Help needed
Help!
Hi all.
We have just used our nice shiny new motor home for our first proper holiday. We had a great time. Unfortunately, on our way back from Devon to Norfolk we were rear ended on the M25! Not too much damage on the rear, but the front end....what a mess! Wheel and all the suspension, drive shaft ripped off, front wing peeled off, A pillar bent, drivers door crushed etc etc. Looks like a write off to me. The police had poor Lola dragged off to Watford, where she still is.
Where the problem is, is that our insurance company is no help at all. We have to find someone to do the estimate/report. We also have to find somewhere where we can have it removed to while the insurance is being sorted. I have spent hours researching on the internet and hours making phone calls trying to find someone who can handle the job, so far no success. Does anybody have any ideas at all please? Needless to say I Will not be using that insurer again!!
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Like DD, I’m sorry to hear that, Gary, but glad nooone was injured.
That is an appalling failing on the part of your insurance company and I’ve never encountered anything like that before. I’d change insurers as soon as in your shoes.
Meanwhile, do you belong to the AA, RAC, Green Flag, or similar? They often do accident assistance or claims handling.
I’ll look up the company who were appointed by my insurers (NFU) when I was hit and get back to you. Whether they act for individuals, I don’t know . Their bill was settled by the other party in my case.
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Sorry to hear of your accident Gary; If it is as badly damaged as you described I would expect your insurance to send someone to examine it.
I have had two occasions where I needed to claim, the first was a total write off and the insurance sent someone to confirm this without me getting any quotes. The second time it was only minor damage and I had to obtain two quotes before the insurance assessor called to give the go ahead for the repair. Either way the insurance company will have to see the damage at some point, unless they use an agent on their behalf.
The best of luck with your claim.
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Thank you all for your advice. Luckily neither of us was injured.
The insurance company is Zenith Marque. They tell me that their assessors are not qualified to inspect a specialist vehicle like a motor home. Seems a bit daft as they insure them! Oh well. Never thought of my breakdown people (RAC). I'll get onto them in the morning. Quite honestly I'm grasping at any straw at the moment. I'm waiting to hear from Ipswich Accident repair at the moment. Their secretary seems to think that they can help, but I'm waiting to hear from their engineer.
Once again, thank you all.
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If you were rear ended, what the hell did you hit to do so much damage at the front and surely its the person that hit you that responsible and their insurance that should be doing everything to process the claim. if you know the name of the company then ring them and state that if they don't rush with the claim you will get a "Claims management company" at their expense to take full control of the claim. you should not have to do anything as not your fault.
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Just a bit more information that may or may not apply to you Gary.
Just like you my tow-car and caravan were removed by an independent motorway recovery outfit contacted by the police, even though I had already informed the RAC who were on their way.
The upshot was that I had to pay £250 to release my car and caravan before the RAC would pick them up. I never did recover the money which was a lot in the 80s. I always suspected the police were on a little earner with the breakdown company.
I hope the RAC can be of help, good luck.
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Yes, good luck, Gary.
Zenith Marque sounds like one to avoid.
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We were rear ended doing approximately 50mph. We remember the rear nearside going up in the air, so We assume that he went underneath us. This in turn spun us into the central barrier which was 10 inch square box section steel. We then slid along the barrier for about 30 metres. I have a sneaky feeling that the front offside suspension may have collapsed before we hit the barrier! We went across two empty lanes, and I had no control of direction whatsoever. The front was tilted down as we slid towards the barrier. After we got out we found that his car was on the hard shoulder and totally undrivable!
I've just had a look at the visionetwork site. All the garages anywhere near me are all bodyshops only unfortunately, but thanks for the tip.
We've already been informed about the recovery charges from the garage at Watford, who, I must admit have been extremely helpful, as has everyone that I have spoken to over the last few days. Each and every facility that I have spoken to has given me another place to try!
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If they were half as good as their sales blurb it would be ok.
"Our specialist vehicle product provides extensive cover for classic, American cars and motorhomes. Backed by expert underwriting, flexible rates and full cycle EDI delivery, we've got everything covered."
Keep on at them is my advice.
P.S.
just read your latest post and it reminded me that six months later I also got a hefty bill from the Highways Department to replace the three or four barriers that we scraped along on the M6, thanks to the police for reporting it to them. Luckily I did manage to claim that back from the car insurance.
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From his earlier post I don't think he hit anyone in front DD. The damage was done when he hit the central crash barrier.
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That would explain why the lady at the insurance company was asking me how much it would cost to repair the barrier! How am I supposed to know that? Come to that how was I supposed to know the names and ages of the 4 kids that were in the other vehicle, and whether they were all wearing seatbelts?? Also the other driver's wife's name?
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One other thing, which you all may find hard to believe. The M25 at the time of the accident was absolutely clear! Nothing behind (apart from the idiot that hit me of course), and the nearest vehicle in front was at least a quarter of a mile ahead! I personally have never seen the motorway that empty.
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Oh my goodness, how devastating! Just glad there were no serious injuries. Sounds like a situation that could have been so much worse...although I'm sure your poor motorhome might not agree. Not sure I can be much help but couple of suggestions of where you might get help/advice...the dealer you bought from and/or caravan club helpline. Hope its all resolved swiftly for you.
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It's problems similar to the one the OP has endured that makes me use a dashcam to record our journeys - a few seconds of video can save a thousand words when problems ensue.
Hope you get it sorted and aren't too disheartened.
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Thank you all for your good wishes and advice. I have spent another few hours on the phone this morning trying to sort this out. I contacted Fiat camper assist who were most helpful. They passed me on to RAC Commercial for the recovery side of things, and the manager Simon, was super helpful. He was on the case for at least 3 hours, before my insurance company relented and decided to finally pull their fingers out and take things over!
If this sort of thing happens to anyone else with a motorhome be aware!
You can get the van itself looked at, and you can get the accommodation unit looked at, But if you can find someone to do both you are extremely lucky. After 40+ Phone calls myself and Rac commercial gave up! One place even suggested that I had the van transported back to the factory that did the original conversion. Slovenia or somewhere. I don't think so!!!!
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Thanks for the update, Gary. I’m pleased you’ve made some progress.
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Hello Gary. It sounds like you are making some progress and I am afraid I can't add any new suggestions just my best wishes. Your experience has been truly awful and is a wake up call to us all to really check how good our MH insurance cover is. Good luck. Gerry
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I find it incredible that your Insurers did not insist that their preferred repairers were used.
This used to be the standard, years ago - is it no longer the case?
Sorry but I am unable to help you.
As a matter of interest which insurer were you with?
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I'd tell the insurance company to get off their rear ends and do what you are paying them to do. There are insurance companies which will try to get you to do all their work for them.
Also, regarding Redface's comment - not the case any longer so make sure that the vehicle goes to where you want it to go not where the insurance company try to tell you it has to go to.0
