Claiming for loss of value

[Jonathlon]

HI All,

Looking for a bit of advice on claiming for loss of value after non fault accident.

Had my PE since May 16 currently has 14k miles on the clock and on Thursday morning I was rear ended whilst stationary, was a fairly big hit. I think she was doing about 50 when she hit the brakes late and when straight in the back of me. She has taken full responsability and car has been taken off to be repaired by an Audi approved workshop with genine Audi parts, it hasn't been assessed yet, but as far as damage is concerned, it'll definitely need new bumper (with Carbon diffuser) exhaust looked a bit bend and few bits of metal under the rear are bent and will need to be replaced. My main worry is the under tray in the boot doesn't lay flat now the plastic container doesn't fit in the space its designed for.

I can't see any reason it's not all fixable, however I'm now concerned about the loss of value to my RS, this will surely affect the resale or trade in value. I've mentioned this to my insurance company and they've put me in touch with a legal company but I wanted to know if anyone had done this before and how it works?

Few points to add is the car is currently on PCP, my plan was to keep it after the term and still is. I'm worried I won't feel the same about the car after I know that it had to be repaired but I can't put a value on that. To be honest I don't really care about the money its more the sentmental value to me.

Thank you in advance

Jon

N.B - if anyone else says to me its just a car, I might snap haha!

[W8PMC]

As far as I know, the ‘it’s just a car’ is the likely advice.

Won’t be any loss in value to the car as it won’t be recorded. If repaired by an Approved Audi body Shop, no reason to doubt it won’t come back as good if not better than when it went in.

Did you declare the Carbon rear diffuser as if not then you may have lost that.

[MikeFish]

Assuming the carbon was factory fitted then it will be replaced. But if you fitted it afterwards won't it still be covered when the assessor came to look at the car and price up replacement parts?or will he just put a rear diffuser down and rely on the Audi database to price and supply the correct factory fitted type?

[Jonathlon]

Carbon diffuser was factory fitted so not worried about that. Just after the accidnet it makes the car less attractive to buy. I've never buy a car that had been in an accident regardless of the level of work.

[rtd]

Yes but how many people ever tell the truth when it comes to things like this - not saying you would lie about condition and history but if it gets repaired by audi and you have paperwork to back it all up then you’ve nothing to worry about.

If you trade it in they won’t give a damn anyway they won’t check for anything they will just want your signature on that fat finance deal.

Instances like this where GAP can be useful.

[scottie1979]

I have had no direct experience with the legal side with incidents like this but one point that you might need to consider if you are going this way is also increase in premiums for the next 5 years that you need to declare this.
If the car is going into an audi approved bodyshop and not the recommended one by your insurance then you will be well covered. none of this straightening panels - it is a case of if its bent replace it not repair.

[scottie1979]

the other thing to do is deal direct with the audi garage and not your insurance. Of course tell your ins co but you dont have to claim through your insurance. take it to the garage you want and they will put it through their non fault company and deal direct with the woman's ins co.
this removes a layer of crap that you have to deal with and the time it will take for your insurance to get it fully settled.
I chalk this one up to experience with the other half's car.

[doodlebug]

Beware the accident company. There are many pitfalls with that approach legally and insurers will take a dim view of any additional costs. This approach is not well understood by most. Read the paperwork front to back and take advice if you don’t understand it. If they offer a loaner you’ll be taking out a hire agreement, you’re liable for that cost.

[scottie1979]

it doesnt matter if you go through audi direct or your own insurance this claim will be handed over to the associated not fault claims companies linked to both.
going through your own insurance - if the other insurance company has confirmed non fault to you, just adds another layer of admin and delays and you arent required to do so.

dont take this the wrong way i dont like this as it just puts up everyone premiums with these guys taking the p$@@ in loan car costs but it is what we have to deal with unfortunately.

Im writing this but the OP wasnt asking for this point of view and might already have all this sorted anyway .

[doodlebug]

Don’t know why you think your insurer wouldn’t deal direct. That’s not correct. You absolutely do not have to deal with claims company, this is not a vehicle pushed by the insurers. They actively push back on this and courts take a dim view when claimants try and push exorbitant hire claims.

[skirs6]

I wouldn’t worry about the loss in value. As long as it’s not declared a cat C or D it should be repaired like new. Brand new cars are often damaged during the transportation, quite often at the ports. They will be repaired and sold to the owner still as a brand new car.

[morski]

Let them repair the car and thoroughly inspect it or pay for an independent engineer to inspect it and get them to rectify any issues or reject the repair/car

[scottie1979]

Don’t know why you think your insurer wouldn’t deal direct. That’s not correct. You absolutely do not have to deal with claims company, this is not a vehicle pushed by the insurers. They actively push back on this and courts take a dim view when claimants try and push exorbitant hire claims.

i probably havent written it clear enough im not saying you wouldnt go to your insurer it is just when they get it, in my experience and it was the same with a few people at work, the claim gets dealt / handed over to their non fault co. associated with them. It isnt a random company it is a business setup but that insurer for this type of claim.
the audi bodyshop will have one set up - if i (wife) personally had gone to them direct i would have missed out on two layers of crap - her insurer and Seat Ensurance - who we went through to insure it was repaired in the Seat approved network. I neednt have bothered - should have just driven into the audi bodyshop. No taking the piss on hire car thats for sure (Skoda Rapid) but instead of the dents being pulled out and the crash structure repaired it was all replaced, new boot lid new bumper and crash bar behind the bumper.
Some insurers might deal direct who knows i only know what i have seen first hand.
there are the cowboys and then there is this which tries to be more legit (arguably the same thing) - im not advocating any excessive hire costs just explaining the way it can work in some cases not always through choice of the claimant.