Petra Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 We picked up our brand new motorhome yesterday, went to fill it up with diesel half an hour later and whilst paying for fuel an idiotic female in an Audi TT ran into the back of it!! The back and side panels are split and the assessor is coming out tomorrow. He says if a repair is undertaken that the manufacturer probably wont honour the guarantees. We want a new motorhome. They said it does not work like that!! Has anyone else had any similar experience and if so how did they resolve it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
t5tripper Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 Oh crikey, this is really very unlucky and you must be gutted ! ! ! How awful, you have my sympathy, hope it soon gets sorted out, sorry can't give you any advice :-( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hallii Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 Advice:- Get some professional help as soon as possible, you need a solicitor and an independent insurance assessor at the very least. I had a new car that was badly damaged, after my experts reported and a solicitors letter the other parties insurance purchased a new identical car for me and delivered it. You should not be left in a worse off situation, and the loss of the warranty is worse off. Good luck Hallii Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Jones Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 Oh dear, it doesn't get much worse than this does it? Presumably the "manufacturer"referred to is the converter, as the base vehicle mfrs will be quite used to insurance work on vehicles which are under warranty. So .... it seems to me you need to insist that the insurers get the converters, or a firm approved by them, to do the work, and make it "good as new." You'll have to pay any excess of course (until you get it off the Audiette in question), and there will probably be some delay, but don't accept anything less than a repair which is pre-approved by both the base vehicle mfr and the converter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keithl Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 And then get a full width Tow Bar fitted so it can't happen again! Something like this (but maybe without the brushes). Keith. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 That sounds just about the most annoying thing imaginable!Don't forget that the driver of the Audi, and not just her insurer, remains responsible for your loss. If the accident would leave you out of pocket to any extent, that loss is recoverable from her, even if her insurance won't cough. You'd probably have to sue privately, so make sure you have all necessary details, and get everything in writing, and a lot of photographs, so that, if necessary, you have the necessary evidence. However, your own insurance may have provision for recovering your uninsured losses.I suggest you contact whoever is the UK agent for Chausson, possibly Trigano, (your supplier can probably help you with this) and try to find out what they would do with a new van that was damaged on delivery. See if you van get an e-mail contact, and send them the pics. It may be the case that it could be returned to the factory, for example. At the same time, find out whether they have approved repairers in UK, and what their attitude will be to their warranty, including any water ingress warranty.I would be inclined to see if your dealer, or the importer, use, or know of, specialist motorhome loss adjusters since your insurer's loss adjuster may not be aware how slow and costly motorhome repairs can be, may be unaware of the warranty conditions that are peculiar to motorhomes, and may grossly underestimate the cost of making a proper repair that returns you to the status quo ante, which is where you are entitled to be.If a repair can be made, you won't get a new van unless the cost of that repair exceeds a pre-determined proportion of the value of the van. I guess you will have looked at your policy to see what it says about replacement with new during the first year after registration. I wouldn't expect them to move from that.I do hope it all comes right, and you get it sorted out to your satisfaction without too much heartache and delay.Further thought, many filling stations have CCTV in case of "drive offs". I assume they will have been aware of the incident, and wonder if you can get a copy of the tape recording of the incident, if such exists. You'll need to contact them pronto, because many such installations only hold a loop tape which is endlessly overwritten after a period of time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 our camper was hit 7 years ago and the other persons insurer hired us a coachbuilt for our booked month trip to Spain. Sorry but new for old unlikely and unrealistic me thinks :-S just insist that manufacturer repair it or one of their authorised repairers, your out of pocket expenses will be covered as well. I would not accept anything less then as good as new, however long it takes, and a hire van in the meantime.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhorsf Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 Tony Jones - 2010-11-02 5:20 PM Oh dear, it doesn't get much worse than this does it? First of all nobody was hurt that is much worse get legal advice do not be fobbed off with the other persons insurance offers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petra Posted November 2, 2010 Author Share Posted November 2, 2010 Thanks to everyone who has replied. Luckily the Audiette has accepted full responsibility and her insurance company have already been in touch offering a replacement van whilst ours gets repaired. Our new van is an Autotrail Excel so did wonder whether we should contact Autotrail but our assessor does not think that they would get involved with repairs. He is coming tomorrow and will have to see what he says when he has seen the van. I think we will get in touch with Autotrail anyway and see what they say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lennyhb Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 That's a real bummer, you should try & get the manufacturer to do the repairs then there will be no warranty problems. I know Hymer that vans back to the factory for serious repairs so I assume other manufacturers would. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flicka Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 Such rotten luck, Petra, but as others said at least no one injured. It could be worthwhile contacting Autotrail, as they are part of the same group as Chausson (Trigano). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 Do exactly that! contact the manufacturer directly yourself! The accessor will try and steer you toward their own repairer conected to the insurer. Only except one authorised by the manufacturer .. it is your choice not theirs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 Petra - 2010-11-02 7:40 PM Our new van is an Autotrail Excel so did wonder whether we should contact Autotrail but our assessor does not think that they would get involved with repairs. I think we will get in touch with Autotrail anyway and see what they say. In this instant I would definately get in touch with Autotrail and your dealer to ensure that they approve of whomever repairs the van so that the warenty is honoured. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flicka Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 flicka - 2010-11-02 8:12 PM Such rotten luck, Petra, but as others said at least no one injured. It could be worthwhile contacting Autotrail, as they are part of the same group as Chausson (Trigano). OOP's sorry Petra, i was looking at your old van details on the left of your post when I responded. Regarding Autotrail, It's a must that you contact them IMO and fortunately they should be one of the nearest locations to you (Grimsby), who would be capable of the repairs. Their in-house Repair Centre has received good reports from Forum members. Auto Trail VR Ltd Trigano House Genesis Way Europarc Grimsby North East Lincolnshire DN37 9TU Tel: +44 (0)1472 571000 Fax: +44 (0)1472 571001 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keithl Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 Petra - 2010-11-02 7:40 PM Thanks to everyone who has replied. Luckily the Audiette has accepted full responsibility and her insurance company have already been in touch offering a replacement van whilst ours gets repaired. Our new van is an Autotrail Excel so did wonder whether we should contact Autotrail but our assessor does not think that they would get involved with repairs. He is coming tomorrow and will have to see what he says when he has seen the van. I think we will get in touch with Autotrail anyway and see what they say. Petra, Auto-Trail now have their own service repair centre at Grimsby and by all words it comes highly recommended! You can contact them through their Website where you can also get their phone number and address. In view of how short a time you have had the MH I would strongly suggest at least talking to them before you let any other repairer loose on it. Keith. Edit. Flicka beat me to it while I was typing! But it shows that great minds think alike ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel B Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 Really sorry to hear of your damaged van - what a rotten thing to happen. Firstly, get in touch with Autotrail first thing tomorrow and explain the situation to them - they have a very good reputation for looking after owners and I would be extremely surprised if they were unwilling to undertake the repair for you. When our motorhome was 'attacked' we had to find our own repairer (F&M Caravans in Hull who did a stonking job). It's not like car repairs where the insurance company have a list of approved places, you normally have to find your own and they will then agree to the work being undertaken once you've got an estimate. At least once you've spoken with Autotrail you'll have a much better idea of what to say when the assessor arrives - he might try to get you to use someone he wants you to if they do have a repairer 'on the books' (they'll most likely have preferential rates), but I'd certainly want it repaired by the main manufacturer if that was a possiblity to avoid any future warranty problems and you'd know it was done exactly as it should be. Remember that you are the injured party and you need to make sure you are getting it sorted out to YOUR satisfaction, not what the insurance company want to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keithl Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 Petra, Another thought, are you in any of the motoring clubs such as AA, RAC or even Caravan Club or Camping & Caravanning Club? If so seek advice from their legal bods BEFORE the assessor arrives so you know exactly what your rights are as to where to get YOUR MH repaired. Remember it's your MH and you should have final say as to where to get it repaired! Keith. PS. Very sorry to hear of your misfortune and I hope you get it sorted quickly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan k Posted November 3, 2010 Share Posted November 3, 2010 Nearly as bad but not quite, our new (3 weeks and 400 miles) van went to a Ford dealer on Monday for some very minor warranty work. The service guy managed to hit the gate post with it! and put a hole in the side of it, I'm awaiting the results of the garage insurance assessor's visit. The Service Manager agrees it needs to be repaired by an approved Hobby Repairer to maintain the Bodywork guarentee. alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LordThornber Posted November 3, 2010 Share Posted November 3, 2010 Alan, Petra, sorry to read of your rotten luck. I hope you can both look forward to having your vans fixed and for them to be as good as new. Because that's what they are, aren't they :-D Martyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petra Posted November 3, 2010 Author Share Posted November 3, 2010 After your comments we decided to contact Autotrail and they confirmed they have a repair centre and would be able to guarantee that any work done would not invalidate the warranty. We told this to the assessor when he arrived and he was happy enough for this to happen. He had not realised Autotrail was English. He has since spoken to Autotrail service and repairs manager and arranged for us to take it over and get an estimate and will then hopefully authorise the repairs. He thinks it will only be a 3 or 4 day job but realised that more damage may be evident once they remove the side skirts. Thanks for everyone's comments and sympathies but I still want to kill her!!! :'( :'( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted November 3, 2010 Share Posted November 3, 2010 Great news. Would obviously have been better had it never happened, but at least this should guarantee a proper return to as new condition. Under the circumstances, the best possible outcome.I'd hold off killing her 'till after all repairs are satisfactorily completed though, I reckon she's (just!) worth more to you alive than dead for the time being! :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keithl Posted November 3, 2010 Share Posted November 3, 2010 And then when it's fixed seriously look at a getting a solid rear bumper fitted! During the summer we met the owners of a 2006 Auto-Trail Tracker who had had a car run into the back of them in near stationary traffic around York and I was amazed at the damage their MH had suffered. They looked at the towbar on ours and wished they had had one fitted! Ours was fitted by Towtal hence why I posted a link to their website previously. Keith. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pelmetman Posted November 3, 2010 Share Posted November 3, 2010 Sounds like you have managed to sort it :D nothing worse than having your pride and joy damaged :'( Reminds me of my works van, paid through the nose for it with all the extra's *-) After I picked it up I went to my first job to measure for curtains, and whilst at the front window watched a learner driver reverse into it 8-) Not a lot of damage but it was only 2 hours old!!!!! so booked it in with the main dealer for repair, and left them to sort the insurance. Had a irate phone call from the father of the learner driver as he had seen the quote for the repair which I had not, it did seem high 8-) In the end my dealer had to reduce their quote to the insurance company, I suspect milking insurance claims is a useful sideline >:-) Picked the van up after repair and noticed next day a bit of trim had not been refitted properly so booked back in *-) Collected later in the day and the manager brought it out and parked it with the nearside close to some cars so, as I realised after! So I would not look at that side >:-( Jumped in the van in the morning went of to my first job went unload my tools from the side door and found a dent all the way down the nearside >:-( I was fuming and soon as I finished went straight back to the dealers workshop who denied it 8-) unfortunatly they forgot to remove the paint from the barrier that they hit with my van >:-) I still have the van which I have kept in spite of a book worth of problems, needless to say I will never cross the threshold of a (Ford in Colchester) main dealer again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Madge Posted November 3, 2010 Share Posted November 3, 2010 Hi Petra, Very sorry to hear of your tale of woe. All those years in Crete and you get clobbered on a UK garage forecourt. Hope all goes well. Regards don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike B. Posted November 4, 2010 Share Posted November 4, 2010 Keithl - 2010-11-02 6:00 PM And then get a full width Tow Bar fitted so it can't happen again! Something like this (but maybe without the brushes). Keith. I've got a towbar on mine but still managed to wreck my light and bumper!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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