some tw@ hit my C43 AMG!!!

[crockers]

406.

now 405..... sounding like a peugeot advert......

 

[IanA2]

now 405..... sounding like a peugeot advert......

Well it is a Friday...and that's the day Peugeot's are made...

 

[glojo]

IBlackbeast - I won't comment on the driving as it is an emotive subject and we're only getting one side

First off I would like to say hat's off to Blackbeast for sticking with this thread and answering ALL the posts in a polite and very mature manner. Yes I admit to being in the opposite corner but I would like to think I am not holier than thou, nor am I superior to any other human being. Regarding lack of sympathy; that remark is not worthy of replying to and we only need to browse this forum to see the multitude of very kind, compassionate postings. Perhaps those making these allegations should perhaps take a time out and reflect on them? I hope my own posts have not been either too rude or offensive as that has never been in my make-up and hopefully never will.

I agree with the above post about the actual incident and will simply say the incident\accident is being contended by both parties, in other words neither is agreeing with the other driver’s version of events? Would that be a fair assessment?

We have heard from an ex assessor saying how they could stay in their office all day and deal with claims solely by looking at photographs? I am extremely surprised at this statement and hopefully there is more than just picture evidence?

Let us say on Thursday night my 211 is driven into a river, no other vehicles are involved and I elect to have the vehicle taken to my home address. I then telephone Norwich Union Insurance (Blackbeast’s insurance company) and tell them how the car went into a river was flooded with water coming over the roof. I then e-mail them some pictures of the 211 in the river with just the roof showing. Are we saying that is it? My claim will be dealt with in two working days? Yes two working days. In two working days I will have a nice big cheque in my hand for the full value of the car that no assessor has seen, no representative of the insurance company has seen and no independent proof of the event asked for? Oh and after I get the cheque I then buy my alleged write-off back from the insurance company which they have also wrote off and it has been recorded on the national computer database without anyone checking VIN numbers etc? All this within the two working days imediately after the incident and no one inspecting the car or have it go the their nominated repair workshop?

Am I really in the minority here? Am I so detached from reality that it is only me that can see huge loopholes in this thread? I fully accept this assessor's comments and perhaps they refer to the perfect scenario, with perfect conditions and no one contesting blame? That though is not the scenario being discussed.

I have never had the privilege of meeting Blackbeast and that is a great shame but let’s all take a deep breath and read this thread.

All those less informed members that say some of us are unsympathetic to other folks misfortune might want to review their opinion? The author was questioned about some issues that were not understood but there is page after page of folks all offering their sympathy. This is a forum of very kind, very considerate folks that when the situation warrants will all close ranks and be very supportive. This thread started on the 23rd July, it was a straight forward claim with no other vehicles involved, no one to dispute the claimed order of events and just about everyone and their dog knowing the car would be a write-off? I accept it was the armchair brigade suggesting this but how does this post compare to what we are being told on this thread. Of course it was an exceptional time, but reading the post about assessors staying at a desk and writing cars off then perhaps this was an ideal oppurtunity to do just that. Profile those cars less than 12 months old that had suffered extensive flood damage and deal with them accordingly. That was not the case and just look at how long this straight forward, uncontested claim took to deal with, compare this delay to what we are being told on this thread?

Regarding the CLS, I gather the incident happened 23rd July, it was examined and wrote off on the 14th August which the author describes as being 24 days. A settlement was agreed on the 7th September and again note the time delay, a replacement was accepted on the 24th September. As far as I am aware at no time was the claim disputed and there were possibly no complications although I am NOT fully aware of all the circumstances regarding the claim?

My nephew is also with Norwich Union and his claim is now into the fifth week and again there is no other vehicle involved, no driver to dispute the chain of events and no build up of vehicles awaiting inspection yet his claim is still outstanding?

It griefs me to post this picture as a number of members will have seen this immaculate car and as I stated earlier, this is also a straight forward claim with no other vehicles involved, the car is insured fully comprehensive with Norwich Union, it went to an authorised repair centre and it took ten days to be wrote off and my nephew is still waiting to get a final figure. (No offer has been made)

I wish Blackbeast well with his new car and would recommend he hangs around on this forum as it is a great place with a great bunch of extremely helpful people that will usually be very supportive. I may not have met Blackbeast, and I might come across as being confrontational but I have had the privilege of meeting a number of folks that frequent this forum and to a man and lady they have ALL been extremely helpful, and supportive plus I would describe them all as being my good friends. Hopefully they will suggest I am not an ogre out to humilate, mock, or scorn but I hunger for knowledge. I am not criticising anyone on this thread, I am merely querying an event that is hard for me to understand and by asking questions it might eventually help me to better understand this insurance claim.

Regards
John

 

[cjab98]

now 405..... sounding like a peugeot advert......

I recall seeing a dark blue estate one written off, advertised on fleabay several times
So that's 404....

 

[rubystone]

Whilst Moose speaks from experience, he also says that the situaition could be different. By way of example, assessors working for the likes of Direct Line generally visit an authorised repairer perhaps once of twice a week. If the ramp time and assessor visit don't line up, that's where the 2 week lag can come in.

I'm sure that if the car is recovered to a bodyshop authorised by the insurer, the whole process can be accelerated, but from my own experiences, I'd always insist on the car being repaired by a bodyshop authorised by the manufacturer/dealer/importer, especially if corrosion warranties and the like are to be maintained.

As to the offers and the basis for them, all I can say is that in my experience, the insurance company will increase an offer....whether they will do this more than once is a moot point...the second offer is generally of an acceptable level. it is nice to know that they will look at Parkers though and apparently also take account of Autotrader values. In the OP's case, given the amount they paid out, perhaps they checked ebay?

 

[blackbeast]

Thanks Glojo, but its not anyones info really is it all this insurrance stuff. I was just explaing about what happend to my car, to the reason i might break or sell a damaged C43 AMG.
As most people would only ask what/why its like it.
Moose is right too, just they decided by images sent via email said enough with the report from assessor

Thanks
Joby.

 

[Moose]

We have heard from an ex assessor saying how they could stay in their office all day and deal with claims solely by looking at photographs? I am extremely surprised at this statement and hopefully there is more than just picture evidence?

then e-mail them some pictures of the 211 in the river with just the roof showing. Are we saying that is it? My claim will be dealt with in two working days? Yes two working days. In two working days I will have a nice big cheque in my hand for the full value of the car that no assessor has seen

OK, I should probably clarify a few points here regarding my experience assessing claims:

It is NOT just a case of somebody emailing a few pictures in. The process is handled automatically by specific estimating software installed at the repairer and the insurance co. If I recall correctly it was the Audatex system.
As I mentioned, recommended repairers have to fulfil certain criteria to allow them 'recommended' status. There is also a working relationship nurtured where the repairer submits the relevant images and an accurate estimate of work required. The audatex system does this. As far as the images go: Yes, occasionally, the damage is unable to be represented using an image. In this case an assessor physically inspects the vehicle but in 99.9% of the time (including the OP) damage can be seen from an image. In simple terms, a part is damaged or not. A panel needs replacing or repairing; the repairer will offer his view on this and in most cases it can be confirmed by looking at suitable pictures, zoomed in if required.

As far as the turnaround time goes: The example I gave was for a repair. If the car was written off / stolen etc the process takes a lot longer. Apart from the usual claim handling time, the engineer would value the car and an offer sent by post. Once accepted, the cheque would be sent. Assuming that the client accepted the original offer, this typically would take 1-2 months end-to-end. Disputed valuations often took many months to close.

 

[Moose]

By way of example, assessors working for the likes of Direct Line generally visit an authorised repairer perhaps once of twice a week. If the ramp time and assessor visit don't line up, that's where the 2 week lag can come in.

From experience, working in body repairs (i.e. not from an insurance company perspective) this isn't so. Engineers call into the repairer when there is a car to see. Once the car is established to be at a repairer and an estimate prepared, the ins co will send him there.

I'm sure that if the car is recovered to a bodyshop authorised by the insurer, the whole process can be accelerated, but from my own experiences, I'd always insist on the car being repaired by a bodyshop authorised by the manufacturer/dealer/importer, especially if corrosion warranties and the like are to be maintained.

Absolutely. If you insist on a repair by somebody that is not on the recommended list. Then an engineer would have to physically inspect the vehicle. Probably delaying the whole process by a couple of weeks.
Incidentally, I would always insist that my car went to MY recommended repairer and not necessarily the insurance companys.

As to the offers and the basis for them, all I can say is that in my experience, the insurance company will increase an offer....whether they will do this more than once is a moot point...the second offer is generally of an acceptable level. it is nice to know that they will look at Parkers though and apparently also take account of Autotrader values. In the OP's case, given the amount they paid out, perhaps they checked ebay?

I have no reason to doubt you. All insurance companies have different methods. I can only quote from personal experience.

 

[crockers]

Thanks Glojo, but its not anyones info really is it all this insurrance stuff. I was just explaing about what happend to my car, to the reason i might break or sell a damaged C43 AMG.
As most people would only ask what/why its like it.
Moose is right too, just they decided by images sent via email said enough with the report from assessor

Thanks
Joby.

Threads tend to go off in all directions......and develop....that's one of the joys (sic)..of this forum..

 

[glojo]

Threads tend to go off in all directions......and develop....that's one of the joys (sic)..of this forum..

I note your sarcastic icon but unfortunately I don't understand your point. Sorry and could you please explain what you mean?

John

 

[crockers]

I note your sarcastic icon but unfortunately I don't understand your point. Sorry and could you please explain what you mean?

John

OOpps that was meant to be the wink one...lol

 

[DieselE]

This may come as a surprise to some people but not everything you read on the internet is true

Well that's my week ruined then.

 

[IanA2]

Well that's my week ruined then.

Your week....my life....

 

[blackbeast]

lol,<above>

Thanks for everyones posts, Lots of people have said to me to stick it on Ebay, so i see how it goes there, if someone could see it for real then they might be able to express on here <MBclub> their own views on the price.

and the PM's that i have recieved from people on here <MBclub>, i havent forgot and i will let you know, thanks,

Joby.

 

[jaymanek]

Joby, looking at the pictures you have put up, it really doesnt look that bad, why dont you keep it, i bet you could get that repaired for around £2K, and maybe cheaper if you could find a second hand bumper..

 

[Dieter]

Hi,

I was reading this thread at 25 posts per second when my computer crashed

Cheers

 

[IanA2]

Hi,

I was reading this thread at 25 posts per second when my computer crashed

Cheers

Was it moving or stationary...?

 

[blackbeast]

laughing out loud..

Right so u was sitting behind the computer screen and at 25 posts...

So tell me if im wrong but if you were only reading 25 post per second then would'nt you be at fault? Surly your computer was just sat there... LOL :

Joby.

 

[recycled]

he probably stuck a v8 in place of a processor

 

[blackbeast]

Lol