peter3528 · Feb 25, 2013

Hi All,

FL2 2007.

I'll make my apologies for not being technical in the vehicle arena, but i'll do my best.

Cutting a very long insurance company argument story short. my vehicle was involved in an accident ( luckily parked and no one in it). It was a big impact writing off one other vehicle and the vehicle that caused it.

The FL didn't look too bad but along with a very long list of other parts (resulting in 6k worth of parts + VAT + Labour + materials = around 9K), the gearbox was cracked and needs replacing. Despite it being no fault to me, the insurance company attemped a cost saving excerise to the industry by attemping to authorise a recond'd box. I swift demanded new and after a week or so of serious aguing and policy quoting , they backed down and authorised a new box (Financial Ombudsman compaint filed).

The oringinal price from the garage (9K - boardline total loss) included a new clutch kit and fly wheel. but again, in a cost cutting excerise and an attempt to keep the car on the road, they have now authorised a full repair but with out the clutch and flywheel. i have spoken with the garage and they said they can't identify any underlying damage to the clutch until they do a road test. They priced with the kit and wheel exactly for that reason and to eliminate any nasty surprises but the insurance company want to gamble that it is OK.

The overall question is whether or not it is standard practice to replace the clutch when fitting and new gearbox.

Thanks in advance.

mick 1986 · Feb 25, 2013

peter3528 said:
Hi All,

FL2 2007.

I'll make my apologies for not being technical in the vehicle arena, but i'll do my best.

Cutting a very long insurance company argument story short. my vehicle was involved in an accident ( luckily parked and no one in it). It was a big impact writing off one other vehicle and the vehicle that caused it.

The FL didn't look too bad but along with a very long list of other parts (resulting in 6k worth of parts + VAT + Labour + materials = around 9K), the gearbox was cracked and needs replacing. Despite it being no fault to me, the insurance company attemped a cost saving excerise to the industry by attemping to authorise a recond'd box. I swift demanded new and after a week or so of serious aguing and policy quoting , they backed down and authorised a new box (Financial Ombudsman compaint filed).

The oringinal price from the garage (9K - boardline total loss) included a new clutch kit and fly wheel. but again, in a cost cutting excerise and an attempt to keep the car on the road, they have now authorised a full repair but with out the clutch and flywheel. i have spoken with the garage and they said they can't identify any underlying damage to the clutch until they do a road test. They priced with the kit and wheel exactly for that reason and to eliminate any nasty surprises but the insurance company want to gamble that it is OK.

The overall question is whether or not it is standard practice to replace the clutch when fitting and new gearbox.

Thanks in advance.

I wouldn't say it's standard practice, but more common sense. It's already apart so why leave it with the possibility of stripping in the future to do a job that can be done while its all apart.

DD3 · Feb 25, 2013

Exactly.

teddywood1 · Feb 25, 2013

dito no use doing the job twice i know when you have a body job done through a accident some companies give a 5-6 year warrenty on the job will they do the same for the clutch. i was in simular situation some years ago after hitting some bricks on the road that had fallen of a lorry and totaly wrecked the sump i did not realise this until a few miles up the road and my engin gave up , it was on a mondeo sport , at first the just tried putting a new sump on and filling with heaver oil i was having none of it and told them and threatened them with leagle acction they soon replace the engin with another one, be firm with them but do not get angry .

ady014 · Feb 25, 2013

I would say depends on why it cracked. If it cracked on a mounting point through stress in the impact then probably not if however car was in gear and damage is through gears exiting the casing I would push for clutch replacement. Expect to be asked to contribute tho as there will be some degree of betterment. If you're claiming from someone else you should be able to claim that back also. You made need to get an independent engineers opinion.

freelance · Feb 25, 2013

there is no obligation for them to fit the clutch surely, but you should have it ispected when gearbox is off, and pay for parts and two hours labour if it is needed.

peter3528 · Feb 26, 2013

Thanks guy's, i agree with statements of have it done whilst the box is off, but my main concern is should the insurance be covering it?? The garage had it on their original estimate and they have said to me that they do that as they can't really assess fully damage to the clutch until they do a road test so therefore it makes sense to factor it in now rather than having extra cost at the end of the build (a cost that would normally push it over the total loss threshold). The insurance company have over ruled this and authorised repair without the clutch. Granted, it's now their risk but my initial thoughts are that damage to this extent should really be a total loss and I'm the one going to be left with the ball ache is trying rectify all the niggling problems that no doubt will come with this amount of damage and repair.

Thanks Pete.

Diesel Do · Feb 26, 2013

It's not standard practice! It is common sense as said, but there's a thing called betterment which means basically improving your car at the cost of the insurance company is fraud if it isn't a direct result of the claim, ie a nice new gearbox would be fine but the clutch not being damaged wouldn't be, its a wear and tear item so if its about due for replacement that cost would be down to you! Obviously if the gearbox is out you only have to supply the parts and next to no labour cos the insurance company is paying most of it already! Unfortunately its the way it is with insurance

glynnp · Feb 26, 2013

I'd buy the clutch and like said above get it replaced if you plan on keeping the vehicle, you know it'll bite you on the arse if its left. If there's any apparent damage then claim your cost back.

Nodge68 · Feb 26, 2013

Diesel Do said:
It's not standard practice! It is common sense as said, but there's a thing called betterment which means basically improving your car at the cost of the insurance company is fraud if it isn't a direct result of the claim, ie a nice new gearbox would be fine but the clutch not being damaged wouldn't be, its a wear and tear item so if its about due for replacement that cost would be down to you! Obviously if the gearbox is out you only have to supply the parts and next to no labour cos the insurance company is paying most of it already! Unfortunately its the way it is with insurance

This ^^^^^
If the clutch is almost out then buy the parts and pay to have them changed.

teddywood1 · Feb 26, 2013

surely you would one have to pay for the parts as they are going to put the old one in anyway. ring your insurance and try to get them to at least some sort of agrement, and tell them you are not happy with it , also the other cars insurrance is paying for it all.

peter3528

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mick 1986

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DD3

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teddywood1

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ady014

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freelance

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peter3528

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Diesel Do

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glynnp

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Nodge68

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teddywood1

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