32 replies to this topic

[shaun617]

Basically I went straight into the back of a low loader (obviously my fault) Now as you can see the front 2 wings, front panel etc are gone. But my main concern is that the drivers side door will not close unless I lift it up a little, there is also a crack on the drivers side front beam, but I've noticed that the crack has some corrosion and also some rust runs are coming out of the  crack so I'm guessing its been there sometime but when I crashed the crack was made worse. 

 

Positive's - 

 

As I've looked around, the the top door hinge on the drivers side (mk1 style) has become loose and that's why when I lift the door up I can close the door again. Also Ive measured from the rear seam to the front of the door on both sides and they are exactly the same in length, so no crumple? 

 

 

The annoying is I did a 3 year restoration and she's only been on the road 7 months! So all I am after is your opinion on the matter. Thank you to anyone who can help!

 

 

 

 

 

^ Drivers side door step 

 

 

 

[tom130691]

insurance company will write it of yes

but it is repairable

[minidaves]

that is not a write off if repaired buy a specialist 

[Carlsmini]

I've seen minis in much worse condition that have been repaired. I would repair it if the mini was mine. It'll be a shame to not repair it as it is a great looking mini

[Old Bob]

Really makes you feel sick when something like that happens.

 

Certainly repairable - indeed, probably not too expensive or complicated.  However; from an insurance point of view it may be considered a write-off.  Rather depends on if you have an agreed valuation on your policy I think.

 

Bob

[Badboytunes]

Its only a write off if you go through your insurance..... Whats the score with the truck you hit?

[Bungle]

do you have agreed value insurance and if so for how much ?

[shaun617]

I was stupid and didn't get any of his contact details! As I was in shock and not thinking straight! So I'm kicking myself now, so I'm hoping the company of the van get in touch with me before they go straight through my insurance as I only smashed two rear lights.

I did agree a value price but can't remember off top of my head

[tomb1992]

do u have to put it through the insurance ?? talk to the guy in the low loader. or if your insurance ask say you will repair  the damage on your car yourself or pay someone to do it  as your insurer will right it off defiantly , they did with mine for minor damage compared to yours. bad luck mate hope you and every one involved is well and uninjured  

[robminibcy]

Sadly insurance companies will write minis off for very minor damage due to the labour often involved with repairing. Your car looks easily repairable so try and stop it going through Insurance if posssible. If it does though i would imagine that you could buy it back very cheap and repair yourself. You may even make a very small profit from insurance buts not really any conselation for what's happened. The crack in the door frame looks suspiciously like filler to me, especially if the dimensions are all the same. Might be good opertunity to sort any remaining rust or reappearing rust from the rebuilt.

[myredmini]

Gutted for you! What a stunning mini can I ask what white that is and a paint code if possible?

 

Hope you get it sorted,

Dan.

[smartie93]

I was under the impression that the two claims ie Your car and the low loader could be dealt with separately.

 

So he could claim for the damage to his truck and you not claim for the mini.

 

It's not just minis they write off willy nilly though. 

 

The approved garages they use are horrendously expensive, My fathers insurance company shelled out £1200 for a new bonnet for his coupe, and the job was sub par if i'm honest.

[tractor]

As above, if I were you I'd tell the insurance company that your mini is fine and no work is needed, I doubt they argue with because they won't want to pay out as much as you don't want them to write it off

If they do end up writing it off you should be able to buy it back off of them but it'll be listed in the cars history that it been written off in the past

Trac

[mab01uk]

Gutted for you! What a stunning mini can I ask what white that is and a paint code if possible?

 

Hope you get it sorted,

Dan.

 

Looks like Arum White a 1980's Mini colour. (Rover Arum White 449 NMF)

 

Interesting door conversion......Mk3 door with curved front lower corners and Mk1/2 external hinges.

 

The door pillar crack would worry me if history is not known......investigate more as it could be a cut n' shut welded pillar and if so needs to be checked for good welding and what section of shell was repaired previously! A heavy impact should bend pillar not crack it as there is no join there normally but signs of rust and filler is not good......perhaps a Mk1/2 pillar/A panel was grafted in during the external hinge conversion?

Edited by mab01uk, 05 June 2013 - 06:43 PM.

[Guess-Works.com]

Actually it's a mk4.... but, yes, if you go anywhere near an insurance firm, that will be written off...  But as Minidaves points out, given to someone who knows what they are doing, a little pull here and a tap with a hammer there, and all that can be straightened out.

 

It may cost you a tidy sum to get it done, but a lot less than a total insurance loss claim.