Thread: Smash Repair Quotes - Cost

if anything like the computer industry, insurance companies don't necessarily pick one of your quotes if they decide to proceed so repairers have to cover the time to do the quote now.

Was another car involved and is your friend the at-fault driver?

If yes to another car then the claim may be mandatory, however if the other car was at fault then the other driver is liable for the repairs and your young friends excess should be refunded.

He was at fault but thankfully the falcon ute he ran into had a huge towbar that did all the damage - punched a hole though the grill taking the metal work with it. The radiator was hit and it just bent out of shape but didn't actually break so is still drivable. The body work on the Falcon was not touched as the bits on the Corolla that would have touched it were pushed back by the towbar. So the owner of Falcon is not claiming giving a bit of flexibility.

The problem is his Mum (her insurance policy - his car) did not have him listed as a driver and the NRMA is dirty on such things - so ontop of standard excess the NRMA has a big excess for unlisted drivers and then another big excess for being under 25. Anyway he has learnt and will be smarter with his next car.

Garry

Based on what you have said I am 99% sure the vehicle would be written off.

Surely the policy is (like most) $4400 or market value - whichever is the lesser?

They may only give you $3k - which would be $800 after excess.

Originally Posted by isuzurover

Based on what you have said I am 99% sure the vehicle would be written off.

Surely the policy is (like most) $4400 or market value - whichever is the lesser?

They may only give you $3k - which would be $800 after excess.

The vehicle is now in for assessment by the NRMA - the smash repairer indicates it will cost about $3600 to repair (not a quote so no charge) BUT in the current climate where the NRMA is not getting a lot for wrecks the smash repairer indicated that the NRMA is not writing vehicles off unless the quote is over insured value.

The NRMA has indicated the write off value is $4400 - whether that is agreed or market value I am not sure.

Garry

As to the original question, I have never been charged a quote fee, even when I've specified that I only need quotes to get money privately out of the other driver where insurance wasn't to be involved (my last car was a junk heap and I wanted the cash payout from the other driver instead of having it repaired). Most are happy to provide written quotes as well and quite detailed. I guess it depends on where you live but in some places you pay for everything.

It is (I understand) becoming more common as the repairers get leant on by the insurers to cut costs and someone has to pay for unproductive time eventually.
If you have a regular repairer (ideally you don't want to.........) you can get quotes without too much drama at no charge or friendly advice as to your options. Recently we had a repairer tell us outright that unless it was for insurer X or Y (their regulars) or a direct deal with us they wouldn't quote at all.

hmmm insurance companies.....my last bingle....I got hit up the arse.....NRMA sent me a list of their approved repairers, one happened to be a guy we knew, and said no quote needed, just get the repairer we favour to contact them for the go ahead. No haggles over costs , time etc. I couldnt believe it could be that easy.