car accident - need advice

Those pictures tell a story. Thanks so much UrBaN963, I really appreciate the effort you put into explaining what the Golf 7 looks like underneath.

There does seem to be a fair distance between the bumper and anything of importance. Huge relief.
 
maumau said:
Here's an interesting point - at the time of the accident Bryte Insurance gave telephonic permission (got a reference number) to have the car towed. They didn't discuss which panel beater it was going to.

The following morning at 7:00a.m. (bear in mind the car was towed on Sunday afternoon) Avant Garde panel beaters sent a quote. I phoned them immediately and they were honest enough to admit they are not VW approved so they were told them not to touch the car................however, later that day the insurance broker was adamant they are VW approved and they were going to do the repairs.
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Hmm. This is interesting. How would the broker know? It's up to insurance company. Who are Bryte Insurance though??

maumau said:
Here's another funny thing - the tow truck driver and the insurance broker kept asking if the car is still under Motorplan. What's that got to do with it? Does anybody know?
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Even more interesting. Had my car in last month at a panel beater. When I picked it up, I had to sign a form to "re-start" my Motorplan. I asked why; didn't get a clear answer. Persisted, and it turns out that it is possible for panel beaters to claim on your motor plan as well or some such.

So, I would recommend you stay away from whomever was "recommended" by your broker....
 
Splinter said:
Hmm. This is interesting. How would the broker know? It's up to insurance company. Who are Bryte Insurance though??
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The SA subsidiary of Fairfax, a major Canadian insurer.
 
Splinter said:
Ta. What you think about the rest of what was said though. Seems strange.
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No idea, never had an accident or a car towed in SA so I'd be the last one to know what's normal or not.
 
Oh yes, just for peace of mind, have the exhaust inspected. Wouldn't want any of that impact at the back to be sent forward into the catalytic converter or exhaust manifold.

Wouldn't want any unseen damage that crops up a year or two down the line.
 
If anything that quote seems a bit overinflated.

I would have no problem driving that after repair.
 
maumau said:
Exactly, it vehicle looks beautiful for a year then the panels they've worked on start changing colour :D :D

Guessing they use their own mix of paint.

Here's an interesting point - at the time of the accident Bryte Insurance gave telephonic permission (got a reference number) to have the car towed. They didn't discuss which panel beater it was going to.

The following morning at 7:00a.m. (bear in mind the car was towed on Sunday afternoon) Avant Garde panel beaters sent a quote. I phoned them immediately and they were honest enough to admit they are not VW approved so they were told them not to touch the car................however, later that day the insurance broker was adamant they are VW approved and they were going to do the repairs.

Jeez, I lost it :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

By checking on the internet and phoning a VW dealerships it was easy to confirm Avant Garde ARE NOT VW APPROVED so I emailed them AND the broker telling them AGAIN not to touch the car and insisting it goes to the panel beater of my choice. It's important to have a paper trail.

Here's another funny thing - the tow truck driver and the insurance broker kept asking if the car is still under Motorplan. What's that got to do with it? Does anybody know?
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Firstly, I've had terrible experiences with Avantgarde 2 years back. My vehicle was also rear ended and insurance sent it here. Not going into detail, car went in 4 times for them to get simple damage fixed.

Secondly, if a car is under motorplan or warranty, then it has to go somewhere VW approved to keep the plans intact.
 
maumau said:
Particularly since the original panel beaters aren't VW approved.



Don't know what the broker was playing at. She did complain about towing/storage/vehicle release fees but that's not my problem.
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That should not be your problem your insurance should take care of that the only costs you possibly have to pay is your excess.
 
You guys rock, tks for explanations, advice and reassurances. It helps a lot to be armed with knowledge.

Avant Garde eventually released the car and it’s at VW approved panel beater. Asked them to strip it and pay particular attention to parts mentioned in thread.

bromster said:
Oh yes, just for peace of mind, have the exhaust inspected. Wouldn't want any of that impact at the back to be sent forward into the catalytic converter or exhaust manifold.

Wouldn't want any unseen damage that crops up a year or two down the line.
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Have asked them, tks.

SauRoNZA said:
If anything that quote seems a bit overinflated.

I would have no problem driving that after repair.
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Insurance has to pay :) and tks for reassurance of driving after repair.

Old_Liver said:
Firstly, I’ve had terrible experiences with Avantgarde 2 years back. My vehicle was also rear ended and insurance sent it here. Not going into detail, car went in 4 times for them to get simple damage fixed.

Secondly, if a car is under motorplan or warranty, then it has to go somewhere VW approved to keep the plans intact.
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Under no circumstances will Avant Garde get their mitts on it.

Tks, that explains why everyone kept asking about Motorplan.
 
Splinter said:
Hmm. This is interesting. How would the broker know? It's up to insurance company. Who are Bryte Insurance though??



Even more interesting. Had my car in last month at a panel beater. When I picked it up, I had to sign a form to "re-start" my Motorplan. I asked why; didn't get a clear answer. Persisted, and it turns out that it is possible for panel beaters to claim on your motor plan as well or some such.

So, I would recommend you stay away from whomever was "recommended" by your broker....
Click to expand...

Signed up with Zurich Insurance who merged/changed their name. If it wasn't for the broker I wouldn't have heard of them and TBH after this episode I might change brokers and insurance companies - not sure yet.

Will post here if they ask me to extend the Motorplan.
 
maumau said:
Particularly since the original panel beaters aren't VW approved.
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This is scary. After I traded my polo for a clio, someone rear ended me, I went to cannings, and they said "sorry we arent renault approved" and then did some research as to who can spray my colour, and chose a place that did a bang up job.

I work with brokers, but all they do is facilitate my claim, its up to me who I tow with, what panelshop it goes to etc... As long as its an approved panel shop. They quoted me R96k on what i thought was a simple repair. My insurers sent an independent evaluator to verify the quote, and they worked it out to a negligable R1000 less. What was even more awesome was that my one tire had a deep scratch from the bumper, and they replaced both back tires (Michelin super sports). My brokers are underwritten by Hollard.
 
^

Hollard were awesome, can't remember why I left them :)

Phoned insurers from the accident scene and got towing authorisation. I mentioned my panel beater of choice but the tow truck driver said the car had to go to an "assessment centre" first which turned out to be Avant Garde. Of course he was lying.

Are you actually allowed to say where you want your car towed to? What if they refuse?
 
maumau said:
^

Hollard were awesome, can't remember why I left them :)

Phoned insurers from the accident scene and got towing authorisation. I mentioned my panel beater of choice but the tow truck driver said the car had to go to an "assessment centre" first which turned out to be Avant Garde. Of course he was lying.

Are you actually allowed to say where you want your car towed to? What if they refuse?
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Yes you can say where you want it towed to. As long as the place is approved by your vehicle manufacturer. Or at least that is the case with my insurer. I use Stepp as my brokers and Hollard who's the insurer. Even in terms of pricing, it is amazingly good. I regularly do comparitive quotes, and if anyone else is cheaper, i let my brokers know and they keep it competitive.
 
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