Deer vs GTI..... I lost!

[mattie_1]

Had the misfortunate to hit a deer on the way to work this morning, thankfully I was ok but my poor Mk5 hasn't come off as well. The front offside bumper has a split across the middle, the fog light is now loose as the casing around it has shattered and all of the bottom grill/intake has been smashed in.

Can anyone more technical advise as to how easy this is likely to be to repair and a rough estimate of cost?
Planning to avoid using the insurance as can get parts at trade price from a friend who works in Volkswagen but not sure if it's a job I can myself or need professional assistance with.

Thanks

[Thom89]

Deer can do a lot of damage, you need to check behind the bumper asap for hidden damage, radiator etc
Bumper cover, bumper beam, grills, lights etc painting and fitting, and possibly specialist charges if the AC condenser is damaged, and VAT could easily put costs well over 1k, and getting on for 2!
If your excess is a few hundred quid, and you have protected NCB, then I would advise making a claim. that way, any unforeseen nasties are taken care of properly, without hassle

Thom

[E36valver]

I wouldn't claim through insurance unless absolutely necessary, especially if you can get oem parts at trade prices. You'll get shafted at renewal time because you have a claim on your history, even if its not a fault claim.

Heard so many people complaining about massive insurance premium hikes when the've been rear ended & made a non-fault claim.

Maybe take it to a friendly VW specialist to inspect the damage & give a rough idea of cost.

[mark@vorny.co.uk]

Feel for you. Animals cause a lot of damage.

I did this with the help of a Bull in 1997....

[sveed1.8T]

What a PITA!! I once hit a fox in the mk3... Basil was destroyed and the car was untouched!

[Gti_Jamo]

Unlucky like.....Ive managed to dodge every deer thats ever ran out right in front of me. Have loads up here. The rule is to break hard and steer in the direction it came from. Never failed me. Not hit any sort of animal in over 10 year now. Even 180'd and ditched my Vr6 avoiding a whole family of ducks last year lol.

[Toby]

I hit a pheasant on the m1. Was wedged in the grill for anew miles!! New rad n grill Later! I'm all sorted!

[barrym381]

Unlucky like.....Ive managed to dodge every deer thats ever ran out right in front of me. Have loads up here. The rule is to break hard and steer in the direction it came from. Never failed me. Not hit any sort of animal in over 10 year now. Even 180'd and ditched my Vr6 avoiding a whole family of ducks last year lol.

so you had the mk3 on the duck pond again 

[boneybradley]

You'll get shafted at renewal time because you have a claim on your history, even if its not a fault claim.

that's incorrect... some insurers may charge more for a non-fault claim history, mine don't 

[Len]

Well the big insurance companies are now sharing information and a claim one one car is being taken into consideration on another car!
Yes I have two cars separately insured by different companies, the latest renewal want to up my premium because of a no fault claim I had on my other car!