Does anybody know, with 100% certainty, whether there is any legal time limit between having a prang and receiving a bodyshop assesment/pro forma invoice?

My wife had a small prang in our Golf about three MONTHS ago, and this invoice has only just come through. And the amount of the invoice, £548, for a simple door dent, is almost certainly more than this poxy E reg Escort is worth.

Surely there's a time limit? I mean, anything could have happened to a car within three months, and we might be paying for repairs that we didn't cause. Do i have a case? If not, can i ask to have the repair independently assessed, as i think they're taking the pi55? Thanks,

Terry

 

Sorry, but it could be legit. I had a small prang about 10 years ago with a VW Passat. Dent in the rear passenger door cost £750!!!

I also don't think the time limit has anything to do with it. I once got a payout for a car a couple of months after I got rid of it.

I assume you didn't go through insurance. If that's the case, you should always make the other party get a quote before agreeing to pay for the work yourself.

Editted 'cos I didn't read the post properly...


[Edited by Jerome - 8/13/2002 7:46:17 AM]

 

Yep, £548 is an estimate, not the actual cost.

I wanted to avoid insurance, but if it's really going to be this much, then i might have to look at taking advantage of my protected NCB...

 

Try to avoid that Tel (if this policy is the same as used on the wagon) ... even though the discount remains the same the base premium could soar - protected NCB isn't the amazing thing some think it is. And you have to declare the claim for 3 years so it'll probably end up costing you (with excess) the same.
Bummer
C

 

As it's an estimate, get them to get another quote. Also make sure they don't go into the garage and say "it's an insurance claim"/"someone else is paying". I'm convinced many - even reputable - garages either hike up the quote, or respray the whole car for a scratch.

Either way, despite the amount, don't touch the NCB. Firstly you lose one free claim in 3 years (or equiv.), and your premium will go up. You'll probbaly end up paying more than £548 over the next few years. Especially if - God forbid - you have a big claim in the near(ish) future...

 

Fair do's. Will leave the NCB alone then.

Chuck, the wagon's actually with Frizzel now, whereas the Golf is still with Privilege, but either way i'd still have to admit the claim to Frizzel i suppose, and as you say, i might need it for something altogether more important than this.

I wonder if E reg Escorts have locking petrol caps....?

 

Jerome, they don't ACTUALLY respray the whole car. They just give it a good cut & wax, then TELL you that they needed to