|
||
|
6th May 2024, 18:31 | #1 |
I really should get out more.......
Vauxhall Insignia CDTi; MG TF 135 Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Norn Iron
Posts: 2,970
Thanks: 942
Thanked 378 Times in 297 Posts
|
Interesting insurance conundrum
Some of you might still remember me – had my 75 for over 12 years, but had to give up in the end as I was tired of taking wheelbarrows full of money to her. Anyway, got an Insignia of similar spec, and am generally happy with it – especially the auto box
However… somebody hit it and ran in the Tesco car park, and damaged the front n/s headlight. These are hideously complex and expensive units (like £1200 each), and there was also some scratching on the bumper. I have protected NCD, so I put it through my insurance. I’ve been driving over 50 years, and I think this is the first claim I’ve ever made (excluding numerous motorbikes ). Anyway, problem is that it turns out headlights for these and some other cars have been on back order for a very long time. The insurance company has even asked the repairer to look at used units, but they say they can’t get one of them either. So here’s my problem… presumably my car won’t pass its next MOT with one headlamp, and I can’t drive it at night. I’m asking the insurance company what they plan to do – after endless broken records that sound like they’re coming from a politician, she said “We may end up offering a cash alternative”. I don’t know what that means, but unless it’s about £10k () it won’t help me… when the car fails its MOT, it’ll be sitting in the driveway indefinitely. So… what do you think Hastings will do? Would they write the car off for want of a headlight?? Or will they just leave me without a car for months or years? Hope you don’t mind me asking here, but the Vauxhall forums are a bit juvenile… any ideas? Ta
__________________
Past cars: MGB GT; Escort 1300 Sport; Vauxhall VX4/90; Marina Coupe TC; Celica ST (1972); Montego Turbo; Astra GTE 16V; Astra GSI 16V; Golf GTI 16V (Mk II); Sierra XR4x4 Estate; BMW 325i (E30); BMW M3 3.0; BMW M3 3.2 Evo. Left some of the more embarrassing ones out. And about 30 motorbikes. |
6th May 2024, 18:43 | #2 |
Gets stuck in
MG ZT Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Liverpool
Posts: 875
Thanks: 180
Thanked 248 Times in 189 Posts
|
I would assume that as 'Here's the cash for a Headlight'
possibly the cost of fitting and paint repair, then your not their problem. Can't see how they can write it off as I'm guessing the car is worth more than the repairs. As all insurance companies, they are helpful taking your money and obstructive when handing it back.
__________________
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] |
6th May 2024, 20:18 | #3 |
This is my second home
Rover 75 Saloon & Tourer Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Lincoln
Posts: 14,991
Thanks: 1,630
Thanked 3,032 Times in 2,181 Posts
|
Just a suggestion, find out who the ceo of Vauxhall UK is and E-mail them asking for help sourcing a headlight.
macafee2 |
7th May 2024, 06:13 | #4 |
Gets stuck in
Rover 75 Contemporary SE 2.0 Diesel Auto 2005 Facelift Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Norwich
Posts: 618
Thanks: 90
Thanked 67 Times in 47 Posts
|
Roger,
What is so special about the headlights? Could you/insurance buy a complete donor car, I've seen a couple around £1500 https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-det...02405039339934
__________________
Mods Fitted: Cruise Control; FBH with GSM (was FrenchMike's Remote) & dash button; Rear Blind; In-line Thermostat; wired in front & rear cameras; Mercedes DRL +DRL2; twin horns, twin usb power outlets, digital coolant temperature readout, Real Walnut dash, Walnut & black leather steering wheel, Walnut Handbrake grip, Towbar with full Rover harness. Rear seat cup holders. Wanted: Walnut auto gear stick handle Mods to do: all done , need to come up with some more. |
7th May 2024, 09:40 | #5 | ||
Give to Learn
Freelander 2 Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: West Midlands
Posts: 18,819
Thanks: 1,155
Thanked 6,407 Times in 3,874 Posts
|
Quote:
Any good, what model is your car ? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/166735022...3ABFBMqOHOpupj https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/226020192...3ABFBMqOHOpupj https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_f...ight+&_sacat=0
__________________
Arctic Givology Learn to Give Everything is Achievable ad altiora tendo. Check out our Nano meet dates http://www.midlandsnanomeets.co.uk/ http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/index.php?thepage=howto " You do the work , we supply the expertise " |
||
7th May 2024, 10:46 | #6 | |
This is my second home
Rover 75CDT, Jaguar XF-S 3.0V6, V'xhall Omega V6 Estate, Twintop 1.8VVT, Astra Estate and Corsa 1.2 Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 7,113
Thanks: 283
Thanked 624 Times in 440 Posts
|
Quote:
A word of caution. I would not drive the car with an inoperative headlamp during the day as you will not be able to flash other road users etc. If it will not pass an MOT, you expect it will not, the car is not roadworthy. This may void your insurance cover. Alternatively, take it in for an MOT and if it passes with the present condition of the headlamp then that may help your cause in case of another accident etc. Why not take a look on ebay, at AutoDoc etc. for an aftermarket headlamp? Consult the terms of your policy to find out about the cover when the car is not repairable due to non-availability of parts etc.
__________________
Member of the Peasant Underdog Class, Grade 1 |
|
7th May 2024, 15:54 | #7 | ||||
I really should get out more.......
Vauxhall Insignia CDTi; MG TF 135 Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Norn Iron
Posts: 2,970
Thanks: 942
Thanked 378 Times in 297 Posts
|
Quote:
They’re these stupid ones that see round corners etc. I don’t even want this, but it has to be replaced with the correct part number of course. I did suggest getting a pair of simpler ones, but apparently that brings on a permanent dash warning, which is still an MOT failure. And very annoying. Quote:
Yes at least one of them looks right Steve (mine's an Insignia A, 2015, facelift - but there are several different headlight specs) – and I will certainly suggest it to the repair company. Thanks for that, as always. But I sadly fear “procedures” will get in the way of them doing anything so creative… Oh, and so many of those suppliers won't post to NI Quote:
Right. Unfortunately I have very little choice, as there isn't great public transport here, and I’m a carer for my very elderly mother etc. Just have to take my chances. The light does come on sometimes, when it dries out I think, so it’s roadworthy some of the time – who’s to say what state it was in when I hit something? A bit like quantum particles, which only assume a known state when observed Quote:
Yes, and Steve has pointed to a couple. But it’s the repair and insurance companies who are doing that, not me. All I can do is try and point them… No mention of that, sadly.
__________________
Past cars: MGB GT; Escort 1300 Sport; Vauxhall VX4/90; Marina Coupe TC; Celica ST (1972); Montego Turbo; Astra GTE 16V; Astra GSI 16V; Golf GTI 16V (Mk II); Sierra XR4x4 Estate; BMW 325i (E30); BMW M3 3.0; BMW M3 3.2 Evo. Left some of the more embarrassing ones out. And about 30 motorbikes. Last edited by hogweed; 7th May 2024 at 15:58.. |
||||
9th May 2024, 06:45 | #8 |
This is my second home
Rover 75 Saloon & Tourer Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Lincoln
Posts: 14,991
Thanks: 1,630
Thanked 3,032 Times in 2,181 Posts
|
also check the policy for a hire car while yours is in for repair
macafee2 |
9th May 2024, 08:04 | #9 |
Gets stuck in
Rover 75 Contemporary SE 2.0 Diesel Auto 2005 Facelift Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Norwich
Posts: 618
Thanks: 90
Thanked 67 Times in 47 Posts
|
When is the next MOT?
Could YOU buy a headlight from one of Steve's links and fit that to keep the car road legal while the insurance company & Vauxhall pi55 about with the new one?? If it helps, you can get a headlight sent to me and I will forward on to you.
__________________
Mods Fitted: Cruise Control; FBH with GSM (was FrenchMike's Remote) & dash button; Rear Blind; In-line Thermostat; wired in front & rear cameras; Mercedes DRL +DRL2; twin horns, twin usb power outlets, digital coolant temperature readout, Real Walnut dash, Walnut & black leather steering wheel, Walnut Handbrake grip, Towbar with full Rover harness. Rear seat cup holders. Wanted: Walnut auto gear stick handle Mods to do: all done , need to come up with some more. |
9th May 2024, 08:16 | #10 | ||
I really should get out more.......
Vauxhall Insignia CDTi; MG TF 135 Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Norn Iron
Posts: 2,970
Thanks: 942
Thanked 378 Times in 297 Posts
|
Quote:
Buy yes, I may have to ask for it again… Not till October, thankfully – but the light has now failed completely, which means I really don’t want to drive it at night… Quote:
Interesting idea, but having now done a very thorough search on eBay, I can’t find a precise match for mine (HID, funny directional steering, all that rubbish). That's extraordinarily decent of you Sir if it comes to that, I have friends in England, and had already thought about enlisting their help!
__________________
Past cars: MGB GT; Escort 1300 Sport; Vauxhall VX4/90; Marina Coupe TC; Celica ST (1972); Montego Turbo; Astra GTE 16V; Astra GSI 16V; Golf GTI 16V (Mk II); Sierra XR4x4 Estate; BMW 325i (E30); BMW M3 3.0; BMW M3 3.2 Evo. Left some of the more embarrassing ones out. And about 30 motorbikes. |
||
|
|