17 replies to this topic

[vx220-MT]

A few weeks ago I was reversed into in Tesco's carpark by some guy in a BMW. Since then I have been onto the insurance company who have referred me to a ryder repairer. I didn't really want to take it there so have taken it to two other repairers who are approved Lotus & TVR repairers and they seem much better equipped to do the job. My question is: The car is only 3 years old. I have been told by some people (and the insurance company) that it would not be replaced, only repaired. But others have said "don't accept a repair . . insist on a new clamshell" I'm not too worried which way it happens, but does anyone have any expert advice? Conflicting advice = 1. "If I have it repaired it could crack again later due to the vibrations of the car and the tough suspension. Always go for a new clam" 2. "If I have it replaced, then the panels won't match exactly, and the clamshell will have to come off. (indicating a much worse collision that it really was)" It has a crack about 1 inch long under the bumper and a fracture about the size of a beer mat on the underside of the clam Can anyone help? ! Has anyone had any bad experiences with repaired GRP material (fibreglass I'm now told)?

Edited by vx220-MT, 04 April 2007 - 06:16 PM.

[Crimson_Killa]

If its not your insurance claim insist on a repair if its not an easy repair.

ive had mine repaired and if the bodyshop is worth its salt it wont be noticable (mine isnt)

basicaly if its being repaired take it to a fibreglass specialist, it took me ringing about 8 bodyshops near me before I found one that would even want to repair fibreglass.

to be honest if it hadnt been my fault (and yours sounds like a non fault) keep insisting on a replacement clam untill its done the way you want it, its you after all that has been inconvenienced.

hope that helps

A few weeks ago I was reversed into in Tesco's carpark by some guy in a BMW.

Since then I have been onto the insurance company who have referred me to a ryder repairer.
I didn't really want to take it there so have taken it to two other repairers who are approved Lotus &
TVR repairers and they seem much better equipped to do the job.

My question is: The car is only 3 years old. I have been told by some people (and the insurance company) that it would not be replaced, only repaired. But others have said "don't accept a repair . . insist on a new clamshell"

I'm not too worried which way it happens, but does anyone have any expert advice?

Conflicting advice = 1. "If I have it repaired it could crack again later due to the vibrations of the car and the tough suspension. Always go for a new clam"
2. "If I have it replaced, then the panels won't match exactly, and the clamshell will have to come off. (indicating a much worse collision that it really was)"

It has a crack about 1 inch long under the bumper and a fracture about the size of a beer mat on the underside of the clam

Can anyone help? !

Has anyone had any bad experiences with repaired GRP material (fibreglass I'm now told)?

[ElizP987]

Conflicting advice = 1. "If I have it repaired it could crack again later due to the vibrations of the car and the tough suspension. Always go for a new clam"

Sorry, but thats crap!
At the end of the day, your clam is made out of about 13 pieces (front clam) and firbeglass is just bonded together, its not like filler.....
As long as its repaired properly os course.

If going through your insurance though, I would hold out for a new clam

[vocky]

if it was someone elses fault INSIST on a new clam tell them it was undamaged before the accident and you want it returning to the standard it was before the idiot damaged it. ps: fibreglass can easily be repaired, but that's not the point on this occasion

Edited by vocky, 04 April 2007 - 08:33 PM.

[VIX]

I can't argue the legalities of a new clam. What I know is that I had minor rear end damage in 2005 - cracked clam, broken heat shield and slightly bent Milltek. Claimed direct on the other party's insurance. They would not agree a new clam and so I had it repaired by Plans. Their advice was that since my damage was minor, a repair would be fine, a new clam might be more difficult to colour match and a repair might result in the clam being stronger than original. I was very happy with the repair which is invisible.

[ChazUwe]

Well it withstood me rolling into it My VX I mean!

Edited by ChazUwe, 04 April 2007 - 10:28 PM.

[colgy]

If it's repaired, it'll be at least be as strong as it was originally. It'll only crack if you hit it again, but mind you so will a new one!

[shortjedi]

If you do manage to get it replaced, can I have your broken one? I'll pay a good price.

[VIX]

Well it withstood me rolling into it My VX I mean!

D'ya know I'd forgotten about that!

[rav224]

ultimately its the insurance inspection guy that determines whether its repair or replace. it sounds like a repair job to me... im in the middle of a none fault claim and have gone through the headache of sorting it out. GOOD LUCK (you could always get someone to kick the crack to enlarge and ensure a new clam!!) shhhh i didnt say that

[XXX]

ultimately its the insurance inspection guy that determines whether its repair or replace.

it sounds like a repair job to me... im in the middle of a none fault claim and have gone through
the headache of sorting it out. GOOD LUCK

(you could always get someone to kick the crack to enlarge and ensure a new clam!!) shhhh i didnt say that

Correct. It is all down to ecomonics. If the clam can be repaired and the cost is lower than a replacement then the insurance company would usually go for repair. It is the same for any damage - if a "normal" ( ) car door gets dented then the same situation applies - they would only replace if it is economic to do so. Obviously, the clam needs to be repaired to a top standard so this will be taken into account by the insurance co. The difference here is that it does not take a great deal of damage to a clam to make it uneconomic to repair.

Good luck. Any insurance probs, please do not hesitate to PM for advice.....

[vx220-MT]

Thanks for the advice. . it seems that a repair is the way forwards in this case. I've been told that the repairer is a specialist fibreglass repairer so I'm sure it'll be fine. So booked in on tuesday after easter. not sure how long it'll take but I don't care. I just want it back before the weather gets hot ! After reading peoples comments I'm satisfied that a repair should be ok. Cheers all !

[XXX]

Thanks for the advice. . it seems that a repair is the way forwards in this case. I've been told that the
repairer is a specialist fibreglass repairer so I'm sure it'll be fine.

So booked in on tuesday after easter. not sure how long it'll take but I don't care. I just want it back
before the weather gets hot !

After reading peoples comments I'm satisfied that a repair should be ok.

Cheers all !

You should be asked to sign a satisfaction note on collection. FDon't sign unless 100% happy. Don't be tempted to collect it at 9.00pm in the evening despite your desire to get it back. Go in daylight to have a good inspection of work.

[the gits]

If you do manage to get it replaced, can I have your broken one? I'll pay a good price.

Give Plans a call - they have about 28 of them....

[Tinhead]

This was the damage to mine after a volvo reversed into it in a carpark


There was some more cracks underneath and on the join

I got a new clam thanks to Horizon
Tha assesor came to inspect the damage and didn't even mention a repair, he just said it would have to be replaced
Which was good news for me as i got rid of the bubbles and frost damage at the same time

If it was a steel bodied car they wouldn't consider filling it so why should you suffer because your car happens to be glassfibre.

Very Happy with the result

[Anarchy]

A repair can look perfectly good, I was surprised how good, I was lucky to get a Lotus/TVR fibreglass repair expert to quote for a new sil to the insurance company which they accepted but the garage only repaired it and put the rest of the money towards a respray and paint sheild all over front end. Was for a fist size hole under door. Figured if I had to pay out my excess may as well get as much as I could out of it.

[Tashyboy]

Me beast is in at derby pentagon at the moment, last friday I went down to pick up my courtesy car ( Don't set me off), I asked to have a look at the car whilst I was in. The back clam corner passenger side had been reversed into about a hand size dint/crack damage was done. The clam was still off the car and I have to say the repair looked superb, The bottom line for tash is will it be as good/better once it is done. If not then they can nakas, keep it and sort it out, Thankfully it looks more than great. My question is this, Would Vauxhaul do the repair themselves or send it off to a specialist. Another point is this, I was told that vauxhaul hardly make anymoney out of these jobs because the man hours are so long. So why do um. I know how much Vauxhaul are getting for the job and I thought it would be a good bit more, Cough 1400 quid.

Edited by Tashyboy, 07 April 2007 - 04:49 PM.

[Thorney]

We get numerus referrals from Vauxhall dealers on these, they'd rather get shot of them than repair them sometimes.