Accident today! (Repaired then hit again!)

[Ron, Edition30]

Builder doing some local work tried to park their Nissan Cabstar flatbed in my boot today. Put their nearside rear corner into my tailgate as they were reverse parallel parking in behind my parked car.

Odd thing is that I'd just gone to have a routine look out of my front window to discover the truck at an angle trying to drive out of my boot . Didn't hear it hit and the alarm hadn't gone off either? I banged on the window and by the time I'd got outside he'd gone round the block and parked on the other side of the road. Said he was about to ring my doorbell and explained that his handbrake was dodgy and the truck had rolled back..(hmmm). Foot brake would have helped if that really was what happened.  

I'm lucky I guess because I'm not sure how it might of turned out if I hadn't happen to see it when I did!



Damage appears to be limited to the tailgate only, lights all working and is still drivable I quess. He was insured and my insurers MoreThan have arranged for GWS bodyworks to collect my car in ten days for assessment and repair. New tailgate I'm presuming, now worried about paint matching etc. Bugger all damage done to the truck of course!

I've been told that my £300 excess is safe and no claim bonus (unprotected & approaching three years) will also be safe. Anyone have any experiences with GWS bodyworks repairs or similar accident claims?

The space he was trying to park in was "6.66" meters (bad omen!) and the cabsters only 4.8 metres long.  

First accident in the car, other than someone knocking and scratching my wing mirror whilst it was parked and didn't stop to leave a note. Annoys me because I do what I can to reduce the risk of accidents when I'm driving (advanced driving, Roadcraft etc etc). But what can you do when it's parked up other than stand guard over it?

The car has just had a good spring clean as well.


Anyways sorry for the rant. Could have turned out worse I guess.

Comments appreciated.
 
Ron

[paulk]

gutted for you mate cars looks stunning...there was a mint silver ed30 boot on ebay if you dont want to risk body shop sprayers

[Garth]

I have a brand new genuine unused tailgate if you want to buy it? Straight from VW 

[Tarmac_Terrorist]

That's so annoying! I'd be so pi$$ed off.

I assume 'More Than' is his insurers and they want to repair your car at their workshop?

I hate these sorts of insurance dedicated repair shop places. Used them twice before on previous cars fro simple repairs and both times ended up having to go back 3-4 times with lists of 20+ faults on one car! I would personally only allow it to be repaired at either a VW approved bodyshop or a very reputable local repairer that comes recommended. You don't want to invalidate your warranty or jeopardise value come resale time.

[edd666999]

this happened to me, this is what i would do:

1. find your local VW approved repairer (http://www.volkswagen.co.uk/find-a-retailer)
2. contact them and ask them what accident repair company they use.
3. the accident repair company will call you, take the details, provide you with a like for like courtesy car, pay for the repair and claim it back via their insurance.


Your insurance doesn't get involved, you get a decent car, your car gets done at a VW approved repair garage.

[cmdrfire]

Ouch, that's very harsh mate. I agree with the others though, take it to a proper VW approved place and not just whatever insurance place. Let them know where you are taking it and let them sort it out. Don't let them walk over you and tell you where they're taking the car. Make sure you keep it all under your control and the job'll be done right 

[Ron, Edition30]

Thanks Guys,

MoreThan is my insurance company and they use DWS Bodyworks for repairs. When I called the claim into morethan today, they arranged everything. They got DWS Bodyworks to contact me and arrange a date to pickup the car for assessment and repair. Hire car company called shortly after to arrange that.

New to insurance claims so I don't know what options are available to me in this scenario. I want to make sure the repair is the best possible, done at a highly regarded VW approved bodyshop.

I'm having doubts now regards morethan's own repairers versus an independent VW approved bodyshop. Need to investigate the options now..
 
Cheers
Ron

[VC]

ooh ya fooker 

whats the bet he would have tried to zoom off if not spotted eh, gutting mate but glad the fix is underway

[Ron, Edition30]

Yep that's what I'm thinking. He'd parked up to do a job next door when he hit it but choose to drive off round the block rather than leave it where it was and ring my door.

I'm guessing he drove off but perhaps realised he wouldn't get away with it so came back and parked up opposite.

I'm presuming it's definately a replacement tailgate job aswell. Wouldn't accept a repair of the existing one even if it was possible.

Anyone have any issue/problem free dealings with VW approved bodyshops in London / the South East that they can recommend?

Cheers
Ron

[cmdrfire]

Y'know, looking at that again, it does seem like it could be beaten out if it's not affected the structure. I'd definitely prefer for it to be original metal as opposed to replaced.

I can recommend VW Martins Bodyshop in Basingstoke. Although they did take their time, their repair job on my Golf was outstanding after my accident, and the quality of the paint was very high (and a seamless match with the original paint).

My brother scored a dent on the flank of his 'rocco, it wasn't as bad as that hatch but they were able to beat it out and looks like new again.

[Ron, Edition30]

Thanks cmdrfire, I'll put them on my list of bodyshops to make enquiries with. Want to visit 3 or 4 for estimates and to get a feel for the places.

Being as fussy as I am, the hardest thing I want to let near my bodywork is detailing clay . panel beating 

Another angle of the damage below:



Cheers
Ron

[cmdrfire]

Actually that is quite bad, may not be beatable... if it's done right it's indistinguishable from before, and I certainly prefer using original metal, but the thing to be wary of is people not doing it right (and making it up with filler!  :barf: ). In any case that looks like a replacement panel job from this new angle.

[VC]

Actually that is quite bad, may not be beatable... if it's done right it's indistinguishable from before, and I certainly prefer using original metal, but the thing to be wary of is people not doing it right (and making it up with filler!  :barf: ). In any case that looks like a replacement panel job from this new angle.

i agree its new panel time for the most effective repair

in that area once beaten its going to need filler without doubt. then think of all the times youre going to be slamming the boot over time after repair

[candy turbo]

i thinkmore than will use top class repairers and if its not to your satisfaction dont accept it back till it is , simple   

[BMX]

there are 2 gti rear doors on ebay both complete with spoiler and glass one is black £70 and the other as paulk said is reflex silver the guy will take £130 for cash. personally i would do it myself than risk a trim to a bodyshop