Approved Bodyshop Repair
Don’t get short-changed on quality
If you have an accident, your insurer will choose the repairer, and quality of repair won’t necessarily be a priority for them. But it’s your car so it should be your choice. Make sure you demand the best – demand a Peugeot Approved Accident Repair Centre to restore your car to its former glory.
Using only Original Equipment Parts fitted with the unrivalled expertise of specially trained Peugeot technicians, nobody is better placed to make your Peugeot as good as new. When you’re arranging for your car to be picked up for repair, insist on it being taken to the nearest Peugeot Approved Accident Repair Centre.
To find out more about an Approved Accident Repair Centre, call Norman Laing & co 01250 872333
Our Busy Paint & Bodyshop facility can help you with a small cosmetic repair including Paintless dent removal. As we are a Peugeot approved Repairer we can also help you with an Insurance related claim. We cater for all aspects of coachwork and are happy to provide advice and estimates free of charge.
Ten tips on what to do if you're hit by an uninsured driver
According to the DVLA the cost of uninsured drivers is an additional £30 a year to every motorist's premium. That tots up to more than £400 million in additional premiums. With around 160 people killed and 23,000 people injured by uninsured drivers each year it's a massive problem in the UK.
There's some good news though, as Motor Insurers' Bureau figures suggest that between 2005 and 2009 the number of uninsured drivers on our roads actually dropped - from 1.8 to 1.5 million.
Here are our top 10 tips on what to do, and how to avoid losses, if you're hit by one. Remember, you may not know that the driver is uninsured, so you should always keep this in mind if you're involved in a road accident.
- Get all the details you can of the other car. Start with the model, registration number, colour and any other stand-out features like window stickers, badges or add on extras. If you can, mark down the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), which on newer cars is often visible at the base of the windscreen. The VIN is far more difficult to change than the number plates - which may be false if the driver is uninsured.
- Attempt to get the name and address of the driver of the other vehicle. Ask to see some proof, as it's likely that they'll try and give false details if they're driving uninsured. Ask to see photo ID, a driving licence, or at least a cash card or suchlike to help prove the driver is who they say they are.
- Get witnesses' details. Should you ever have to contest the details of the accident in court then witness evidence is crucial. Be sure to get contact details from everyone you can, quickly, as it'll help your case no end.
- Gather evidence from the scene. Take notes of the position of the cars, closeness of any junction, the trajectory of the vehicles and the damage to both. If you've got a camera all the better (remember the one in your phone) - take as many pictures as you can. Note the time, date, weather conditions and anything else that's relevant, as it'll all help when you try to claim.
- If anyone has been injured you should have already called the police, but if the driver refuses to give details then call the police immediately.
- Make sure you're fully covered yourself. Ask your insurers about claims against uninsured drivers. If you've only got third party cover you'll have to pay for repairs yourself if you cannot trace the driver of the other vehicle and pursue a claim through small claims court action.
- Speak to the Motor Insurers' Bureau as it can help compensate victims of uninsured drivers and untraced motorists should your vehicle be struck when you're not with it.
- Pursue a small claims court action. If you've got the details of the other driver you can take them to the small claims court to seek compensation for your losses.
- Prevention is better than cure, so report anyone you know to be ignoring the law and driving without insurance.
- Drive less. Do your bit for the environment and walk, cycle or take the bus. The less time you're out on the road the less likely you are to be hit by an uninsured driver. Keep your car parked off the road too, to avoid coming back to it and seeing it has been hit or damaged.
