Take Care with insurance work

[Dan_]

Hey Guys,

Just a heads up for everyone. The car below was involved in a very minor accident and was sent off to be repaired. The owner had no choice of repairer. The insurer is AAMI.

The work that was performed included filling and painting the bonnet, replacing a headlight, reattaching the bottom lip and spraying the front bar.

It was returned in the below state, which in my opinion is just not on. i prepared the below report for the owner to forward to the insurance company to hopefully have the issues sorted.

Moral of the story. If you cant choose your repairer try and see some of their past work. if you cant do that then make sure you get a warranty on the repairs and note and marks before you take the car in. Also go over it with a fine tooth comb when you get it back.

To Whom It May Concern,
This report has been prepared to highlight a number of defects that are present as a direct result of poor workmanship during the course of repair for vehicle GTI-xxx (2008 VW Golf GTI Pirelli).
There are three main issues with the quality of the repair. These are
1. Paint Runs
2. Damaged Rubbers
3. Buffer marks/holograms
Issues 1 and 2 are of most concern as the vehicle will need to be returned to a panel shop to have them rectified.
Please see Diagram 1 and 2, which highlight the paint runs on the lower section of the lip. Due to the location and construction of the lip it will need to be completely repainted to achieve a satisfactory result.
Diagram 1
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x177/aus_e36/STpaintrun1.jpg
Diagram 2
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x177/aus_e36/STPaintRun2.jpg

During the course of buffing the freshly painted surface the operator was careless and the buffing pad came into contact with the rubbers adjacent to the front windscreen. This has caused irreparable damage and as such these rubbers will need to be replaced. Please see Diagrams 3, 4 and 5 for examples of this.
Diagram 3
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x177/aus_e36/STburntrubbers1.jpg

Diagram 4
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x177/aus_e36/STburntrubbers2.jpg

Diagram 5
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x177/aus_e36/STburntrubbers3.jpg

The buffer marks/holograms are less of an issue as I am able to remove these without issue. I just wish to highlight them as it is further proof that the job was rushed or carried out with any attention to detail or skill. Diagrams 6 and 7 show two of the worst marks.

Diagram 6
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x177/aus_e36/STholograms1.jpg

Diagram 7
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x177/aus_e36/STholograms5.jpg

Should you have any questions relating to this report or should you wish to discuss it further please do not hesitate to contact me on 0422 074 079 or via info@dmsdetailing.com.au

Kind regards,

Dan Masi
Owner
DMS Detailing

[bok1]

wow that is some rubbish work thats for sure.i hope the owner of the ve gets it sorted as that is unacetable.

phil

[god084]

Some people just don't care do they. Poor effort

[firebug]

I'm no detailer but blind freddy could see that this is a lousey job. (appologies to any Freds with vision imparement issues).

I ended up with some under bonnet overspray after my repairs to the SS. I didn't notice them until a couple of weeks after I got the car back, and I was treated so well during the repairs that I didn't have the heart to go back and complain...

[Duffman]

I'll be picking my car up from the smash repairers this afternoon. I'm going to have a damn good look at the work before I leave that's for sure. Anything like that and they'll be doing it again.

[Aeron]

I hear a lot of bad stuff about AAMI. I had a teacher at school with a BMW and he was with AAMI and when he got the car back it had over spray all over the engine. Also the parts that had been painted were in a cream colour........ not white, like the rest of the car.

Scary stuff...

[Muncha]

Being in the smash repair industry i see a lot of this unfortunately.

Make sure you read your PDS from the insurance company very closely. There are a lot of things out there that would surprise people.

The insurance company in question deals with your car in a way i wouldn't be happy with. Your car goes into their centre, they get a couple of quotes and who ever is the cheapest gets the job. So in return the repairer has to to the job as quickly and cheaply as possible to make any money. I'm not saying the above work is acceptable, but it does happen out there.

Also, most insurance pay rates are around the $30 per hour mark. Out of that the repairer has to pay the worker, pay for the materials they use, pay their rent, tax, super, etc etc. That is one of the reasons for the lower quality jobs, the companies doing them cant afford to do it properly because they will be out of business if they spend to much time on each car.

Other Insurance companies i know of, have a replacement part program where once the car is out of its new car warranty, they can use aftermarket parts on your car. So your 3 year old car, fresh out of its warranty period, still in perfect condition, can have aftermarket or 2nd hand parts from Taiwan/china etc instead of the genuine part fitted.

My best advice would be to go with a insurance company that lets you have a choice of repairer, and go with a repairer that you know and you can check their work

[BLK 1T]

Cary
You are spot on with those comments.
A few years ago I moved our fleet insurance from NRMA to Allianz on the basis that NRMA removed choice of repairer from their policy. NRMA has since reinstated choice of repairer to their policies - I think they realised it was a costly error.
Threads come up from time to time regarding cost of insurance, price of premium is only one factor.
Unfortunately it is difficult to compare how well / badly a companies customer service will be until you make a claim.
One of our personal cars was stolen from home last week (seems to be a pro job) - I await an outcome from NRMA.
How long is a reasonable time to wait before paying out? (I dont know, 2-4 weeks seems OK to me). NRMA say minimum 2 weeks - maximum ????? (decided on a case by case basis. This is an area where it could be difficult to compare different insurance companies.
Its a right PITA being a car short.

In Dans case above it will be interesting to see how much help the insurer provides in getting the job right.


Phil

[Muncha]

Not sure what the deal is with stolen cars, but 2-3 weeks does sound familiar.

With the job above, the insurance company probably wouldn't really do much at the start. The company that did the job in most cases has 2 chances to correct any faults. If there is still a problem with the quality of the repairs the car may be sent to another shop to be rectified, with the first shop paying the bill.

As for NRMA, no comment. Though i may or may not have been part of protests out the front of their building in the city a few years ago. :angel:

[god084]

If the car is stolen I'd be saying after two weeks were the fek is my pay out or a new car if its still inside the new for old replacement policy.

As for NRMA I am insured with them and apart from the sky rocket high premiums (I'm 25 and pay 2200 a year for a VY SS ute) I have had no dramas. I always use choice of repairer though an go over my car like a fine tooth comb. Its a pity that due to Insurance companies pushing to save every penny that smash repairers are forced to rush jobs which in turn can cost them more time and money when they are required to repair it.

Surely they could look at the customers and the cars they drive and think to themselves "this guy seems to be a car enthusiast so lets get this one right". Not saying thats acceptable but would probably save them a lot of hassles

[WOMBIE]

Nicely done with the report Dan and I do hope the owner gets the outcome he/she deserves regarding repairs because that is just crap workmanship and to think the owner of said shop let it go out like that.......fuckhead :rocket:


I'm by no means a detailer but man I recon that I could get job as one if that's the standard of some shops :werd:

[Dan_]

Nicely done with the report Dan and I do hope the owner gets the outcome he/she deserves regarding repairs because that is just crap workmanship and to think the owner of said shop let it go out like that.......fuckhead :rocket:


I'm by no means a detailer but man I recon that I could get job as one if that's the standard of some shops :werd:

Thanks mate.

Sorry mate, you couldnt get a job as one. You would be to good :buffer:

[BOMI]

Dan, nice report, however I would get the owner to send that as if they had written it. WHy you ask, well if it comes from you the insurer may well say that you cuased the buffer marks, they are dodgy pricks and I could well imagine them saying that.

We all know the fine detailed work you do so that no prob but the insurer, well....pricks! My two cents.

Let us know how he gets on with the poor workmanship mate.


Troy :)

[BLK 1T]

As for NRMA I am insured with them and apart from the sky rocket high premiums (I'm 25 and pay 2200 a year for a VY SS ute) I have had no dramas. I always use choice of repairer though an go over my car like a fine tooth comb. Its a pity that due to Insurance companies pushing to save every penny that smash repairers are forced to rush jobs which in turn can cost them more time and money when they are required to repair it.


You forgot the third part of the equation High Premium + cheap repair = happy shareholder. Much more imprtant to keep the shareholders happy than the customers.
Or am I too cynical.

Phil

[WOMBIE]

I would gladly give up my shares if it meant I would receive a quality repair if I ever needed one.

[BLK 1T]

Regarding the stolen car above, NRMA called to say I will get the payout in the next 2-3days. About 12-14days after the car was stolen, thats pretty good I think.

BUT
less $600 excess, less balance of policy premium - they keep the whole 12months worth that was only renewed 2 months ago - on pay by the month so $800odd off the payout.
Add to that 2 new tyres $500 worth about a month ago, about $800 worth of WSP suspension work at Xmas time, $40 deposit on new toll pass and costs involved in buying a new car it would almost be worth insuring a car for $2k more than its value. Especially if you had a hire car cost as well. Not sure how they feel about that though.

Phil

[Cogswapper]

Ive been insured with AAMI for years and if you want to get your own repairer you just have to leave your car at the AAMI inspection place and state you want it repaired by so and so, you only need one quote, and your repairer will pick it up from AAMI, never a good idea leaving your car with someone you dont know.

Wade

[VooDoo]

I would gladly give up my shares if it meant I would receive a quality repair if I ever needed one.

Shannons.

I pick any repairer i want, take it to them and they ring me when its done. When i crashed the GTO a few yrs back it was 16k repair and id challenge anyone to see what was actually done (perfect job)

[WOMBIE]

Shannons.

I pick any repairer i want, take it to them and they ring me when its done. When i crashed the GTO a few yrs back it was 16k repair and id challenge anyone to see what was actually done (perfect job)

Stu I tried Shannons but they wouldn't insure me because I don't have a garage.I do have a "secured carport" as such and an almost unblemished driving and insurance history of 28 years (1 claim at fault and 1 speeding fine) and I was able to provide them with all relevant documents but it was not deemed good enough......it always came back to not having a garage :dunno:

[VooDoo]

Stu I tried Shannons but they wouldn't insure me because I don't have a garage.I do have a "secured carport" as such and an almost unblemished driving and insurance history of 28 years (1 claim at fault and 1 speeding fine) and I was able to provide them with all relevant documents but it was not deemed good enough......it always came back to not having a garage :dunno:

If it has a door and secure sides its a garage. (like mine). When you are asked if you have a garage you reply YES. Your interpretation of a garage is that its secure (they also like items like a camera on the car etc)