Hi

Well a couple of weeks ago I was in an accident that was the caused by a woman. After having a couple of weeks to think about the situation and have time to cool I have decided to post to ask for peoples advice and or what can be done. The accident was a T-bone with me not been at fault.

Long story short I’m insured with AAMI and they said that the car will be repaired. The bill for all of the repairs came to just under 12K for part and 18K all up. The car is 07BF2 XR6T with only 7k on the clock fully insured to 46K.

I honestly thought the car would be a right off and I was kinda hoping for that since I sort of don’t feel the same/ comfortable driving it.

After having a very nice and long conversation with AAMI I was told that I had no choice and that the car will be repaired. At this point I accepted this as the final answer and tried to live with it.

Well this was the case until I saw a thread from GlennAUII and his unfortunate crash with “surprise a woman driver” . Sorry GlennAUII to bring up bad memories.

My question is this is there a way I can force AAMI to keep my T and I take a payout of what the car is worth? Is there any laws in place so see how much damage can cost to replace or wot not? Or do you guys this that the damage is not that bad and the chasse/motor everything should be fine? Also by how much would the accident dent the resale value ifs its repaired?

Also the car is currently at Bignell Panel Repairs so has any1 heard anything about these guys?

I have attached a photo I managed to take of the car with my phone and also I have uploaded a copy of the repaired quote.(I have copied from pdf – doc to delte a few details(reg,vin,ect.))

The Quote File

Thank you for your advice

They have there policies in place to stay profitable. They would clearly close more money to pay you out when the car is a write off and be left with having to sell the car themselves.

AAMI is a big company and you will have an uphill battle. Consult with a solicitor first and guage a professional opinion where you stand.

I dont think your cars to bad. It crumbled and the airbags went off to prevent you from death and injury. The car has done a good job.

And ban all women drivers.

I.B.

As IB said, they are in the business to make money. If everyone wanted a new car or payout on what looks like a fairly minor bingle, they would be out of business.

From the looks of the damage, it looks like the airbags did not deploy. This is usually a factor in deciding if a car will be written off. The reason is that airbags cause a heap of damage inside the car when they deploy.

They tear the dash, fire off the seatbelt tentioners and can shatter the windscreen.

Your hit has just crumpled part of the crumple zone. It should be fixed to your satisfaction.

My suggestion is:

Get a hire car as the womans insurance will pay for it (might take some pushing)

Speak to the smash repairer and let them know you are REALLY FUSSY and that you will be closely inspecting all his work and your best mate is a retired pannel beater.

AAMI need to ensure the car is repaired back to the condition it was prior to the crash.

Zap um the airbags did go off.

I know AAMI are a big company and profit is in their interests but I have also heard a few stories of them repairing cars that are no longer legal. As in the damage is beyond the legal amount and they just get the panel beater to fix it back up and give the car back to the client.

Also the front fender was push back far enough that I could actually freely open the passenger door to get out. I had to use abit of force to bend the section where the door and fender meet to get out.

Edited July 14, 200818 yr by Slammer

Sorry to hear mate, it looks like the old girl took a fair wallop!

I heard (correct me if I'm wrong) that if the damage bill is more than half what the car is insured for they will write it off - otherwise, you pretty much got no chance.

So yours is insured for 46k, damage is at 18k = 28k left over. Although it would be nice to have a new car, you can see why they didn't. It will cost them too much.

I know what you’re saying about not feeling comfortable with it anymore. The one and only car I have ever crashed I managed to fix, but it never felt quite the same.

Good luck with it anyway.

Mate that sux, especially because you were not at fault. If it was your fault, well you would drive a repaired car because you were the one who smashed it but because it was someone else it's a lot harder.

Anyway back to the point, I have to agree with most people that the car doesn't look too bad in the picture. But the important thing is what it looks like underneath, how far have the chasey rails been pushed back and where they crumpled, if they crumpled at the front it's an easy fix, cut it off and weld on a new part and it will be as good as new, you shouldn't notice a thing, but if it was further back (past the suspension mounts) then I would try very hard to get it written off as it might never be as it was before the accident.

You (or someone in the know) need to have a good look at the car before you try debating anything. They decide by the $ figures only and if they got a quote for 18k they will go with that and it would be almost impossible to debate it without any evidence.

Mine was quoted at 10k for the entire job which I thought was impossible but still went with it only for them to call me (half way through the work and say the engine has to come out to fix the rails, I couldn't do much as they already fixed most of the things and the accident was my fault too so I didn't make a fuss about it. Anyway the final bill came at over 20k I had to send the car back 3 times to re do certain things. It had 18 faults when I got it back the first time. It was repaired by some dodgy lebs in Peakhurst, don't remember the name, they dropped the susspention out and didn't do wheel alignment afterwords, that says it all.

If the car is to be repaired MAKE SURE YOU CHOOSE A REPAIRED AND THEY KNOW THEIR sh*t

Unfortunately I didn’t get a chance to choose the repairer. AAMI just picked one and dropped the car there. So will the front end will be just as strong after its fixed or will it be a lot more fragile? The reason why I’m asking is that I’m rather impressed with the amount of damage done to my car vs other car. I mean from a safety point of view.

The other car I believe is a right off since the centre pillar(inc doors), floor were pushed in about ¼- ½ of the way in through the passenger side. The deepest point in the middle was a prox 20cm away from the centre of the car.

Luckily there where no passengers in the car.

So if the car isn’t returned to 100% structurally prior to the accident can I do/say anything? Unfortunately I currently don’t have the money to go and get lawyer to fight this.

Once I get the car back and left say take it to like RACQ would they be able to find/tell that its been in an accident? And if they do does that mean that the repairer stuff up the job?

Had almost exact same scenario and damage on my BA ute, even down to the sex of the offending driver

Repair bill was 17k from memory, six weeks off the road, and came back better than new. Was also with AAMI and I was very impressed with their service and follow up.

As Zap suggested I also hired a car which you can arrange through AAMI, at your expense but at a reduced rate (your current insurance will cover the hire vehicle as well) and then claim it back from the at-fault party. Had no trouble getting money out of them, as if they don’t pay up then you can take it to the small claims tribunal.

There is that stigma of driving damaged goods, but give it a go and hope for the best. Although it’s really your only option but it may not turn out as bad as you predict.

100% what he said. Have dealt with AAMI on 2 occasions. Couldn't fault their repairs or service

Oh, and for $25 a year it is worth checking the hire car box when renewing your policy

Oh okay well I think then I'll wait and see how this turns out. thnx for help

also Tab or anyone else do I need a lawyer to go to small claims tribunal? cuz I think I might take up the hire car option. Will need to pay for the full hire time up front or can I do once I’m done?

Edited July 15, 200818 yr by Slammer