My 2CV - crashed :(

[Angrydicky]

Sadly this morning I was stationary in a queue of traffic when a young girl in a KA ran into the back of the 2CV. The impact was so great my glasses went flying off and landed on the back seat somehow!

 

Anyway the good news is that she has admitted full liability, she was in tears and very shaken up about it, she took her eyes off the road to look for the wiper switch (it was raining heavily) and WAM.

 

The bad news is that my lovely little Dolly is very badly damaged, the rear panel has been shoved back, the inner wings and boot floor are all crumpled, the exhaust mounts have sheared, and perhaps worst of all, one side of the chassis has actually sheared off (I knew it was on its last legs anyway)

 

Well no doubt there will be an assessor coming round soon, who will almost certainly write it off, I just wonder if there is some way it could be repaired as I have grown very attached to the old thing

 

Here are some pictures of the damage:

 

 

 

 

Any help much appreciated with what I should do next! I'm with Footman James and have never had to do anything like this before

[warren t claim]

Replacement chassis? Easy enough job on a 2CV.

[trigger]

Oh Dicky! That's bad news mate, At least everyone is o.k, Is it worth buying back though?, If they give you a decent pay out you could use that towards for A35?.

 

Oh and make sure you claim for whiplash, I know it's cheeky but everyone does it, It's what you pay your insurance for and it's often worth an extra £1000-2000 on top.

[dollywobbler]

Ouch! Sadly, I know exactly how you feel. This happened to mine 9 months after a full rebuild.

 

Sadly, yours does look quite bad. All the panels can be got, but I'd be very surprised if the chassis isn't damaged.

 

In the meantime, speak to Footman James but DON'T let the car go anywhere just yet. They can assess it at your house. If you need a hire car, you can probably get one gratis from FJ if you speak to them.

 

EDIT - do be careful with your back for a bit, but I'm honest and say don't claim. All well and good claiming your £1000 or so but when everyone does this, premiums shoot up and we all take the hit.

[Angrydicky]

The chassis is badly twisted. It is the original Citroen one and was on its last legs anyway.

 

Re: whiplash, I did have a slight pain in my neck when the car hit me, but it feels ok now, if a little stiff. I tried to go to the out of hours GP but they had a minimum 1 1/2 hour waiting list and the waiting room was full...

 

I suppose you know how attached you get to them DW, and that money is almost no object? I really couldn't bear to see it crushed

[trigger]

You wait until you get up in the morning, That then whiplash hits you!, I got rear ended about 7 years ago whilst in my old Mk 2 Fiesta, My sister in law was in the back was in quite a lot of pain at the time as was my wife who was in the passenger seat.

 

They got between £1500-£2000 each but i didn't claim due to already having one going through for a crash i had a year before when someone pulled out in front of me.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Be aware that if claiming for whiplash, you are waiving your right to complain about the cost of car insurance for ever more.

[Angrydicky]

Well I've just had the father of the girl who hit me on the phone. He said that (despite appearances) her KA is a write off too, with the front crossmember/bonnet/bumper all bent. He is keen to settle without getting the insurance company involved as he doesn't want her (his!) no claims affected.

 

I'm going to have to have a chat with my folks about it I think.

[dollywobbler]

It's true about the day after. Go easy today and be prepared for some stiffness next day. Mind you, after that, I was fine and the impact was so hard in my case that the seat came off the runners! (I think that probably saved my neck - that and the head restraints...). Only problem was, my car was in gear and preceded to drive off while I couldn't reach the pedals...

 

I know exactly how you feel though Dicky. There was never any doubt about saving mine. If you can get a good payout, estimate on c£660 for a chassis, and a good few hundred for the other bits. See here. http://www.ecas2cvparts.co.uk/-c-97_126.html

 

Even the bent inner rear wings and boot floor aren't the end of the world as long as you can find someone who can weld well (with thin metal!).

 

Have you got it in an agreed value? What is that figure if you don't mind me asking?

[Father Ted]

I bet the other company ( the one the KA driver is insured with) want to give you buttons.

Why not speak to some specialist about the repair ( there is that one in Frome though there are probably others) and dont be put off, if they write it off which they will make sure you go with plenty of evidence as to the cost of an equiv year and model 2CV - again the specialists and classic car press be your friends here.

[dollywobbler]

The one in Frome went bust Mr Ted. Bit of a shame as some folk lost thousands of pounds...

 

I'd be wary of cutting out the insurance. This could end up costing quite a bit - £2000 would be a conservative estimate excluding panels.

 

The cheapest way to do it would be to find a non-rotten but otherwise terminal 2CV at somewhere like Copart and cut the back end off to weld onto yours, and bung the whole lot on a new chassis.

[Angrydicky]

 

I know exactly how you feel though Dicky. There was never any doubt about saving mine. If you can get a good payout, estimate on c£660 for a chassis, and a good few hundred for the other bits. See here. http://www.ecas2cvparts.co.uk/-c-97_126.html

 

Even the bent inner rear wings and boot floor aren't the end of the world as long as you can find someone who can weld well (with thin metal!).

 

Have you got it in an agreed value? What is that figure if you don't mind me asking?

It is with FJ but I never filled out the agreed value paperwork. My dad can weld and I can panelbeat/form repair sections so that's not really a problem.

 

At an estimate it's going to need a new boot floor, inner and outer wings, bumper, lights, exhaust mounts, and of course a chassis.

[Angrydicky]

There is a 2CV specialist in Southend, who advertises insurance repairs...

 

Trouble is, I won't be able to contact him before Monday now, and isn't there a 24 hour deadline for reporting the accident to the insurance company?

[trigger]

I think all insurance companies have different times to report a accident but I'm sure it's longer then 24 hours as many companies aren't open 24/7.

 

I'd be inclined to go through the insurance company still, Unless he is going to give you a very good deal which i doubt, you could end up out of pocket in the long run.

[Father Ted]

I rather suspect the other party is thinking "old motor - a few hundred should cover it..."

I would go via their insurance company but then I had very very bad experience with Direct Line (were my company at the time) when I claimed via them for a non fault claim. Since then I have dealt directly with the third parties company and not touched my own when dealing with a claim.

 

I didnt know about that 2CV company in Frome going bang. But then my 2CVGB membership lapsed a few years ago now.

[Mike D]

I'd be very wary about not getting the insurance involved, i'd inform yours as a precaution... Ive had it before and the bloke just disappeared and I never got owt......

 

I'd think the bloke would be looking at getting you another 2CV realistically, yours, although seeming a bit rusty, was on the road and working, and that's what i'd be wanting back.. If he doesnt want to go through the insurance he needs to play by the big boys 'you break it, you replace it' rules

[Mr Lobster]

That does look quite bad unfortunately. Ultimately everything is repairable though so if you can get your insurer to pay out and let you retain it then all well and good.

 

I'd be very wary of the father saying he doesn't want it going through insurance - in my experience this almost always leads to trouble one way or another.

[Rod/b]

I'd go through the insurance. What's the betting the girl is on his policy and he hasn't got protected NCB?

[Rod/b]

Will be a good lesson for the girl too. No doubt she's used to Daddy bailing her out.

[trigger]

When i was hit the young lad who drove into me offered me £80 to repair my car which i stupidly agreed at the time (I put this down to shock), he told me he'll give it to me the next day and gave me all his details etc.

 

The next day i get a nasty phone call of his dad having a go and swearing at me telling me that it was my fault, Once i explained that in fact i was parked at the traffic light and that his precious son was racing down a hill to fast and couldn't stop in time he started to change his tune apologising for him.

 

Sadly for him the damage was done and i went though the insurance company instead, It was the best thing i did, I got £300 for the car which only cost me £150 plus the wife and her sister got there payout as well.

[Angrydicky]

Well I've just spoken to Dave Winchester of Southend based 2CV Services (his card was in the history file). He basically confirmed everything that has been said here, he actually drove past the car when it was sitting on the pavement following the accident. He is 100% certain the insurance company will write it off, in his opinion it would be better going through the insurance, and he says while the back panel might be difficult and expensive to repair he thinks the boot floor could be straightened out and the back panel replaced, although the main expense would be the chassis....he has offered to have a look at it Tuesday.

 

Still no folks back yet, but unless the chap makes a very decent offer I'll be going through the insurance. The family were clearly not short of money, the (newish) KA had a personal plate on it, as did the BMW Z3 convertible her mum turned up in! While I feel sorry for them, I'm not prepared to end up out of pocket and I am stuck with no transport now as the A35 is in pieces for serious welding having failed its MOT...

[chaseracer]

Go through her insurer. HERS - that is why she has insurance. Do not be taken in by any sob stories from Daddy. Do not be persuaded to claim on your policy and "sort it out later".

 

You are the injured party, you should not suffer any loss. As mentioned, do not allow your car to be taken away - the assessor must come to you at a convenient time.

 

Do not accept the first offer. If you are a member of 2CVGB (other Citroen clubs are available...) involve the Registrars who will assist and advise.

 

Inform your insurance company, but make it clear that you are NOT claiming on your policy.

 

Have you been checked over medically?

[dollywobbler]

In effect, you are claiming on your insurance, but on the understanding that they'll recover all costs from the other party. They'll have that conversation pretty early on (as I well know from experience) and after that, I could take the car where I wanted (they invoiced the insurance company after they approved the repairs) and that all important hire car was offered.

[Angrydicky]

Go through her insurer. HERS - that is why she has insurance. Do not be taken in by any sob stories from Daddy. Do not be persuaded to claim on your policy and "sort it out later".

 

You are the injured party, you should not suffer any loss. As mentioned, do not allow your car to be taken away - the assessor must come to you at a convenient time.

 

Do not accept the first offer. If you are a member of 2CVGB (other Citroen clubs are available...) involve the Registrars who will assist and advise.

 

Inform your insurance company, but make it clear that you are NOT claiming on your policy.

 

Have you been checked over medically?

She is a named driver on her dad's policy. I haven't been checked over yet no...

 

Dave told me not to let anyone take the car away, as they will charge storage.

 

No I'm not a member of the 2CV GB, I had intended to join but never got round to it...

 

Thanks for the advice. I will contact Footman James.

[DCLane]

Well I've just had the father of the girl who hit me on the phone. He said that (despite appearances) her KA is a write off too, with the front crossmember/bonnet/bumper all bent. He is keen to settle without getting the insurance company involved as he doesn't want her (his!) no claims affected..

Thought he would

 

Basically he doesn't want the premiums going up and thinks he can bung you a couple of hundred to keep quiet.

 

I'd strongly recommend you go through the insurance company, otherwise you may find they disappear shortly.

[scaryoldcortina]

Yeah, it's all very familiar sounding.... as said above, you are the innocent third party - hit from behind while stationary is about as clear cut as it gets, particularly with the admission of guilt ALL costs to you (including injury, time off work, hire car) can be claimed from the other driver's insurance without affecting yours at all. You even have the right to insist the car is repaired to pre-accident condition regardless of value or cost.

 

Good luck!

[retrogeezer]

So the mum drives a Z3 and he drives a Ka!! Yeh, sure he does.

 

Thats a clear case of Ka bought and insured in fathers name with her as a named driver and he is supposed to be the 'main' driver of the car.

 

No wonder they don't want to go through insurance.

 

And why the feck didn't she put on the wipers BEFORE driving in pouring rain....jeez, some people don't have the brains they are born with. And who needs to take their eyes off the road to flick a switch on the steering column??

 

Real shame about the car, there was also that 2CV place near High Bickington in Devon, has that gone as well??

[Angrydicky]

So the mum drives a Z3 and he drives a Ka!! Yeh, sure he does.

 

Thats a clear case of Ka bought and insured in fathers name with her as a named driver and he is supposed to be the 'main' driver of the car.

 

No wonder they don't want to go through insurance.

 

And why the feck didn't she put on the wipers BEFORE driving in pouring rain....jeez, some people don't have the brains they are born with. And who needs to take their eyes off the road to flick a switch on the steering column??

 

Real shame about the car, there was also that 2CV place near High Bickington in Devon, has that gone as well??

Yup, that's exactly it RG. Fortunately I have their name/address, phone numbers, and insurance details (Diamond Insurance).

 

Anyone had any experience with Diamond?

[scaryoldcortina]

Diamond is the girlie only branch of Admiral insurance (probably not insured in daddy's name then).. as a third party you shouldn't have any trouble, their hands are tied, tbh.

[dollywobbler]

Wouldn't even speak to Diamond TBH. Your port of call is through your insurance company. Speak to them and they'll do the legwork and should provide a hire car. You can then get the car sorted.