Help needed

Gary DRB replied on 08/04/2018 17:28

Gary DRB

Posted on 08/04/2018 17:28

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!!

24 replies

replied on 08/04/2018 20:05

Posted on 08/04/2018 20:05

The user and all related content has been Deleted User

neveramsure replied on 08/04/2018 20:10

neveramsure

Posted on 08/04/2018 20:05 by

Just a quick note from the insurance point of view. You were hit from behind and presumably driven into the person in front. The insurer of the vehicle in front will claim from your insurance. That claim will in turn be added to your insurers claim against the insurer of the vehicle that shunted you and so on up and down the chain. It's a nightmare with a good insurer on your side and I wish you well with yours.

I can understand the comment by your insurer regarding their assessors but they should have a list of assessors that can do the job. It is not up to you to find one. However, if they insist you should get their instructions in writing including their commitment to pay for the service.

Posted on 08/04/2018 20:10

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.

replied on 08/04/2018 20:18

Posted on 08/04/2018 20:10 by neveramsure

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.

Posted on 08/04/2018 20:18

The user and all related content has been Deleted User

Gary DRB replied on 08/04/2018 21:00

Member

Gary DRB

Motorhomer

Posted on 08/04/2018 21:00

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?

Gary DRB replied on 08/04/2018 21:06

Member

Gary DRB

Motorhomer

Posted on 08/04/2018 21:06

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.

Daisy2 replied on 08/04/2018 21:12

Daisy2

Motorhomer

Posted on 08/04/2018 21:12

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.

KeithandMargaret replied on 09/04/2018 13:27

Member

KeithandMargaret

Motorhomer

Posted on 09/04/2018 13:27

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.

Gary DRB replied on 09/04/2018 15:12

Member

Gary DRB

Motorhomer

Posted on 09/04/2018 15:12

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!!!!