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[Diamond Black Geezer]

And I'm sure they do, Kevin 

However my bodyshop managed to undercut the insurer's bodyshop, mainly so that he gets the job, whereupon whatever was left by claiming for new parts, but using second hand, would basically mean we could possibly work on some other areas of bodywork which want attention, with what was left over. 

[Nick W]

In short, assuming an insurance body shop labour rate of £25+vat, so £30 inc per hour...

I'd have thought this is on the low side. No?    More like £40-50 per hour? 

I suspect insurance companies beat down the hourly rates well below what a paying customer would be offered. Hence why you normally get a half-@rsed job.

That is exactly what happens, the hourly rate is much lower than a 'cash' customer would be charged. But if you look at the estimate, it will list the times for the work required and include something like parts at MRP. This is where the bodyshop's profit is made as they will NOT be paying Manufacturer's Retail Price!

The recovery business is similar; the providers pay about half what the rate ought to be, so turnover is essential to stay in business. You make your money on the extras that are charged directly to the customer - skates for immobile vehicles, specialist winching etc - or from your own customers who are charged 'correctly'.

[Diamond Black Geezer]

Right, That tallies with what I suspected, in that when I looked at the prices for lenses and trims etc... I was thinking 'hang on, I don't get charged that much when I go into Vx'.. because they always charge me trade these days. 

[05omegav6]

When the slam panel was welded in and painted by my former Vx dealer, they charged £25 an hour as that was all that the insurers would pay, and all that the local competition were charging...

Local place I have used of late, charge £100 per panel for paint only... So probably around the same  hourly rate allowing for materials etc

[Diamond Black Geezer]

Yep, about £100 a panel sounds about right. 

[henryd]

When the slam panel was welded in and painted by my former Vx dealer, they charged £25 an hour as that was all that the insurers would pay, and all that the local competition were charging...

Local place I have used of late, charge £100 per panel for paint only... So probably around the same  hourly rate allowing for materials etc

Al is correct,most bodyshops are members of the Vrba which caps there bodywork labour rate,any mechanical work needed before paint work though is charged at normal dealer rate
http://www.vbra.co.uk

[Diamond Black Geezer]

Well, update:

Including keeping the car, I have been offered £590. 

The assessor, who seemed pretty fair, on my side, etc, was only able to find one CDX 2.5V6 for sale anywhere, (FL, which isn't the same of course) at £950. Well my point was if he can find me a prefacelift CDX, which has had new front suspension, full roof respray, full set of 8mm Michelins, new cambelt, refurbished brakes, the lot for £590 then he's a better man than I. 

Now contacting the bloke who crashed into me's insurers direct, to see what they will offer.

Worst case I get £590 which pays for the donor car I've bought, but means yours truly does every bit of work.

All I can say is don't drive on the roads - there are other people driving on there!

[steve6367]

You may have already done it, but having been through this with my Gold Estate recently I got the settlement up by simply saying that the offer they had made was not sufficient and that I was in no rush and would be happy to wait for them to call me back. A few days went by and they called back with a better offer 

[Diamond Black Geezer]

I've refused it, so he's said they'll be in touch with me in due course. As you say, they may tweak it up. Who knows?

Not after blood, not after 'have you had an accident in the last three years', not after money to live off my own private island forever, just to see my car back in the same shape that it was 3 weeks ago, after an accident that wasn't my fault. 

[Diamond Black Geezer]

New update:

rung his insurance (Swinton) and been told because my insurance company are dealing with it they can't do anything. Makes very little sense to me, because Swinton are dealing with it, as it's their driver who caused the incident etc. All my insurance company are here is the 'middle man' between myself and Swinton. Like ringing a factory and saying 'can I buy a pair of boots?' 'no sorry we don't sell boots, go to one of our shops', perhaps?

Don't know if that's rubbish I've been told by Swinton?

[05omegav6]

Idiots.

[Diamond Black Geezer]

The word did cross my mind...

[Entwood]

Swinton are not insurers .. they are insurance brokers/agents... the actual insurer of the guy who hit you is NOT and never will be "Swinton" .. but an actual insurer from the bunch that Swinton use.

Unfortunately Swinton will not give you the info .. you need to read the insured drivers Insurance Certificate to be absolutely accurate.

Swinton will have got him to use their claim line which will have appointed a third party Claims Handler... for two reasons .. they make commission from the claim and .. most importantly to them .. they are outside the Insurance Ombudsman system.

Your chances of dealing successfully with Swinton are nil ..  if you can get to the insured drivers actual insurance company BEFORE Swintons Claims handlers tell them to write off the vehicle you MIGHT have some luck ... but don't count on it ... their Claims guys wrote Chris's car off without permission and once on the DVLA system it cannot be changed.

I wouldn't touch Swinton with a barge pole, even if I was on fire at the time

[05omegav6]

There is a word which most aptly describes Swinton...

Sadly all I recall is that it rhymes with cants... so I shall run with my second choice...

Onanists.

[STEMO]

There is a word which most aptly describes Swinton...

Sadly all I recall is that it rhymes with cants... so I shall run with my second choice...

Onanists.

That's a southern rhyme. Up here it rhymes with punts.