borat52

My Dad has a mitsubishi GTO, and 6 weeks ago it got crashed in the rear while it was parked up on the roadside.
Driver swapped and exchanged details. Her insurance company asked for 3 quotes which he got and sent back to them. Once from mitsubishi, one from their local approved Vauxhall bodge shop and a local independant.

Now the cheapest quote came to £1200 inc VAT. They are now saying they will only pay out £800 in a cheque because they say they do not have to pay VAT if they get it repaired and they get a 10% discount through their approved repair shop.

Dad wants the full £1200 so he can get the work done where he wants, can he legally demand this? Surely given 3 quotes they must pay out the cheapest amount.

Any help appreciated,
will

maclean2

Hi - sorry to hear that your dad is having so much grief with these cheap skates.Absolutely he is entitled to choose the repairers and he should insist on this.I would suggest he puts this in writing inviting them to give the repairer who gave the cheapest quote written authority to do the work.He is entitled to hire a car whilst the work is being done and if the car has been undriveable since the accident he can also claim for "loss of use" ie being deprived of the use of the car at around £70.00 per week.

If his own policy has legal expenses cover why not make use of that ?

Alternatively try the credit hire route using Helphire or Driveassist.Brieflly they would get an admission of liability from the other insurance company and ensure that all repair costs and car hire costs are paid direct by the other insurers.

HTH but if want any further info please ask.

Alasdair

borat52

Thanks for info,
Car is still drivable, just some horribe dents and completely ruined paintwork to sort out.
The thing is he doesnt want the cheapest repairer to do the work, he would rather the money and to get the work sorted himself, can he legally ask for a cheque to the value of the lowest quote including VAT?
Yes he does have legal cover, may well have to use it unless insurance company stop being Aholes.

Tony@Greenlight

Spot on.

Alasdair is clearly an industry expert

Kind regards

Tony

maclean2

Hi - Tony -thanks for that

Hi Will

They can argue that VAT need not be paid unless they actually see a repair account with VAT shown on it.

I would suggest that you say that your dad is prepared to settle at £1200.00 all in on the basis that he does not hire a car during the repairs.Tell them if they cannot agree to this he will go to a credit hirer and rent a like for like car at considerably extra cost.

HTH

Alasdair