Went to Lyden hill to see the rally cross but a great day out was destroyed when I got a phone call from my wife telling me some idiot had reversed into my pride and joy... 15 plate fiesta 140 red edition with 7k on the clock and not a mark on it... Now the whole of the front has been pushed back, small crease in the bonnet cracked near side headlight cracked air box the list goes on.. I am gutted... The guy has apparently admitted liability and contacted his insurance company (budget).. I want it to be put back perfect but can just imagine I am going to have some arguments.. If there are any scratches or any sort of damage I want the parts replaced... Any advice on how to handle this with the insurance companies.. To make it worse I was going to change companies because renewal was expensive and the insurance runs out on the 6th June.... Written all of this but still gutted...

[Edited on 29/5/16 by Dave Bailey]

You could try and explain to your insurance company that the thing is brand new and must go back to ford for repair. Often they will listen to what you have to say, especially if its more expensive as they take a bigger chunk.

I would like to think they will be best at doing a proper job and looking after it without cutting corners.

Cue Main Stealer bashing!

The insurance company will use there registered repairers which maybe ford as for changing insurance it maybe still cheap to do it ,it's just unfortunate timing at least he's insured and excepted it he's fault which should make it easier to sort out . If the cars repaired and your not happy with it just send it back till its correct , these things happen in life I feel your pain I think most of us have been there at least once I'm sure the car will be fine .

Cheers for the comments guys..

Gutted for you mate!

When my xr2i got hit, I sent my car back twice to be sorted. DO NOT sign it off until you are 100% happy with the repair. I also refused to use the repairer they wanted me to. I don't think they were too worried as effectively, they weren't paying for it. I got the car in with a body shop that was 2 miles from me so I could keep an eye on it as such.

That too was my baby. I had just finished putting a tuned 2.0 zetec in it so wanted to make sure they weren't ragging it about! Probably a bit anal but it was my pride and joy after all.

I hope it gets sorted properly for you.

You have the right to manage your own repair - Google FNOL. We used to have 6 body shops in our group and a well known insurance company we did work for wanted an average repair cost off £750!!!! If it could be glued together it was. Choose where you want to have it repaired and make sure they are not tied to your insurance company.

As above, you DO NOT have to use th ecompany the insurer "recommends"

I recently had something similar, and the other persons company were very helpful. Just be clear about what you want and be fair.

I feel your pain. Got sideswiped by a woman who drove off and subsequently refuses to accept responsibility. Will be having to get my mint car put back to mint by my own insurance


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I was advised by an independent garage who did a quote on my Mondeo, when some idiot drove down the o/s in a car park, and caused 5k worth of damage, to use the repair shop that the insurers state,
as my car had more faults with it after repair, than it did before, and had I taken the car to an independent, it would be at my own expense etc to get the damage sorted,

also my insurers (Tesco) would not provide a hire car, if I took it to an independent place

so be wise to to what your insures state,

steve

Coyoteboy I feel your pain.....

Reported it this morning and I have been given an insurance company to go and see tomorrow... It's not the one I wanted to use but I do know they do a lot of work for the main dealers in th area.... Going to go and have a chat with them tomorrow to check it out...

Dave B

You can't let it get to you, just be thankful they've admitted it.

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Originally posted by morcus
You can't let it get to you, just be thankful they've admitted it.

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Originally posted by sdh2903

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Originally posted by morcus
You can't let it get to you, just be thankful they've admitted it.

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This. Although I would be fully prepared for them to come back with a 50/50 offer or worse. Insurance Co's always try to worm they way out of anything.

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Witnesses are the key issue - my insurance company basically said "Although she's admitted to being in that place at that time, there's no proof it was you and her that contacted and without at least one witness, her story of "it must have been someone else and he's mis-ID'd me" is just as valid as yours. See if any neighbours saw anything.

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Originally posted by coyoteboy
Witnesses are the key issue - my insurance company basically said "Although she's admitted to being in that place at that time, there's no proof it was you and her that contacted and without at least one witness, her story of "it must have been someone else and he's mis-ID'd me" is just as valid as yours. See if any neighbours saw anything.

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Lad at work had his 10 plate escort hit by a drunk driver in a transit when his car was parked outside his door. Luckily someone saw it and the insurance company spent £4K fixing it. He had no problems with the insurance company although he was as gutted as you. All good in the end so keep your chin up xx