Damaged RS4 & Courtesy Car

[moog]

Hello All,

Some little charmer whacked into the front of my car over the weekend, and knocked it into the front of the car parked behind it (apparently two cars chasing each other down our residential street at 2.30am, what is it with these people?).

Front wing trashed, and looks like the wheel got knocked as the steering is all off, and the ESP light is stuck on, as well as the rear bumper needing replacement. So cosmetic mainly, although the steering sounds expensive and time consuming.

Anyway, the courtesy car (or discourtesy car as I have taken to calling it) that I have been given is a 1.1 fiesta. Its OK, I suppose, but I have a decent length journey coming up in a couple of weeks for which I would prefer something a little more refined - I seem to recall discussions on this forum about replacement cars of a more equivalent standard to the one being repaired, does anyone know if this is something that one can arrange through an insurance company (Admiral, in my case)?

(and apologies if I end up posting this twice, not sure the first attempt worked)

Tks.

[m5killer]

dont think admiral do that on the courtesy cars, check your policy on replacement cars

[b7rs4saloon]

Ok.

Do you have the details of who you are claiming off? The third party? Or are you claiming from your own insurance because it was a hit and run?

[moog]

I'm claiming of my insurance, with the possibility of my excess being reclaimed from the insurers of the car that did the damage (assuming it can be traced, wasn't nicked, and was insured). Still waiting to find out from the police what is going on there.

[UNI555]

Different insurance company but I got a Vauxhall Corsa when I drowned my C55 Merc, and it was only paid for for two weeks, then I had to pay myself. The car was provided by a hire company and they gave me the option to upgrade at my own expense.

[gmk666]

Isn't one of the reasons for ever-escalating premiums the spread of 'accident management' companies who will get you a like for like car and then charge the insurers of the other party?
One of them (I forget their name) supplied me with a Mercedes C-class while my car was in for a minor spruce up after being hit while stationary by a neighbour.
Obviously they need the details of the other party though - and I wouldn't hold out much hope of the police actually doing anything to help you or your insurance company find them.

One other thing - if your wheel is damaged, insist on a either a new one or a proper refurb - not one of those spray can in the back of a van jobs.

In the meantime, good luck with getting your car back soon.

[PetrolDave]

Some Audi dealers do an accident management service - if they handle your claim then at least you will get an Audi.

[P_G]

Only other solution is Accident Exchange, although you need third party details for that. Otherwise like Dave said, Audi Accident Management.

[gmk666]

Only other solution is Accident Exchange.

That's who looked after me - they were recommended by the Audi dealer when I asked who their approved bodyshop was.

[Iain_S4]

I was hit by an 82 year old (never had an accident) in October last year. As I drove past a junction he pulled out from the right and hit my car on the back corner. Fortunately no damage to the wing but tyre, wheel and rear bumper were all damaged.

I was insured with Bell who were going to have Albany Assistance provide a suitable replacement (Bell are part of the same insurance group as Admiral so you would think they would use Albany). However, my car would have to go to their approved repairer or if I chose repairer, I pay costs and claim back.

Also had Gap insurance through ala.co.uk - by chance checked the details and found they would handle the claim and send the car to the manuafcturer's approved repairer without me having to pay and claim back. So decided to have them handle the claim instead.

Ala use Accident Exchange who delivered a replacement RS4 to me in Aberdeen within 24 hours. I had cancelled Albany handling the claim but still got a call the following morning about a replacement car - out of interest asked what they would have given me and was told a porsche - didn't check which model though. The guy was quite happy as he was having to move a car up from the south of England so saved him a headache.

Can understand the ever escalating premiums comment - I had my car at the repairer the following day but the other insurer dragged their heels at every stage so I had the replacement for almost a month (made me appreciate the spec on mine). Even after their independant assessor checked the car they still took about a week to give the go ahead.

I at least had another party that eventually admitted liability.

[P_G]

Having seen the insurance industry first hand for 20 years with my father working for them, their process and proceedures are invaribaly the reasons premiums have gone up because of the ineptness of assessor, claims handlers etc. Hence why third part companies like Audi Accident Manageent who in the NE use Winns solicitors get the opprtunity to be involved.

It is not the value and cost of supplying better / equivalent spec. cars that are given, more the companies and how they manage the process coupled with the ever increasing number of personal injury claims resulting from accidents.

[pad125]

I had an RS4 from Accident Exchange and it was quite an eye opener to find out how much they charged. I had the car for 22 days and the bill was almost £7k (the repairs to the car were only £900). It ended up in small claims court and as the small print says 'you must provide all reasonable assistance to help us recover the costs' I ended up in court too giving my reasons why I needed a direct replacement to my car.

Other that the inconvenience of a day off (which I got expenses paid) it was interesting to hear the judge’s view. He agreed that I should have a direct replacement and as no other hire company hired RS4 then the other insurers weren’t able to offer a price comparison. He almost treated it as a waste of his time.

Bogus Claims, Bad driving, young drivers etc etc etc have been blamed in the pas for the massive hike in premiums but I’m sure this cant help!

[b7rs4saloon]

Accident exchange are chuffing brilliant!

They are brilliant, but you must have the third party details....

[moog]

Thanks all.
Currently I don't have the third party details, and the police don't seem to have acheived a great deal so far, although they do have a probable registration number and make of car, so not altogether sure yet whether I will get any details in time to make any difference.
On the plus side, I suppose I will appreciate my own car all the more when i get it back.

[drcarrera]

I had an RS4 from Accident Exchange and it was quite an eye opener to find out how much they charged. I had the car for 22 days and the bill was almost £7k (the repairs to the car were only £900). It ended up in small claims court and as the small print says 'you must provide all reasonable assistance to help us recover the costs' I ended up in court too giving my reasons why I needed a direct replacement to my car.

Other that the inconvenience of a day off (which I got expenses paid) it was interesting to hear the judge’s view. He agreed that I should have a direct replacement and as no other hire company hired RS4 then the other insurers weren’t able to offer a price comparison. He almost treated it as a waste of his time.

Bogus Claims, Bad driving, young drivers etc etc etc have been blamed in the pas for the massive hike in premiums but I’m sure this cant help!

That's interesting! A few years ago I was in exactly the same situation after my 911 had been damaged and I had a Boxster, then Merc SL replacement car for around four weeks. Judge ruled against me and said it was my duty to keep costs "reasonable". Fortunately the hire company agreed to foot the £12K bill!