Goodbye 230TE

[NormanB]

Just to let you all know I had a major prang on Bank Holiday Monday.
The old Merc did a splendid job and without any doubt saved my life.
I will go into more detail later when it is appropriate - it isn't at the moment.

However, I was wondering can anyone advise me on how to stop the insurance company from completely shafting me. I know the old Merc's book value was bugger all - but it was in excellent nick and maintained well so why should I get shafted blah blah. I ask because this is my first ever RTA and claim in 34 years of motoring.

Seems churlish to worry about the money side of things but I do not want others to profit so to speak!

 

[stwat]

Hi NormanB.

Im very sorry to hear about your accident mate I hope you and yours are all ok. Sorry, i cant help with your question mate but i hope it works out ok for you mate.

Many regards,

Stuart.

 

[Ian B Walker]

Norman, you could always buy the car from the insurance people at a knock down price and then sell it for spares. Reading your pm I am not sure if the engine has been damaged beyond repair but taking the rear end you have a dif, half shafts, brakes, possibly a gearbox, doors, heated rear screen, interior, possibly wheels, rear end exhaust and other bits that I cant quite think of just now. 124's are built solid. Its comforting to know just how solid and that you are ok.

 

[andy_k]

However, I was wondering can anyone advise me on how to stop the insurance company from completely shafting me. I know the old Merc's book value was bugger all - but it was in excellent nick and maintained well so why should I get shafted blah blah. I ask because this is my first ever RTA and claim in 34 years of motoring.

Seems churlish to worry about the money side of things but I do not want others to profit so to speak!

They probably won't try and shaft you, we've had some pleasant surprises when it comes to valuations.

things to do

1, stress how well the cat has been maintained and in what superb condition it was in before the accident - keep all of your receipts and show them to the assessor - most insurance companies use third party assessors these days and they seem to be willing to listen

2, apart from the write off/book value try and explain the true cost of replacement, a good 230TE is hard to come by etc, stress how it's full service history is something you don't find much on cars of this age

3, reject their first offer (unless it's really good) reject their second offer unless it's more than you expect and when the third offer comes through phone them up and say that you are still not exactly happy and what is the very best they can offer you stating again all the reasons above.

4, collect valuations for similar cars - auto express, loot, private sales etc and always make sure to list ones of as higher value than yours - a lot of people are very optimistic about the value of second hand Mercs. Show these values to the insurance company as the "true" value of your car and what it would cost you to replace

5, DO NOT hand over the car's keys or documents (V5, MoT etc) until you are satisfied.


Bad luck on the accident and hope you are either fully recovered or well on the mend


HTH


Andy

 

[Flyer]

Hi Norman

As said on the other thread, sorry to hear of your accident.

Can we assume that you are insured fully comp? (Who with?) If so, you will probably be dealing with the insurer's engineer.

Andy's advice is sound. Get all your receipts for work done and cut out any similar adverts from the local paper, AutoTrader, etc and present them to the engineer. A '89 model will be out of the main Glass's Guide now and into Modern Classics; that will give a guide valuation, but documentary evidence will, usually, help you to increase on that valuation.

As Ian says, approach the insurance company, or the salvage agents, and see about purchasing the salvage. If the vehicle is too badly damaged, however, they won't be allowed to sell it to you as it will have to be crushed.

Assuming it wasn't your fault, I hope you have a good accident management company looking after you; uninsured losses mount quickly.

Hope you and others involved recover quickly.

Cheers
Andrew

 

[NormanB]

Hi Andrew,Andy, Ian and Stuart

Thank you for your kind words and advice.
I am fully comp with Norwich Union and have the Legal marlarky cover with RAC thro' the policy (is that the same as Accident Management? - or do I need to engage someone else?).

Fortunately I was on my own in the car, the accident was not my fault (100%), but there was a fatality hence my wish to be discreet. Day 3 sees me up and about - moving like an old man who has just gone a few rounds with a heavyweight pro boxer!

 

[R2D2]

Sorry to hear your bad news. Hope you and yours are all OK. Peoplehavealready covered alot of the advice but if you have photos receipts and evidenceto addvalue to your car then use it fully anddecline the first offer what ever! Hope it sorts for you.

 

[Howard]

I really don't know very much about insurance - but best wishes Norman, glad you aren't hurt and hope you recover quickly !

 

[sym]

Sorry to hear this Norm ..... hope you recover soon.

 

[Sp!ke]

Hi Norman,

Glad to hear you are OK. Sounds like you had a bit of a scare. The insurance may well not muck you around and might be the oppertunity you've been after to move onwards and get a later model car.

 

[Steve_Perry]

Sorry to hear your bad news Norman Glad to hear that you are okay, best wishes for your recovery and good luck sorting a replacement. There's not much I can add to the good advice already given

S.

 

[Flyer]

I am fully comp with Norwich Union and have the Legal marlarky cover with RAC thro' the policy (is that the same as Accident Management? - or do I need to engage someone else?).

I'm with NU also. The legal cover provided by RAC legal services *should* be sufficient to recover your uninsured losses. I don't have any experience with RAC Legal, but if I was in your position, I would utilise the services of a specialist ULR (uninsured loss recovery) company. I don't wish to add to your troubles, so if you are happy with how RAC are handling your claim, then leave it with them, but you don't have to.

but there was a fatality hence my wish to be discreet.

Very sorry to hear that ...

 

[Satch]

Sorry to hear of your trouble. Hope it all works out.

We used RAC Legal Services after my wife got shunted by a moron at traffic lights. Car was a write off but she suffered only some minor injuries. Paid a single up front registration fee to the RAC and once they decided we had a good case it was farmed out a law firm.

Recovered all insurance excess, uninsured loss, some car hire costs,all legal fees clocked up plus a few grand compensation for pain & suffering.

Well worth the years of membership fees.

 

[pepper&boulou]

Sorry to hear of your accident, glad your are ok if a bit sore .Hope you get squared up quickly and fairly for your Mercedes. And I look forward to hear of your new aquisition in due course.Best wishes Alex.

 

[pammy]

Norman - just wanted to say how sorry I was to hear of this. A particularly nasty event by the sound of things.

Take care of yourself chuck.

 

[Webby]

Glad you're o.k. good luck with the insurance.

 

[C240Sport97]

when I 'lost' my car a couple of years ago, the assessor advised me to take pics of the car to show its condition. Which I have done .. loads of them!

 

[Brian WH]

Only just read this thread mate. Very sorry to hear your bad news. Glad your OK and recovered quickly.

Are you able to tell us any more yet, I understand the delicate nature of any fatal accident, but we are obviously curious.

Any photos of the old girl??

 

[NormanB]

Brian

I will tell all as soon as it is appropriate.
The car is impounded for the 'Crash Investigation Unit' in a secure pound and the police have told me they will release it next week so that the insurance assessor can look at it.
So, once that occurs I will be going there to collect all my personal stuff, not least the SPIII. Of course I will be taking some pics, which I will share with you all.

So convincinced am I of the life saving credentials of the Merc - I am looking for another - I do like the look of the 320cdi - any advice for me?

I may be looking at Paul's E430 next week too!

 

[Brian WH]

Brian

I will tell all as soon as it is appropriate.

So convincinced am I of the life saving credentials of the Merc - I am looking for another - I do like the look of the 320cdi - any advice for me?

I may be looking at Paul's E430 next week too!

We understand mate.

The E430 looks nice with plenty of toys, which I assume are staying with the sale? An equivalent E320 CDI facelift model will not so well equipped, but a lot more frugal, and probably equally as powerful on UK roads, due to the restrictions. Obviously the new E320 CDI with Comand etc is a different animal altogether and well worth a look if you can run to £40k?