Ouch I crashed my Landie into a rock

[JamesH]

Something terrible happened to me this arvo. Driving in soft sand my Defender decided just as we were passing a limestone rock to suddenly veer off and crash into it. I was only going jogging pace (LR 2nd or 3rd) but the damage is really ugly.

It opened up the passengerside front panel like a sardine can - the front LH panel is no more. The passenger door ****ed and a twist in the windshield panel cracked the screen

Good news, and there isn't much (apart from no-one hurt which is best news), is that the rock was jutting out above the ground so apart from a vague feeling that the power steering is not quite what it was - all the running gear is fine. This enabled me to back out and get back on the road and after checking everything seemed OK (no fluids, not belts out of allignment etc that I could see) had somebody with some basic mechanics look at it and I nursed it back to Perth.

Now my only fear is that my insurance company doesn't come to the party because I was on a soft sand track following somebody's wheel marks. Anybody know anything about insurance policies when you've taken your car off road? It is not a special off road policy just the normal one. I am really pooping myself about this one (I'm a worrier I habitually ponder the worst case scenario) because notwithstanding the good news above it going to be really expensive. New front panel, repair ARB bar. Some lights (head light survived I think) air con damge, passenger front door probably gone, rear door passenger side not closing properly, twist in the windscreen panel - that looks exxy.

I'm telling my self "It's a meccano set, they undo the bolts throaway the panels and bolt in new ones).

Bugger.

But I could still be out there waiting for a truck so I count my blessings.

No I'm not. Bugger.

[Captain_Rightfoot]

I'm sorry to hear of your accident. Look on the bright side... your LR now qualifies for the Purple Hart https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

As to the repair... I'm sure they will fix it up well. If they don't... keep annoying them https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

[gruntfuttock]

don't tell them exactly where it happened if you think it was in a place where they will refuse you :wink: :wink: :wink: .

I did not say anything





Nothing

[stevo68]

Mate Im no expert but I recently went through the process of finding out about my own insurance ever since Ive started taking it offroad. In my policy it covers offroad, some will also cover you if you are on specific offroad trails. Obvious answer is to look at your policy or speak with the insurer. Might be useful to let know who your insurer is as someone may be familiar with them here,

REgards

Stevo

[NOZ]

Bugger, sorry to hear about your mishap

[VladTepes]

That's no good, mate.

Where are the photos :?:

[TonyB]

I have injured my 110 twice off road & there was no problems with the Insurance. I am with the GIO in NSW. I checked their policy before taking it out, & all was covered unless I was in a competition, rally or race.

Hope that helps.

[RichardK]

Sorry to hear that James, as others have said you will need to check your insurer but I think when they insure 4wd's they cover off road driving.

It's safer at Harvey :!: :!: https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

[rangieman]

AAMI mate !

[Disco300Tdi]

Originally posted by rangieman
AMMI mate !

or is that AAMI ?

[charliebrisbane]

Sorry to hear about your rig. I recently (December) wrote off a jeep wrangler (wait for the cheers), on a beach, which is a gazetted road. I was driving across a creek and it got water in the engine and the interior. I got it towed home and got it running again but had damaged quite a few of the mechanicals and electrics. AAMI assessed it and within 3 hrs of getting it called me and told me that they were writing it off. I got the cheque within a week. They told me that they could repair it for less than the write off value however due to the electrics being damaged if any problems occurred in the future, ie. air bags not activating in a crash due to faulty censor after being water damaged , they would be liable for damage and personal injury. So they said it would be easier to write it off in that case.

I wrote the long winded version just to show you the circumstances behind the claim. To cut a long story short if the sand track is gazetted (named on a map) or close you will be covered. If not then it will probably be in some part of your policy weather they will cover you or not. I called the company before making the claim under an assumed name and asked if that kind of damage was covered they said yes. Mind you for a couple of days before making the claim I was pretty nervous that they wouldn't cover it and that I would be up for a very large bill.

Good luck hope this helps,

Charlie

[ET]

jAMES,

Don't know who you insure with, I have damaged my Disco twice (bloody trees) in the bush and hyave had no problem at all with having the repairs done and paid for by AAMI.

I have found that honesty is the best policy with insurance cases.

Good luck!

[JamesH]

I read the policy and it does not exclude anything in the way of where I am meant to take it BUT it does have a let out clause saying if I was doing something "unlawful". This is what worries me - was I allowed to be where I was? I am going to call the Shire and get more info regarding where I was before I call the insurers (a front for a big French company specialising in classic cars - been with the for 14 years with never a claim)

I have decided to word my statement very carefully but I am not going to lie and pretend to be where I wasn't if they grill me. What happens happens. I'll be seeing the bank manager I think. It is not a write off for sure. Extensive panel damage only (I hope) which while being expensive is straight forward. I have a Triumph Bonneville that may have to go.

Thanks for all your advice. Pictures will come soon.

[CraigE]

Mate, do not panic. Ring your insurance company and tell them you hit a rock. They should tell you to then take it to a repairer and get a quote. Go from there. Even on the beach it should be covered. Most beaches that have vehicle access are regarded as tracks or roads anyway.

[JamesH]

Originally posted by CraigE
Mate, do not panic. .

No can do on that one. Panic is my middle name. My mates reckon it comes from having such a charmed life that any minor glitch appears as a catastrophe in relation to the rest of the my life. 8O :wink:

But I've since called the Shire and yes I was allowed to be where I was so that's a load off. At least it was until the claims officer said if I did not present myself for a breatheliser withing two hours of the accident, the claim would be rejected! ****ed until proved sober! Lucky that clause is not on my particular policy.

Pic will be in my album soon. You're gonna say "ooooooh too fast" when you see it. I promise I was not fanging - just keeping it steady at low range 2nd or third and came up to this rock - the hand of God swerved the car straight into it. I must have had the front wheels not straight ahead and all of a sudden the grip changed.

[dages]

Sorry to hear that mate. In my experience be honest (a false claim is the best excuse for a insurer to get out of paying) and unless you were doing something really silly, illegal or stated clearing as non-covered in the policy you'll be fine.

That wasn't you up at Wedge Island was it?

[seqfisho]

Originally posted by JamesH
At least it was until the claims officer said if I did not present myself for a breatheliser withing two hours of the accident, the claim would be rejected! ****ed until proved sober! Lucky that clause is not on my particular policy.




WTF 8O 8O 8O 8O


How the hell are you supposed to do that if your car aint mobile and your not next door to a cop shop :!:

[CraigE]

The breatho bit is a crock. Get them to make that stand up in court, I think not. The only time you have to be breathalysed is if it is an accident where police need to be involved or someone is hurt. The onus would be on them to prove you had been drinking and were over the legal limit.
:evil:

[matbor]

Originally posted by TonyB
I have injured my 110 twice off road & there was no problems with the Insurance. I am with the GIO in NSW. I checked their policy before taking it out, & all was covered unless I was in a competition, rally or race.

Hope that helps.

RACV is the same.


Best to be up front with the insurance company, don't bull**** them, they have heard it all and can usually tell what happened when they see the car !!

Matt.