Pheasant damage on my 3 week old VZ3 CUPRA Leon!!!!

[Cupra Newbie]

Hey Guys - unfortunately I hit a pheasant yesterday, the bloody thing just ran out in front of me leaving me with no time to react! It has cracked the lower grill and plastic square box, which presumably houses the 'front assist' sensor. Gutted, as the car isn't even a month old yet! Fortunately the damage appears isolated to the picture - no body / paint work damage, I am getting warning signs on the dash for 'impaired front assist sensor' and also now 'proactive occupant protection system restricted'. I will phone my local dealer tomorrow and see if I can get it looked and the grill replaced...

Has anyone experienced a similar issue / has any thoughts on what this could cost? It does appear that the plastic grill can be separated from the bumper so I am hoping it won't set me back too much...

 

[rafletcher]

Claim on your insurance?

 

[nameless]

You can have it separatly

 

[Seriously?]

Just to note that I think as mentioned in another similar post, it's not just a case of getting the part replaced; it needs to be recalibrated

 

[martin j.]

Seems a reasonable price.

 

[Cupra Newbie]

Update - took it to the dealer today; unfortunately the radar sensor needs replacing and therefore would need calibrating, costs ~£350 +VAT, also a small crack to a section of the bumper under the number plate (I didn't even notice it), which apparently comes pre painted and is £99, then the actual plastic grill is only £25! All in all, with labour costs looking at £900...
Now a conundrum, whether I contact the insurance; not sure where they'd send the car to be repaired and then there is the increased hassle factor of getting it assessed. I do have protected no claims, but could this still impact by premium next year... not to mention I have a £260 excess. Ahhhh!

 

[SRGTD]

Update - took it to the dealer today; unfortunately the radar sensor needs replacing and therefore would need calibrating, costs ~£350 +VAT, also a small crack to a section of the bumper under the number plate (I didn't even notice it), which apparently comes pre painted and is £99, then the actual plastic grill is only £25! All in all, with labour costs looking at £900...
Now a conundrum, whether I contact the insurance; not sure where they'd send the car to be repaired and then there is the increased hassle factor of getting it assessed. I do have protected no claims, but could this still impact by premium next year... not to mention I have a £260 excess. Ahhhh!

Protecting your no claims discount doesn’t stop your insurer increasing your premium if you claim.

As to where your insurer would send your car for repairs - their preference will be for it to go to one of their network of recommended repairers, because they’ll have agreed discounted repair rates with their recommended repairers to help manage / control the overall cost of repairs. However, it should state in the small print of your policy that you don’t have to use an insurer recommended repairer and you’re free to use a repairer of your choice, but if you do;

• You’ll probably forfeit any right you may have to the use of a courtesy car while your car is being repaired
• Repairs carried out by a non insurer-approved repairer may be subject to a higher excess.

The above is a fairly standard approach by insurance companies in the UK, but you’d need to check the terms of your policy to see if your insurer follows this approach or a different one.

 

[Cupra Newbie]

Protecting your no claims discount doesn’t stop your insurer increasing your premium if you claim.

As to where your insurer would send your car for repairs - their preference will be for it to go to one of their network of recommended repairers, because they’ll have agreed discounted repair rates with their recommended repairers to help manage / control the overall cost of repairs. However, it should state in the small print of your policy that you don’t have to use an insurer recommended repairer and you’re free to use a repairer of your choice, but if you do;

• You’ll probably forfeit any right you may have to the use of a courtesy car while your car is being repaired
• Repairs carried out by a non insurer-approved repairer may be subject to a higher excess.

The above is a fairly standard approach by insurance companies in the UK, but you’d need to check the terms of your policy to see if your insurer follows this approach or a different one.

Thank you, that’s really helpful! I do wonder then, what is the point of paying for protected no claims if your premium can still increase if you make a claim?

 

[SRGTD]

Thank you, that’s really helpful! I do wonder then, what is the point of paying for protected no claims if your premium can still increase if you make a claim?

A good article by Which? at the link below which explains it much better than I could! ?. The section on the impact of claims on protected no claims discount is towards the end of the article.

Best car insurance for a no-claims bonus - Which?

We reveal top insurers and policies if you're looking for a no-claims discount or bonus, and explain whether to pay for no claims bonus protection

www.which.co.uk

 

[rafletcher]

And a note from me to say that claims don't always increase the premium the next year, especially a "no fault" first claim. In fact, even small "at fault" ones don't seem to have much affected mine in the past. But I've always carried a low excess, so most repairs have been a no brainer to go through the approved repairer route.

 

[wibble]

Just take the hit - insurance companies are vultures and will get the money back off you somehow anyway - what a hassle

 

[Cupra Newbie]

Agreed - booking it in; fortunately the dealer is willing to allow me to spread the cost over 6 months at 0% - at least it won't seem that bad that way! Only issue is of course the Cupra parts are on backorder and will likely take weeks to get here...