"betterment"??????

[Rosko]

My van got a load of scratches and some little dents down the side after catching a bit of tree, and possibly some fence, on the road during the big storms round here the weekend before last. Finally got into a bodyshop (they've been busy following lots of trees on carparks) and was told that I'd need the bottom half resprayed to get the colour to match. I rang the insurance yesterday and they told me this would be "betterment" and that I had to shop around to find somebody who would match the colour up as well as they could.

Does this fit with what other people have been told? I've never heard of "betterment" before and they have photos etc showing that the paint currently matches. Should I argue or is this normal?

Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[Loxy]

My van got a load of scratches and some little dents down the side after catching a bit of tree, and possibly some fence, on the road during the big storms round here the weekend before last. Finally got into a bodyshop (they've been busy following lots of trees on carparks) and was told that I'd need the bottom half resprayed to get the colour to match. I rang the insurance yesterday and they told me this would be "betterment" and that I had to shop around to find somebody who would match the colour up as well as they could.

Does this fit with what other people have been told? I've never heard of "betterment" before and they have photos etc showing that the paint currently matches. Should I argue or is this normal?

Any help would be much appreciated.

My (limited) understanding of it is that say for example you had a bonnet with a load of stonechips on it on a £1k car, then someone scratched it/damaged it and it needed to be resprayed - as a result of this the car was then valued at £1.2k (as a result of the now mint bonnet) then the ins. company may ask that you pay the £200 as the car is now worth more than previously. However if your paintwork was in good condition already and there is no way that it can be repaired back to the same condition as previously then I'm sure that a lower half respray would be justified - i guess you need to get a garage to confirm that & then argue it with the ins. company. e.g. a van with a load of visible touch-ups is not as it was prior to the accident.
I'm sure others on here know more than me & will provide a better insight.

 

[VWAIRCOOLED]

I would argue with your insurance company,but then I do like arguing anyway,you've got nothing to lose.My understanding of 'betterment' payment is basically what loxy said.If they have improved on the condition of the vehicle to better than before the accident,then you could be liable for the 'betterment' payment.But they can't charge you for colour matching panels which weren't damaged before.It is quite normal to paint the surrounding panels to get a colour match even on a brand new car .I would get on the phone and sort it out before anyone does any work.

 

[scott wilson]

i say ********. Make them pay for the damage.I assume you have an agreed value. Give them **** until they buckle and they will :wink: Sorry for the swearing

 

[Ands1]

i say ********. Make them pay for the damage.I assume you have an agreed value. Give them **** until they buckle and they will :wink: Sorry for the swearing

Totally agree, I hate insurance companies with a passion after a recent claim, they will try & bend you over any way they can. Take them all the way to the point they will be fed up of you & will eventually give up to your demands.

 

[Rosko]

Thanks for the advice everybody- been very lucky with my aircooled vehicles and haven't had to do this before. I have had damage repaired to two normal cars and in both cases got what I thought were totally unnnecessary full resprays which were done by "recommended" repair centres. Makes you wonder what they're up to doesn't it?

 

[VWAIRCOOLED]

I reckon they're upto making money at our expense,or at least they will try anything to do that.You pay for your insurance and when you need it you have to pay for the repair yourself? It's good business for them :evil: