Repairs & Insurance Claims

[Seeker_UK]

I had a 'minor' bump in my CLK courtesy of a bollard in my local supermarket carpark :neutral:

The damage is to the door and rear quarter panel (passenger side).

Because I have the car on a PCP with MB, I must get it repaired by an MB approved body shop.

The insurance company's have an approved repairer but, it isn't MB approved. No problem sez my insurer, just get 2 quotes and we can take it from there.

So, I went to the local MB approved body shop and to MB's body shop. The quote from MB stands at £4K+

Admiral are getting a bit twitchy about approving MB / MB approved to do the work but I just can't afford to *not* go there.

Anyone here have a similar experience and if so, where do I stand? Can I force Admiral to approve the work though MB / MB approved?

Cheers

 

[Alex M Grieve]

Because I have the car on a PCP with MB, I must get it repaired by an MB approved body shop.
So, I went to the local MB approved body shop and to MB's body shop. The quote from MB stands at £4K+

This sounds "anti competitive" and as such is against the public interest.

How different from any other reasonable quotes is the MB bodyshop price?

Are other MB approved bodyshops available to compete?

If a case of price fixing could be established, it must be illegal, surely?

 

[Seeker_UK]

This sounds "anti competitive" and as such is against the public interest.

How different from any other reasonable quotes is the MB bodyshop price?

Are other MB approved bodyshops available to compete?

As far as I can tell, there are very few MB approved body shops. Just the one around Wellingborough.

I guess that MB's exacting standards prevent a lot of bodyshops getting the gig.

The problem I have is that if I were to get a quote from a non-approved repairer MB could turn round and say, "well it might be cheaper but it doesn't meet our standards and we can't guarantee the work for 30 years when we come to resell the car after Mr Seeker finishes with it".

Any ideas of an MB approved bodyshop within 25 miles of Wellingoborough would be appreciated.

 

[jberks]

It can go wherever you like.
If it were me, I'd drop it in to the local dealer and tell them to sort it. Here's my insurance details - deal with them direct and let me have the car back when it's fixed.

I have had the approved by manufacturer but not insurance co and visaversa argument. Amusingly it was with Audi Insurance on an Audi (they didn't seem to see the irony!) I won. It went to a manufacturer's approved shop. The insurance co can't argue about where it goes. They can argue with the cost but thats between them and the bodyshop. Not your problem. They'll come to some agreement between them.

At the end of the day, the ins co will send an assessor to the bodyshop who will discuss the whys and wherefores and agree prices and work between them.

 

[eGuru]

Any ideas of an MB approved bodyshop within 25 miles of Wellingoborough would be appreciated.

MB Bedford have their own bodyshop, I always take my car there.

 

[Seeker_UK]

MB Bedford have their own bodyshop, I always take my car there.

Cheers. I may need to pull that one out if Admiral get arsey.

 

[Seeker_UK]

Spoke to the bodyshop today (after Admiral said they hadn't received a quote from them)....

The very helpful guy explained why the claim was so expensive. Although I had bent the skin of the passenger door and rear passenger side panel w/out breaking the paint they had to replace the door and panel.

Fair enough.

But then to make the repair "MB blessed", they need to spray the door, panel, front wing and boot lid. No wonder it's so expensive and my insurance is going to take a hammering.

 

[SQ_W211]

Thats what we pay top notch insurance premiums for i guess and as long as you have protected no claim, you will be fine let them deal with it all

 

[Seeker_UK]

Thats what we pay top notch insurance premiums for i guess and as long as you have protected no claim, you will be fine let them deal with it all

I am beginning to wonder at the value of protecting the NCB.

For my CLK, my premium this year was £480. This was fully comp, 15 years no claims, guaranteed (ie no limit on number of claims).

Next year, after this claim, it will be ~£650.

I still have my 70% NCB but because I had an accident, I am a greater liability for the insurer and they weight the premium accordingly.

 

[Miffy]

The repair sounds about right, I had bonnet work carried out and they sprayed both wings also to get the best match

 

[SQ_W211]

I am beginning to wonder at the value of protecting the NCB.

For my CLK, my premium this year was £480. This was fully comp, 15 years no claims, guaranteed (ie no limit on number of claims).

Next year, after this claim, it will be ~£650.

I still have my 70% NCB but because I had an accident, I am a greater liability for the insurer and they weight the premium accordingly.

True say, it is mad but thats exactly why we should get them to repair our cars to the perfect condition when get a chance as we know the insurance will go up next year. having said that £170 extra a year is not too bad if you had a claim over couple of thousands.

Also I guess the increment will depend on how much the claim was and if you were at fault etc etc

 

[Seeker_UK]

..and if you were at fault etc etc

Yup, I was defintiely at fault.

Grrrr. :roll:

 

[SQ_W211]

There we are then.... lol but still £170 extra is still better off than trying to start the no claim bonuses from year 1.

 

[jberks]

I am beginning to wonder at the value of protecting the NCB.

For my CLK, my premium this year was £480. This was fully comp, 15 years no claims, guaranteed (ie no limit on number of claims).

Next year, after this claim, it will be ~£650.

I still have my 70% NCB but because I had an accident, I am a greater liability for the insurer and they weight the premium accordingly.

Yup, thats the bit they don't tell you. NCB is guaranteed but as your percieved risk has gone up, so have your premiums. There's no protection on that. On the upside, with a protected NCB, you get 70% off the increase too.

 

[Seeker_UK]

Just to finish off the whole sorry story, the CLK is going into Castle Coachworks in Northampton on Wednesday for a new door, rear panel and respray.

Total final cost, £3900.

So I will be w/out my CLK for a week and for my sins will have to drive a courtesy car. Not all bad though, it'll be an A class.

Typical! Hottest week of the year and for my stupidity, no convertible to enjoy it in.....

 

[SQ_W211]

There will be more SUNNY days....... we can dream right!!!!

 

[*Thumper]

Sounds expensive to me ................... talk to the finance house, and give them your insurers details ......... sit back and let them sort it out ......... why are you running around and getting stressed ........... you've paid others to do that.

I had my wifes old C class repaired via non MB approved workshop .... top job ! .......... lease comany did'nt give a hoot !!

 

[Seeker_UK]

I had my wifes old C class repaired via non MB approved workshop .... top job ! .......... lease comany did'nt give a hoot !!

MB is the finance house