My Honda Civic : Damaged by a coconut tree branch

Su-47 · 18th February 2009, 10:59

After two broken windshields and dents on the bonnet (courtesy coconut trees in Jayanagar) I can only empathize with you. Good Luck!

greenhorn · 18th February 2009, 11:33

thats not a wreck

I was expecting some carnage and a totalled car. Dammit!

Fountainheader · 18th February 2009, 11:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenhorn

thats not a wreck

I was expecting some carnage and a totalled car. Dammit!

+1

The title is very misleading. Just like those "Soccernet" types

I don't know why people keep on harping about NCB so much ? That actually destroys the whole purpose of "Insurance" in the 1st place.

sgiitk · 18th February 2009, 14:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fountainheader

I don't know why people keep on harping about NCB so much ? That actually destroys the whole purpose of "Insurance" in the 1st place.

A lot depends on your insurance hisrtory. Assume you are a safe driver with say no prangs in quite some years, and your insurance is say 20,000 and you have a 30% NCB (you may be higher) then a claim of Rs.6,000 bumps you down to negative territory. Since you lose 50% wjhich you will get the next year and also take four years or so to build it up again.

They had a sensible policy (as in the UK) for reducing you by two years if you make a claim. Now you drop to zilch. The silly thing is that the comprehensive market has been profitable, and it was the act only market (esp trucks) which was the lossmaker. This was the time they reduced peak NCB from 60% to 50%. A classic case of cutting Peter's nose to keep Paul happy! They were unable to stand up to the transporters lobby.

This happened in the regulated industry days and may be needs a relook. In the UK your NCB goes up to 65% but if you reduce to 60% then you are allowed two claims in 3 (or is it 5) years with no loss of NCB!

kaushik_s · 18th February 2009, 14:46

The only tree I hate probably is a Coconut tree, one such incident had damaged my car once and had to shell out 6.5k for replacing the ORVM, the dent is still there.
Anyway, better to check if the roof can be tinkered to get back in shape. I don't think you need to replace the entire roof itself. Glass obviously need to be replaced and AFAIK it's 100% insurance coverage for glass items. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Tejas@perioimpl · 18th February 2009, 15:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenhorn

thats not a wreck
I was expecting some carnage and a totalled car. Dammit!

If you love your car, you will get pissed off at a minor scratch also. I don't blame him for calling this a wreck.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sahil

The roof isn't damaged that bad, a good repair job would be an easier and safer option.

Firstly, check how much your no-claim bonus on insurance is to decide wisely. I suggest you get a quote for the glass from windshield experts, they carry the same OEM glass that the showroom would provide. Their prices are lower too and if you tell them that you would be paying out of your pocket rather than insurance, they would give you some disc%
A reputed local garage can fix the dented roof for a fraction of the price, but thats only if you rather avoid claiming insurance.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaggu

I dont think roof needs to be replaced, actually would advice against you since it will involve chopping and welding which can make the car less stiff. Little bit of tinkering can solve the roof issue, dealer might be taking you for a ride under the pretext of insurance cover.

Mostly the insurance surveyor will not approve the roof replacement also

I suggest that you repair the roof and replace the windshield. Labor will be covered and you will have to pay 50% of rubber beading.

I absolutely agree with both the above. Why don't you also get an independent quote?

white_vdi · 18th February 2009, 19:41

runeet you need to pay just 500 bucks as per the clause and something for the rubber beading and sealant. no labour charges to be paid in the 1st year of ownership. there is no way you have to 8k for that damage apart from the insurance claim.

runeet · 19th February 2009, 13:49

well the roofs not getting replaced, just talked to the honda guys tday, they said that the surveyor denied that part,(obviously they know how the dealership loves to change even the most minorly damaged parts). They were saying that the fitment area for the glass is also damaged nd all that.
Anyways they told the assurance guys to gimme a call so lets see what happens.

GTO · 19th February 2009, 16:42

Tough luck, but the damage is not that severe. The roof needn't be changed. As per the instructions of the surveyor, have your dealer repair her back to perfection.

Jaggu · 19th February 2009, 19:04

Trust me runeet, i have seen roofs in even worse shape repaired in under 2 hours! Only thing they require some patience is the alignment of the roof lips where the glass rest, it has to be pulled back into shape as much as possible (based on curvature of glass). Reason is otherwise some very very minute leaks can crop up, but that also can be managed by having a bit of sealant overdose.

Replace glass and repair will be roughly worth 10-12k billing for Honda, where as replace roof will give them another 20-30 grand.

This is the only reason behind this

worse case scenario move the car to another honda dealer after speaking to them.

ImmortalZ · 19th February 2009, 19:15

I've heard horror stories about Pune Honda dealerships. You might want to check with some of the other owners and see if you have an alternative independent garage to work with.

You should not need to replace that roof considering how minor the damage is.

runeet · 20th February 2009, 09:53

The roofs not being changed, just the glass. lets see how much it costs, seriously these service guys should not be called service technicians but replacement technicians, now they are giving me the reason that the roofs also got minor dents(which are noticable only if you are looking for them), hence it needs to be changed
Trust them to milk the most from their clients.

muneemmk · 20th February 2009, 10:04

The labour is also covered in the insurance, so the depriciation will be 5 % for metal parts(after 6 months all metal parts gets a 5% depriciation, AFAIK only the front windsheild gets 100% coverage everything else will be charged at 50% of the total cost. this might be the reason for the 8000rs estimate. Also the rubber beadings usually cost a tonne.

ak916 · 20th February 2009, 10:11

Glass doesnt depreciate. You will be able to claim 100% on the glass. Rubber fixing thingies and plastic @ 50%.

runeet · 20th February 2009, 10:16

The 8000 estimate was including the roof change which I am not going for, as many here in this forum said as well as the insurance guy that it would ruin the structure of the car. I am guessing the estimate will come down for the glass.

18th February 2009, 10:59	#16
Su-47 BHPian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 692 Thanked: 333 Times	After two broken windshields and dents on the bonnet (courtesy coconut trees in Jayanagar) I can only empathize with you. Good Luck!
	() Thanks

18th February 2009, 11:33	#17
greenhorn Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: KL-01 Posts: 7,745 Thanked: 4,398 Times View My Garage	thats not a wreck I was expecting some carnage and a totalled car. Dammit!
	() Thanks

18th February 2009, 14:46	#20
kaushik_s Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,088 Thanked: 164 Times View My Garage	The only tree I hate probably is a Coconut tree, one such incident had damaged my car once and had to shell out 6.5k for replacing the ORVM, the dent is still there. Anyway, better to check if the roof can be tinkered to get back in shape. I don't think you need to replace the entire roof itself. Glass obviously need to be replaced and AFAIK it's 100% insurance coverage for glass items. Correct me if I'm wrong.
	() Thanks

18th February 2009, 19:41	#22
white_vdi BHPian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: new delhi Posts: 857 Thanked: 38 Times View My Garage	runeet you need to pay just 500 bucks as per the clause and something for the rubber beading and sealant. no labour charges to be paid in the 1st year of ownership. there is no way you have to 8k for that damage apart from the insurance claim.
	() Thanks

19th February 2009, 13:49	#23
runeet BHPian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Pune Posts: 43 Thanked: 0 Times	well the roofs not getting replaced, just talked to the honda guys tday, they said that the surveyor denied that part,(obviously they know how the dealership loves to change even the most minorly damaged parts). They were saying that the fitment area for the glass is also damaged nd all that. Anyways they told the assurance guys to gimme a call so lets see what happens.
	() Thanks

19th February 2009, 16:42	#24
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 70,512 Thanked: 300,699 Times View My Garage	Tough luck, but the damage is not that severe. The roof needn't be changed. As per the instructions of the surveyor, have your dealer repair her back to perfection.
	() Thanks

19th February 2009, 19:04	#25
Jaggu Team-BHP Support Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 20,215 Thanked: 15,906 Times	Trust me runeet, i have seen roofs in even worse shape repaired in under 2 hours! Only thing they require some patience is the alignment of the roof lips where the glass rest, it has to be pulled back into shape as much as possible (based on curvature of glass). Reason is otherwise some very very minute leaks can crop up, but that also can be managed by having a bit of sealant overdose. Replace glass and repair will be roughly worth 10-12k billing for Honda, where as replace roof will give them another 20-30 grand. This is the only reason behind this worse case scenario move the car to another honda dealer after speaking to them.
	() Thanks

19th February 2009, 19:15	#26
ImmortalZ Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Trivandrum Posts: 2,179 Thanked: 488 Times View My Garage	I've heard horror stories about Pune Honda dealerships. You might want to check with some of the other owners and see if you have an alternative independent garage to work with. You should not need to replace that roof considering how minor the damage is.
	() Thanks

20th February 2009, 09:53	#27
runeet BHPian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Pune Posts: 43 Thanked: 0 Times	The roofs not being changed, just the glass. lets see how much it costs, seriously these service guys should not be called service technicians but replacement technicians, now they are giving me the reason that the roofs also got minor dents(which are noticable only if you are looking for them), hence it needs to be changed Trust them to milk the most from their clients.
	() Thanks

20th February 2009, 10:04	#28
muneemmk BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Cochin Posts: 832 Thanked: 99 Times View My Garage	The labour is also covered in the insurance, so the depriciation will be 5 % for metal parts(after 6 months all metal parts gets a 5% depriciation, AFAIK only the front windsheild gets 100% coverage everything else will be charged at 50% of the total cost. this might be the reason for the 8000rs estimate. Also the rubber beadings usually cost a tonne.
	() Thanks

20th February 2009, 10:11	#29
ak916 BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Bangalore/Hyder Posts: 312 Thanked: 293 Times	Glass doesnt depreciate. You will be able to claim 100% on the glass. Rubber fixing thingies and plastic @ 50%.
	() Thanks

20th February 2009, 10:16	#30
runeet BHPian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Pune Posts: 43 Thanked: 0 Times	The 8000 estimate was including the roof change which I am not going for, as many here in this forum said as well as the insurance guy that it would ruin the structure of the car. I am guessing the estimate will come down for the glass.
	() Thanks