Insurance claim and repair advice.

[TonyA]

A daydreamer has absentmindedly driven into the back of my Plus 2 this afternoon.Impact was at lowish speed, but pushed forward the exhaust pipe ripping the lower panel and denting the bumper and rear panel. I called my insurance arranged thru Hagerty to report the details and was told the "day team" will be in touch tomorrow. My concern is to have a proper repair of course. Does anyone have experience of Hagerty/Markel classic car insurance..am I likely to get a fair deal..? Any advice on how to insist on a proper specialist and repair..? Any recommendations of a good classic lotus experienced bodyshop in the Home Counties...? Thx in anticipation ..Tony

[HampshireMush]

Hi Tony

Had a similar rear ender with my 69 S4 just over a year ago although from what you describe mine was more extensive - similar lower panel ripped to shreds and damage to rear valence, bumper and though into the wheel arches as well.

I am also insured with Hagerty. I had a call from the other drivers insurance admitting liability and saying they would pick the car up and send to their authorised repairer - I said no way and that I would be using my chosen repairer who had experience in Fibreglass and classics.

I chose to go with Specialised Paintwork near Reading, due to previous experience, and Hagerty were fine with this and handled everything without any issues. After a discussion they agreed to pick the car up and transport it over to Reading (I am on the Surrey / Hampshire / Berkshire border) as although drivable I was concerned the exhaust would fall off as there was little left of the hangers!

The work took a couple of months but the repairs were done to a fantastic standard - cost was circa £10K.

Hagerty took care of the bill and all I had to do was arrange to pick it up and drive home.

Hope that helps

John

[spyzee]

SNAP! Same here back in 2010 after I had completed the Spyder Zetec conversion and drove it on its first 61 miles to work but only 60 miles back when I stopped to avoid a head on dance with a tractor and the car behind didn't. Nice young lady driver but her husband tried to say it was all my fault because my car did not have a servo fitted to the brakes. Go figure that one out! Anyway her insurance company insisted I used their pet repairers on three occasions but each time when I took the car there each assessor said they wouldn't do it because it was a glass fiber shell. They all said I should have made this clear before wasting their time and all I could do was to smile and point out the word FIBREGLASS on the form they were holding in their hand. Can't make it up!

You will need to find a company that deals with glass fibre repairs. It took me awhile but I was fortunate in finding two young lads who had fathers that did all the body repairs on TVRs and had got their sons apprenticeships with them. I told the insurance company that I wanted the car taken there and they duly obliged after sending an assessor out to see them - who gave them top marks due to their reputation for glass fibre repairs and rebuilding classic cars.
They did a great job but the rear bumper was written off and the only one we could find was a modern replacement from Paul Matty which simply doesn't quite fit and produces rust spots all the time. I've still got the old bent bumper with no sign of rust on it at all. Something I've been meaning to sort out but haven't got round to it.
Good luck with it all
Colin

[TonyA]

The claims processor used by Hagerty(Markel) gave me a shopping list of documents and damage photos to upload and I have done so.. The 3rd party appears to concede liability ( daydreaming behind me..clear day no rain, light traffic approaching changing traffic lights not much wiggle room for fairytales) on the basis of which their insurer is offering to repair. I am inclined like Spyzee to leave things with my immediate insurer...

My insurer's claims processor says one quote will be sufficient and accepts that a classic Lotus specialist fibreglass repairer is best, accordingly I have sent 16 photos to Option1 for a quote..I shall update the forum next week..Tony

[TonyA]

My car is back and repaired following being hit from behind.I used Option 1 for the repairs: excellent work and fastidious attention to detail. My rear bumper was beyond repair but Option 1 located a good used repkacenent, which they then sent to Castle for stripping and rechroming: result is like new.

Thx also to insurers Hagerty who handled the claim smoothly, were easy to speak to and didn't quibble with my wanting to use a specialist restorer..Beware though: among the first things they asked for to progress my claim was mileage evidence: exceeding agreed annual mileage is their first get out..I'm glad I was within the agreed mileage and could prove it.!

Tony

[berni29]

Hi

I am please it has all been resolved to your satisfaction.

What happened with matching the paintwork? I am not sure about your car, but what if the the car has a bit of a patina to it? The rear half perfect and front with its original patina would not look great. How is this sort of issue resolved?

Many thanks

Berni

[TonyA]

As it happens my car's paintwork was pretty good; only a few microblisters to speak of. Option 1 mopped and waxed the whole car and its blended new and old paint pretty well..I think it helps that Carnival Red as a solid colour with no lacquer is one of the easiest to match a.Tony