Why?

[p3asa]

Sorry to hear this. Bloody sickening.

I kerbed my alloy after only owning the car for 4 days when a dog ran out in front of me. £500 worth of damage. That night and weekend were terrible as I felt so gutted but as time has passed the feeling has subsided that much that getting it sorted isn't even thought now (although I'm picking up my new alloy tomorrow). So don't worry that feeling will slowly go. No consolation for just now though. 

The body shop might surprise you with the price. Personally I wouldn't touch chipsaway as I have read some bad reports but that may differ as it is different reps throughout the country. But I reckon it would be too specialist a job and if you aren't happy with a rep doing it, you might struggle to get them to do it again properly whereas a body shop would be more likely as you know exactly where they are based!!

As for insurance, you will have your voluntary excess to pay and know doubt your compulsory excess. On my insurance, this would equate to £600 so I would be more inclined to avoid insurance if I could.

[flc1962]

A public flogging  followed by a little old lady with big F off knitting needles shoved when the sun don't shine. Oh and take away their keys!!

[mac7]

Sorry to hear this - the petty vandalism and lack of respect for other peoples property in this country really gets me.

Chipsaway and such are often quite good at minor damage low down on bumpers and wheel arches etc but really the only way to deal with mid-panel scratches like this is to repaint the whole panel. Not cheap, but worth it.

[Rolfe]

Do you have a protected no claims bonus?  If it's not going to cause your premiums to take too big a hit, have it done as an insurance job.

Someone did more or less that, though not quite so deep and only at the rear, to my Peugeot about six months before I took the scrappage deal on it.  With an 11 year old car it doesn't matter so much, and I just left it.  If that happened to my Golf, I'd probably kill someone.

Rolfe.

[p3asa]

The things about no claims protection is you have to stay with the same company to benefit and they "generally" bump up the premium anyway every year, hence why most folk change companies every year.

If you do change company you will have to tell them you have claimed which in effect makes your protected no claims pointless as they adjust the premium accordingly as you have made an insurance claim.

[JJH]

Sad to hear, I can relate. Had my A3 keyed about 3 weeks ago, rear panel and rear door.
Last week it happened again (before I had it sorted) but fortunately on the same door.

Thinking on the bright side, at least you have a car someone is jealous enough to key it..

[VWKev]

I feel sick, really sick.

Just found out my car has been keyed all along the passenger side.
Two nice deep scratches down to the primer on both doors and front wing.

Will Chipsaway or Halfords be able to sort this or is a dealer job (silly money no doubt)

I've only had it seven weeks. Don't know where it was done,  I've not been anywhere dodgy, some jealous idiot no doubt.

I know you said you are not sure where it happened, but if you can think hard and maybe narrow it down to say a car park or supermarket car park etc - You may be able to talk to the supermarket or Police to check their cctv. cctv is everywhere now and although it doesnt fix your car you might find who done it, then after the court case you can crack the ba5tard one in the jaw.

[GolfTi]

  If that happened to my Golf, I'd probably kill someone.

Rolfe.
[/quote]

Yep, if I caught them at it I'd probably end up in real trouble....

First time for a long while my cats were scared of me.


I have no claims protection and excess of £300 so I'll have to work out the pros and cons of getting a cheap or proper job done.

By the way, I live in a quiet market town in Hertfordshire. Just goes to show it can happen anywhere.

[Horney]

As it's pearl it's going to need the whole side re painted or you'll be able to tell the panels that have been done. Even then it may not be a perfect match. Defgo get a pukka body shop to do it (I wouldn't even let the dealers near it). It's probably going to be an insurance job as it'll cost £1K+ for a quality job.

Nick

[keelaw]

I echo everyone's thoughts and sympathy - really crp thing to happen.

I wouls ensure that it is fixed properly and if that means insurance, so be it. I made a claim about 2 yrs ago and it didn't make much difference.

Best of luck!