Car repairs - Insurance confirmation

Looking for some advice.

We had an parking accident where our car was damaged and no note left. We have a witness who details were passed to the police and insurance company.

Now the car is a lease, so we had it recovered and taken to the leasing company. They have inspected and sent a quote for the repairs. Since then they have contacted us four times in 36 hours asking if they can start with the repairs. Our insurance company inspected the car on Wednesday and we have no follow-up since and their helpline is closed for the weekend. Are we correct in thinking that we need some confirmation from the insurance company before we allow the lease company to start making repairs?

Hello,

I’ve only used the car insurance once. A little stone cracked the car windshield. Paperwork takes time. I sent a photo to the garage, then waiting for insurance answer. 1 week later I had an appointment for the repair.

I don’t understand the rush to repair the car. Or, is the car parked at their place? Maybe that explains the pressure.

Yes, the car is with them because they told us to get have it sent to them. So I understand maybe that is where the pressure is coming from, (I do wonder if they have it on a lift with panels removed so it is blocking the work shop). But surely they know they must wait for a confirmation from insurance?

We did tell them that we were waiting for a confirmation from the insurers to which they replied “We will deal with the insurers. Can we start?”

It is rather stressful as we do not want to give the go-ahead and then have the insurers come back to something where they have an issue.

I wouldn’t give the go ahead without the say so from the insurance.

Ahhh, this little detail.

If it’s a leasing the insurance is probably bundled in the same contract. So, it would be unusual that the insurance refuses to pay for the repair.

As long as the garage is approved by the leasing company, it should be fine. If still uncertain, ask to the leasing company, they’re basically the same team as insurance.

We leased from the manufacturer and it is their own garage (same building we leased from).

Insurance is completely separate from the lease.

Then, I’m afraid an answer from insurance before proceeding is reasonable.

Maybe retrieve the car from the garage. Even a parking place has a price.

Unfortunately the car is not safe to drive, the damage is such that it would risk a puncture and there are sharp metal edges that would be an unacceptable risk to an ped/bike that may come into contact with it.

Oh, this is between a rock and a hard place. Not much to do beyond asking the garage for patience and understanding and get the answer from insurance ASAP.

We did tell them that we were waiting for a confirmation from the insurers to which they replied “We will deal with the insurers. Can we start?”
I think you go from here. Fully comprehensive insurance is presumably a condition of the lease. Ask the leasing company to send the bill directly to the insurer. The insurer should settle it and charge you the excess.

Just send them a confirmation to proceed on the understanding that you will not be responsible for any costs you have not agreed to in advance.

1 Like

If you are in no hurry than they should be in no hurry either. Wait for the conformation. The insurance will and must first send an agent to inspect the damage.