E500 W211 insurance repair advice needed

[Kris-H]

Not unheard of ... As mentioned previously, its pretty common for main dealers of all marques to outsource bodyshop work...

I know of an Aston Martin Dealership in the London area that sends it's all the bodywork repairs out to a 2 man "under the arches" body shop and then re bills the customer at an appropriate rate.

 

[Londonscottish]

Do be careful re the hire car - although they may say it is at no risk to yourself , sometimes you have to take out a separate insurance in case you cannot recover from the other side .

Quite often , you will sign something agreeing to appear in court as a witness against the other party - this ought not to be a huge problem but can be inconvenient if the other party plays games with the court , postponing hearings then capitulating in the end .

One the other party has submitted his report , his insurer may be willing to play ball .

Agreed - I'm being careful here. It all hinges on what matey boy has written/how his insurers interpret it.

Waiting to see....

In my experience reasonable-sounding people often change their tune in these situations.

 

[Londonscottish]

Not unheard of ... As mentioned previously, its pretty common for main dealers of all marques to outsource bodyshop work...

I know of an Aston Martin Dealership in the London area that sends it's all the bodywork repairs out to a 2 man "under the arches" body shop and then re bills the customer at an appropriate rate.

That's ironic. The outfit I originally wanted to use is one of those. He does a lot for various marque specialists round here including my local indie and actually does their personal cars which says it all.

If I didn't know that I wouldn't have looked at them twice.

 

[Gareth]

Agreed - I'm being careful here. It all hinges on what matey boy has written/how his insurers interpret it.

Waiting to see....

In my experience reasonable-sounding people often change their tune in these situations.

Very wise, I've seen that happen all too often.

 

[M11GUL]

Hi,

My car was hit from behind and I told my insurer (elephant) that I wanted it to go to mercedes rather than their own garages.

Mercedes came out and quoted me £5.8k for a repair. Now the car was an E270 Avantgarde Auto in very good condition but with 109k on the clock. I was paid out £7150 (probably would have only got £5k in a pix deal) after some negotiation and providing evidence of maintenance etc.

I agree with many others, consult your insurer about your legal assistance and get them to look at helping you out.

Hope it all goes well

 

[Londonscottish]

Other guy has filled out his form and sent it in. It was incorrectly filled out and has been sent back to him.

Zzzzzzzzz.......this is a slow process...............

 

[Londonscottish]

zzzzz....six weeks in and the other insurers STILL haven't processed the forms at their end.

My insurers, though, tell me that they are certain they'll be able to recover all costs so have authorised the repair to go ahead.

Three lengthy calls today going backwards and forwards. The overall process is PITA.

Meanwhile am still trudging through another claim caused the lightning strike on my house. Equally hassly....

The only bright point is that my main TV failed yesterday, 24 hours after I got back from my hols.

Added it to my insurance claim then dug out my receipts from the purchase. Much to my pleasure I'd taken out extended cover.

Richer Sounds are sending someone on Friday and I can have a loan TV straight away.

Was feeling very pleased with myself. Then my boy told me his Wii had stopped working.

AAAAARGH!

 

[Londonscottish]

The car is now in the bodyshop, due back in 12 days tops. Have virtually given up on getting the other lot to supply a hire car. So many long, long phone calls.......Not LV's fault, they have been fine. It's the other lot.

The surround sound amp is finally with engineers appointed by insurance company. After having had to go and buy all the packing materials for it and sending it off by courier as requested......radio silence. I suppose I had better phone them. *sigh*

On a positive note Richer Sounds are picking it up the TV tomorrow and providing me with a loaner for the duration. Much easier that going through insurance

Virgin and Richer Sounds have come out smelling of rose so far, with LV not far behind.

The others are making claiming what is rightfully mine a real PITA.

 

[Londonscottish]

Nine weeks to the day after the loightning strike the (repaired) 47 TV is back as is a newand improved amp.

I was staring at HD programmes over he weekend dumbfounded at the picture quality and clarity after weeks of having a loan 720p 32 inch TV with an old amp (the amp also handles the visual signal processing. Amazing difference over the temp lit and much better than the original set up.

Plus I now a proper set up in the 2nd reception again. Yowsa.

AND I have a nicely-specced 212 E250 CDI loaner sitting on the drive. The other driver's insurers FINALLY admitted liability last Wednesday, loaner key was in my hand on Thursday. So I had a nice car to run my 85 year old Mum about over the weekend when she came to visit.

Happy days.

In no hurry to get the 211 back now

 

[After Shock]

This is really annoying! As you said 32 years without making a claim. Now you need them it is like squeezing blood from a stone!!

Regrettably the only truly guaranteed way to get the "proper" repair is to dig your heels in. Insist on exactly what you want. The type of hire car would be reasonable like for like car. The quality of job should be to bring it back to "as good as".

Just keep saying NO until they give in!!!

Must admit I never used to be like this, hate being this way, but alas it is now the only way to get anywhere!

 

[After Shock]

ohhh just read the above Things are looking up!