After nearly 15 years (4 Coupes) of Coupe ownership I have had an accidental knock which potentially will result in my first ever Insurance claim!

Basically I reversed into a sneaky difficult to spot at night short post that was inline with the bottom of the rear light cluster, (no other vehicles involved) As you can see from the photo's below.

Firstly, what are people's take on this damage? if it was the only bodywork issue, I'd consider having it done privately, without claiming, however I was about to have nearly £500 worth of other bodywork done on it - ironically it was actually booked in for next week!
This extra work would now take it into 4 figures I'm guessing.

It is currently on a Classic policy with Footman James with all the usual things in place, Agreed Value/salvage retention etc etc been with them around 10 years - no claims

So I need advice what to do

1. Claim on insurance for the accidental damage
2. Go back to the bodyshop it was booked into for the other work & ask for a re-quote to include this

I do actually have a spare good condition Sprint Blue rear bumper! that I could pass onto the garage doing the work.

Finally, has anyone else claimed with Footman James? how were your experiences?.

I do want to get it all sorted, as it's the sweetest engined, most reliable Coupe I've had out the 4 but at the other end of the scale I do not have a huge budget (I was maxing out on the £500 I was going to spend on bodywork, as it's booked in for a full cambelt change too so I was spending best part of a grand on it anyway, not including this.




Thanks in advance

Jamie

Insurance co may well total-loss that if it goes to their approved repairer used to doing standard stuff.... Awkward repair as its in two planes but a good panel beater will do that - theres decent access for it.
Get a quote from them to do it. Also get an 'insurance' estimate off him where it may cover all eventualities iykwim.
I'm having a rear quarter paint done thats far far worse than that on my sprinty right now. Least i hope i am (am in Sri Lanka currently!)

I would start by getting a quote from the bodyshop - having a spare bumper is pretty handy. Tell the insurance you want to take it to your own repairer & get a cash settlement. Sorry I can't help with first-hand experience of FJ but I've agreed this sort of situation with other insurers.

Thanks,

I'm not sure how Classic policies work - never had to claim.

If they did total loss it as Cat C, I assume I would get my agreed value pay out? - could I then buy it back and use the money to get it all done up? (I wouldn't be bothered about it being Cat C)

Categories have changed now, no c and d, iirc its n and s for structural or non structural.
Mind you, i just bought a Navara that was cat S, solely because of some very superficial damage to the c pillar (amongst other damage)

I think my first step is basically to phone them & see what they say, explain I already have a bumper to supply to the repairers (and ask if I can use my own repairer) after that I will go to my chosen bodyshop & get an extra quote for the work on top of what I was already going to pay for the other work (I imagine it will be pretty steep)

So if they do total loss it, I'm guessing it will be category N - meaning it can be repaired & put back on the road

I think yoour first step is speak to a competent bodyshop about the viability of an insurance repair first. They are used to dealing with assessors etc and know how to 'play'the system

I agree start with the body shop first. Spare bumper shouldn't be an issue to get hold of.

If the value they come back with is swallowable then delay the rest of the bodywork.

The rising values of Coupes will help should you go through insurance but be prepared to argue it's value and arm yourself with current adverts for Coupes in similar condition. Personally I would do everything possible to avoid it being written off.

I've already got a spare Sprint Blue bumper. Yes I will visit the bodyshop and ask them first

I'm not sure how classic policies differ to standard policies, as I've never had to claim. Surely they must differ, especially in regards to spare parts sourcing / suitable body shops / deciding if it's a write off etc. I do have an agreed value in place, not sure if that plays a part?

Could I say 'yes I've had a quote for £££ for the work & I will be sourcing & supplying all the spare parts myself, and ask for a cash settlement etc?

Yes you can

I would not go near an Insurance company for such a mishap, get a few quotes from decent bodyshop's and away you go. No doubt you have an excess and the inevitable claim and top up on your premium next year etc will hit, makes it a no brainer.

Had one quote so far (this is with the other bodywork I was having done too & based on myself supplying a bumper) £500

Other work includes removing Sideskirts, re-spraying & re-fitting properly, treating sills & a couple of deep scratches & a full mop

Sounds very reasonable for the level of work.

I agree, sounds very reasonable.

Same here - cheap enough which was what I suspected - no way I would claim

The £500 is based on me supplying any parts needed (fortunately I already have a Spare sprint blue bumper! from the Coupe I broke) The bumper may need re-spraying too - which wasn't quoted for so it could go up.

I'm going to one more place today for a quote, if they come out more I'm going to book it in the place that quoted £500, they have good feedback online & on their facebook page (which I tend to take more notice of nowadays!)

I have phoned Footman James & their insurer AGEAS & told them I am not making a claim

good luck

It's going to be a total of around £650 all in if I have it done privately, that's the damage + the other work (the spare bumper I have isn't in great cosmetic condition, worth getting it done at same time as fitment)

Belts are due now also - so that's a grand+ straight up.

But I suppose it's worth it, as they are getting rarer & it's only 80K miles from new and is the sweetest running Coupe I have ever owned & modded/mapped to just under 300bhp so I guess it's worth it!.

After the work I will take some new photos & try & get my agreed value upped, as it's been a couple of years now since I had the current value in place. If I can get someone to verify it's 'value' for me

£650? - would you get it done privately or try through the Insurance (at the same place)

£650 for getting a coupe body back to good condition is pretty good I would say. The belts would have needed doing anyway but if it is a genuine 80k mile car with good bodywork and recent belts it will be worth a lot more than it is going
to cost you to get to that point.

As to whether to pay yourself or go through insurance depends on any excess you have and the implication for your insurance costs for the next three to five years on any car you are involved in driving. The only thing is that if you have already told your insurer you will have to declare it anyway in future but can say the cost was whatever you want to tell them as they won't have knowledge of the actual amount paid.

There’s an insurance claims database which is shared across the industry if it’s not on there then you don’t need to tell anyone. Can’t remember the address but google will find it. It’s open to the public. If it’s listed then I’d ask for it to be removed as your not making a claim.