Car Insurance Repair

[BillyMcGee43]

Hiya folks! I've never had any issues with insurance before and it's always been a pretty open and shut ordeal for me, except for this one. And sadly there's no short way to put it... So here goes!

My car was involved in a collision on September 26th. It was parked up outside work, locked, with nobody inside. A lorry turned around near it and caught my car with its trailer opening the bodywork up like a can of spam, I got in contact with my dealer recommended accident management company and they got the car shipped off for repair in good time. When I received it back the repair was a long way off what I was willing to expect, mismatched color, poor fining, poor panel and fitting alignment, and more...

Fast forward to today - The repair shop has had the car three times now (One for initial repair, twice for corrective work) and I'm *still* not happy with the quality of the work completed, and to top it off they're refusing to have it back. Needless to say, I got back in touch with the accident management company about this, they are refusing to acknowledge that the repair is unsatisfactory as the repair shop are saying it's fine (of course they are, they don't want to see it again do they?) and it's in line with another example of the vehicle they have on-site, even though my car isn't even symmetrical with paint finish, blemishing, color mismatch, and fit'n'finish issues.

But it gets even better, the accident management company (referred to from here as AMC) want me (a 100% non-fault party) to pay for a vehicle inspection out of my own pocket, or get the 3rd parties insurance to cover it as my AMC didn't handle the repair themselves and rather the third parties insurance did. So I phoned the third parties' insurance with all the relevant details and they're denying sending the car off to the repair shop citing that my AMC organized and handled the whole affair and simply sent them a bill.

Where do I stand here? I'm not one to play victim, but I wasn't even in my car so there's no way I can be even slightly to blame for this accident and yet I'm expected to pay out of my own hand to have the car inspected thanks to an incompetent repair shop's poor quality repair?
And to top it all off, I took it to the dealer for their advice and the chap who sold me the car originally agreed that the repair hasn't been carried out properly and thus would have an effect on the value of the vehicle.

Am I able to hand the car back without any negative impact on my credit record? Am I able to push to have the car written off and receive a payout (this would be ideal as frankly, I've had more than enough of this situation as it's dragged on for so long)?
I just don't know where I stand having been bounced around back and forth for so long.

[des8]

Your vehicle was damaged by a third party.
Do you have comprehensive insurance?
If yes, did you claim on your own policy?
If not did you write to the party responsible holding them liable for all your losses?

As you apparently chose the AMC yourself and they acted on your behalf the third party insurers will not pick up the tab for poor workmanship by the repair shop. This would be holding the third party responsible for the poor quality of the work.
You might have a possible claim against the AMC who arranged the repairs, but I fear you will be having to sue that repair shop.
And yes it is for you to prove your claim, although if successful the repair shop/AMC should have to pay your costs

If this vehicle is on finance, the finance house should be advised.
You have probably gone too far down the line to have the car declared uneconomic to repair. This is a decision made by the insurers, but you have already had the vehicle repaired.

What contract do you have with the AMC?
If you don't have a copy, could you identify them ?

[BillyMcGee43]

Thanks for getting back to me!

I do have fully comp insurance, I didn't claim on my own policy as the dealer recommended I used the AMC for the claim, and they assured me that they'd handle everything.
The third-party admitted liability without hesitation for the accident.

As for contract with the AMC I'm honestly not sure, they took it off my hands and sorted the repairs out, sorted me with an (admittedly very nice) hire car and didn't charge me a dime for anything along the way. They just sent me a link to E-Sign some documents relating to the hire car but nothing I can find regarding the repair itself.

[des8]

Ok so you didn't claim through your own insurers but you do realise you must inform them prior to next renewal?

The AMC I suspect had you sign their contract, and within their T&Cs there will be a disclaimer for the quality of the repairs.
Did you read their forms before signing?
And of course they didn't charge you, the third party insurers paid for it all, and you agreed that by signing those forms

If you name the AMC I'll do some searching for you.

But as mentioned earlier I think you are on your own, and will have to initiate a claim against the repair shop using your rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015

[BillyMcGee43]

I informed my insurance on the day so they already know about it.

I had a cursory read of everything, and I've just had a flick through again but everything relates to the hire car costs.

AMC would be AX, formerly Accident Exchange.

[des8]

I informed my insurance on the day so they already know about it. good!

I had a cursory read of everything, and I've just had a flick through again but everything relates to the hire car costs. That's because credit hire is their core business

AMC would be AX, formerly Accident Exchange.

According to their website "You can choose your repairer".. did you or did they appoint the repairers?
If you have their T&Cs can you post them up, or give a link to them?
*

[BillyMcGee43]

I was never given the choice, from my phone conversation with them earlier on the third parties insurance sent it there but they deny that.

I don't have the T's&C's unfortunately, but I'll have a thorough look and update if I can find them.

[des8]

..from what I read I suspect it was AX who chose the repairers, and they will have done it on your behalf as you probably unwittingly gave them carte blanche. They possibly have an arrangement with the repair shop (? is the repair shop approved by insurers?)

I'm pretty sure you will end up suing the repair garage for the cost of making good their bodge up.

[BillyMcGee43]

Quite likely.

I know the repair shop is manufacturer-approved, and it's the dealer franchise repair shop too so it only makes sense that it goes there for the work.

Thanks for the advice though, even though it isn't really the news I was hoping for. I'll see what AX has to say tomorrow when I phone them up.