Wish I knew how to post a camera phone picture...
Just before Christmas I put my beloved classic 70s sportscar into a roadside ditch. Had to have it craned out (€650) then the repair bill came in at €9,250... and the car was only insured for €10,000.
Insurance agency decides to write-off the car... "Tough luck, we'll send you a cheque for €5,000 and you can keep the wreck."
Unfortunately for them, (but very fortunately for me,) between the appraisal of damage and the the decision to scrap the car, some gombeen at their head office gave the go-ahead to the garage to do a full repair.
Insurer: "Tough luck, we'll send you a cheque for €5,000 and you can keep the wreck."
Me: "That's great, because the car has already been repaired WITHOUT my permission on your say so and the garage won't release it till they get paid."
Insurer: "Really?! ...eh...can I call you back? I have to contact the garage?"
(5 mins later)
Insurer: "Eh yeah, we've decided we'll pay the appraised €5,000 value towards the repair bill and you can make up the difference."
Me: "Nah... I think I'd rather just collect MY PROPERTY from the garage and not repair it. You guys can settle up with the garage for the outstanding balance due on the repair work that I NEVER AUTHORISED. Seems only fair seeing as you guys gave the garage the go-ahead. I'll just take the €5,000 scrappage and consider what action I should take regarding the two months my car has been illegally seized from me."
Insurer: "Really?! ...eh...can I call you back? I have to speak to my supervisor."
(5 mins later)
Insurer: "We've eh... we've decided to... eh... in this instance... to eh, pay the full cost of the repair. Your cheque is in the mail, thank you."
Luckiest thing that ever happened to me. Would've been luckier if I'd never careened off the road in the first place, but beggars can't be choosers.
The Luke
