though (if I had to pay for it out of my own pocket).

            I use their dealer service centres and they've been good so far.

            • perhaps on 14/12/2020 - 20:55
              +1

              @bobbified: Yeah It's the same group as the dealerships. And your right it was quite a bit more to take it to them (organised thru insurance) but they did an amazing job, car came out OEM spec if not better.

        • ryan1jz on 14/12/2020 - 14:57

          No VW experience, but South Melbourne Smash Repairs, 75 Market St, South Melbourne VIC 3205. (03) 9690 6806.

          Had a lot of exotics in there, and took my 86 there when I got rear ended. Can recommend the experience.

      • Pro-crastinator on 16/12/2020 - 00:11
        +1

        Last time I looked - the VW website listed a few repairers as being approved?

        Either way, I would highly recommend Charlie Battisti in Nunawading, or Amex Autobody in Heidelberg (both specialise in VW)

        You have choice of repairer - and going through their insurance will also get you a hire car during the repair process.

  • nubzy on 14/12/2020 - 12:54
    +2

    Go through insurance. Dealing with panel beaters is an absolute nightmare and there is so much that can go wrong. That's a nice colour and a recent car, it's a shame when you scratch/dent them because you can never get them to look as good as factory again. I went through insurance for a repair and it was a nightmare, but they have to keep redoing the job until you're happy. Wont be perfect, but should be close enough to be acceptable.

    • ayad on 14/12/2020 - 12:55

      that's good to know that it's not a one time fix - it has be close to perfect as it will have an affect when I'm trying to sell the car. Yeah it really sucks :(

  • kerfuffle on 14/12/2020 - 12:58
    +3

    Go through insurance; that's why you pay for comprehensive insurance - so you don't have to put much effort in getting your car fixed like getting quotes

    • ayad on 14/12/2020 - 13:01

      What should I tell the person that hit my car in response to their request to provide 2 quotes which they are happy to pay for?

      • kerfuffle on 14/12/2020 - 13:02

        That your insurance company will get in touch with them.

        • ayad on 14/12/2020 - 13:02

          I just need their licence details right?

          • kerfuffle on 14/12/2020 - 13:04
            +2

            @ayad: You also need their address and contact number, otherwise how is the insurance company going to contact them?

  • uncompressed on 14/12/2020 - 13:35

    I was in a similar situation. If she has admitted fault and lodged a claim with her insurer, get the claim number, then approach your repairer of choice for a quote before submitting it to her insurer.

    I tried claiming with my own insurer but was being pushed around to get cheaper quotes for the repair.

  • dasher86 on 14/12/2020 - 14:14
    +3

    looks like damage to the alloys as well?

    • Muzeeb on 14/12/2020 - 14:38

      Good pickup. May need new alloy, rebalancing and possible wheel alignment if it copped a big enough hit.

  • tsunamisurfer on 14/12/2020 - 14:35

    Go through your own insurance.

    If the repairs go wrong or are insufficient, you don't need to go back to the other party or their insurance, you go through your own.

  • Euphemistic on 15/12/2020 - 09:31

    You have options.

    The simplest is to use your own insurance. Full warranty on repairs, no hassle but potential increases to insurance premiums as your risk profile has been increased by being involved in an incident.

    The cheapest (for both parties) is to have the car repaired outside insurance and pay with a bag of coins, also the most work and the most risky. There is potential for the other party to refuse to pay and potentially the panel beaters could do a substandard job and you’ll have a hard time getting not fixed.

    The middle ground is for you to go direct to the other persons insurer and collect enough cash to get a cash job done. Ie get a quote and recurve that value from their insurer. Little bit more work, little bit more risk but no risk of your insurer profile being increased for risk and therefore premiums.

  • OzHunterNSW on 15/12/2020 - 09:52

    You get three (3) quotes, take copies, send off to other person. They are then to pay you in full the lesser amount.
    You include a timeframe, fourteen day (14) in which to respond and provide a cheque to the stated amount, OR… you place the entire matter in your insurer's hand, which will COST YOU a lot more.

  • Legoncy on 15/12/2020 - 11:02

    Hi There,

    I have experience in this regard due to work - you have two options you can:

    A) Inform the individual to open a claim and use their claim to repair - the panel beater will support this option as they can maybe make some money on the not at fault hire vehicle.

    B) Open a claim yourself and the insurance will chase up the individual who hit you and then after all that the at fault will probably open a claim.(advantage of this option you arent waiting on anything)

    The at fault party told you to get two quotes - this sounds like they may want to know how much the repairs would be BEFORE having to open an insurance claim, this could be cause their excess is high etc.

    Its up to you which path you take, you could simply contact the person and ask if they intend to use insurance or not.

    Were based in Keysborough VIC and are panel beaters if you need any help let me know.

    Goodluck.

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