Just on the Shannons or Vigil thing. I got kicked off Vigil when I was 18 as they stopped insuring people under 25. So i went directly to Shannons, who let me in under 19 as I had an insurance record and got a much cheaper price - with salvage rights.

Vigil may have changed again since so best to find out, but Shannons seems to be the go.

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1964 Morris 850, 1330 Supercharged - 81.8hp atws.
1975 Leyland Mini S 1100S powered - Nice and reliable.
1977 Leyland Mini LS - Project LS-T

I know a million people recommend shannons already, but I will do it again... They are really really really good. AND the best thing is that they DO actually understand the whole car passion thing and they actually DO understand what you go through when your "baby" is damaged. I had to unfortunately go through the whole thing with the Rover that I had and they were great. The process was quick and they informed you of everything the whole way through. Within 2 weeks of the fire, the car was assessed, taken away, written off, buy back price sorted out, I had the car delivered, the cheque was sent and it was all wrapped up and finished. There was also no jump in the premium on the other cars. All in all a great experience considering...

Joe , add everything up as I'm not sure of the total you'll be up for . It's been 7 or so years since I've had a car written off and had to deal with an insurer (the same one as you actually) . Since the other driver is at fault and was identified then presumably that part of your excess is safe but I'm not sure if they hit you with an under 25 excess regardless of fault . As for wreck retention my last claim with them it wasn't possible , they also told me (information from the telephone claims service then) that their policy is all cars go to auction without the option of the previous owner having first go at it . This is to stop someone fraudulently claiming damage and then getting the car back for a pittance and using the insurance money for panel work or respray .

Basically do your sums with everything involved (costs , excess's , towing fees from auction etc) and see if it's still worthwhile . Try not to be too emotionally attached to Tiny and bid higher than you should .

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I just want to comment on the statements people are making about the car is never the same after a prang.. I believe it comes down to the repairer. My first Mini back in the 60's had 3 major prangs that I know of - one with the previous owner and two with me. I don't know how bad the one with the PO was but you could always tell - it was left rear wheel - panel work wasn't true - colour was different in the right light and angle - swivel arm out of whack.

The two prangs I had were major - shunted in the rear while doing a right hand turn pushed the whole back in and back seat was touching the drivers seat. other prang I was collected by a guy who did a right turn into me from the other direction. Front was total distortion - engine was pushed through the radiator - sub frame twisted out of shape - you get the picture.

Both those major repairs were virtually undetectable certainly far less than the POs repair job and I drove the car for another 2 years after the last and never had any indication there had been a prang.

It comes down to workmanship and finesse of the tradesman involved

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David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!

i wont have to pay the excess cause i gave the details of the other driver and they wiped me from it. after all this i will be changing insurer to shannons though. i attempted to use them first go but they refused me cause i told them i would drive tiny once or twice a month to work. when they asked me where i worked and i answered in a carpark they refused to insure me.

but now i know what to answer. i know what everyone is saying about what to do with tiny, and i havent decided yet. i just want him back so i know i got him for now, then ill make a decision to strip him or not.

i dont have slavage rights on tiny nor is it in the DPS.

but just going through there website, i only just noticed that they have put down. if any modifications were done to the car and not listed on the policy still remain the property of the car owner (myself). you may ask to remove any contents and we (insurer) may choose to charge or deduct your payout for the removal of those modifications.

but i still am gonna get the car back though

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oil leak?..what oil leak..that puddle under the car is just sweat from all that horsepower

u suggesting im at war with nrma and wont have peace till its over? bloke

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oil leak?..what oil leak..that puddle under the car is just sweat from all that horsepower

I'm not sure it is you who will be at peace when it is over somehow. Nor that it is a case of you being at war with the NRMA.
KB

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I am suggesting that its a overly long saga

hay
you are dealing with an insurance company fast to take the money very slow to get it back and they find any excuse to stall ,delay and any fiddly reason not to pay it is wonder they have' nt blamed you or the phase of the moon

It took my mate MONTHS to get $$$ out of this company after he totalled his XR6.
It was insured for `market value', not agreed value- so is it any wonder they strung him out.
<edit> the longer they can fob you off, the less most cars are worth.

Moral of story- NEVER insure for market value.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

I was insured for market value with one of the bigger insurers and I asked, how much is market value in dollars ? they said they could not answer that coz it depended on the condition, the amount of kays, blah, blah, in other words you pay the premium and if the car is written off, they decide IF and HOW MUCH they will pay and you don't have much say in it.
At least if you insure agreed value you know how much you (may) get and when you ring around for quotes you can compare apples with apples.
Oh eventually I dragged out of them how much markret value was and it turned out to be less than I owed on the car . I am now insured with Shannons agreed value for car and bike and have salvage rights on the bike

Mate if you are with NRMA then your car will definitely be written off. All NRMA quotes are done by an internet system where photographs are put up and any affiliated repairer can submit a quote. The few panelbeaters who still do NRMA work (2/3 won't because they don't believe in quoting based on photographs) will not be interested in bidding on work to fix a Mini because it is all too hard for them. It's not like fleet conformidores that they know where to get the parts and what they cost etc...

good luck with the recovery.

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the world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page
66 Mini Minor sponsored by http://www.lifeonthehedge.com.au/ The Dog Harness Specialists
It was a pleasure ausmini. I'll miss all you misfits and reprobates

Mick, I think you will find that NRMA have reviewed and changed that system now due to all the hoo-hah a year or so ago.
Many repairers knocked back doing their work as you say.

All I have left with NRMA now are the 32 year old boat, and my shares...
The rest is now with Shannons.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

good news tinys coming home. i submited $900 to buy him back and they declined and asked for another $100. . so payed the $1000 and i should be expecting him home in the week or so.

now does anyone know of a good smash repairer?

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oil leak?..what oil leak..that puddle under the car is just sweat from all that horsepower