10 replies to this topic

[minisilverbullet]

My mini has been of the road for a couple of weeks after i hit a rock that for some reason was lying in the middle of the road.

From the damage it has hit the front of the sump casing, travelled back towards the rear wheel where it has cracked the Alloy wheel.

Now I am currently having a nightmare with insurance companies over my normal car - Alfa 147 which was hit from behind while we where stopped at a set of light. seems pretty clear cut accident, but insurance companies deal with things in their special way as, some of you will be aware.

Anyway, due to this I didn't really have the heart to claim for hitting the rock. I have a 300 quid excess and couldn't really be bothered with all their garbage.
But fro piece of mind, i will be claiming.

I had a look at the underside today, and it is apparent i was quite lucky not to crack the gear box. Although it is damaged. Has this weakened the casing? I would say yes, as if an identical incident where to happen, because of the lost material it would likely crack next time. Whats peoples advice on this? insurance should replace/repair the car to the standard it was before the accident, this would mean replacing the casing. How much would this cost?

Secondly, I assume the rock has scrapped the underside of the car, so this will also need to be seen too, it may have removed some stone chip etc. Opinions again please.

The rear suspension must have taken a fair whack, also which I would like to have professionally checked, may include damage to the radius arm and or rear sub frame. Opinions again

And of course the cost of a new wheel and tyre.

Anything else to consider?

And any other opinions would be greatly received.

I pay a small fortune for the insurance, and here like in the UK will loose my no claims bonus , which is only 2 years anyway.

Phew,,,,,, that was a long one!

Cheers Craig

Edited by minisilverbullet, 21 February 2011 - 09:22 PM.

[Cater_Racer]

I'd say you got away with the sump damage, fit a sump guard to stop a secondary impact in the same area, £70 well spent.

I repaint the bottom of the car with POR15 after cleaning with Metal Ready, after a gravel rally. Works fine.

Check brake pipes and fuel lines!!!

Edited by Cater_Racer, 21 February 2011 - 09:50 PM.

[The_Mistro]

might be worth checking all the engine mounts to!

[minisilverbullet]

I'd say you got away with the sump damage, fit a sump guard to stop a secondary impact in the same area, £70 well spent.

yeah i think thats good advice!

[bmcecosse]

That sump looks fine - my old Mini had much much worse........ you will never get an Insurance Co to do anything with that. You are really just looking at a wheel and tyre...... so not worth claiming! Just fix it.

[rick.spi]

My old sump was battered far worse than that, Tis only a few fins missing, as said before just look at the floor and repaint it. I wouldn't bother claiming.

[minisilverbullet]

Any other opinions?

I am feeling a bit border line about claiming.

Insurance seems to be a bit more customer orientated here in Sweden, but im not quite up to speed with them yet, (im not Swedish=

I have a mate, how works at for an insurance company as a claims agent. And she seems to reckon that the damage to the casing would be covered. (basically because it wasn't like that before. She advised me that, if it were her, then she would try to agree a deal, with the insurer where the sump casing isnt replaced, but instead they wave my excess, she even said to ask them to pay for a sump guard, in case of a secondary. Seems all abit friendly to me, but i guess that's how they are here.

i guess it would be good to get the car up on a lift and access the damage to the floor and rear subframe, radius arm etc!

[rick.spi]

I've hit alot worse in the polo, try a speedbump, bang and oops I'm on top of it, have a quick look underneath but unless it's ripped and bits hanging off the sump really isn't a problem and that is the lowest point so can't really see there being any bad damage.

Edited by rick.spi, 22 February 2011 - 12:38 AM.

[J960mayfair]

like everyone else says lump looks fine is ur one alloys worth losing 2 year ncb! sod claming just on that! its not loosing the ncb so much much declaring a accident on your insurance for the next 5 years!!

smile!

[Tomf]

I wouldnt bother claiming through insurance with that, but might be able to get somewhere with your local council to replace the wheel... I presume its the same as we have over here with road tax, etc...

[Cooperman]

I've seen much worse than that on lots of Minis and so long as it's not cracked you'll be fine. If it was cracked it would be leaking oil. You've 'lucked out' there. All you need is a new wheel & tyre.