Evening,
Hope everyone is well.
Thought I'd update you on my wounded Jazz and reply for those that asked about the "cosmetic insurance" experience.
I'd struggled to get hold of that company from the start, so tried elsewhere while waiting on them.
Chips Away were very prompt in accessing the damage over photos on WhatsApp and quick to get a quote back.
£430 and about a days work.
However, the cover I took out at Honda's suggestion appears to be useless. It's with a company called Car Care Plan in Bradford. I hadn't heard anything for over a week so called them.
After waiting over half an hour for them to pick up the phone (admittedly, not unusual for companies these days...) they started to process my claim.
Without seeing any photos I was advised that the repair cost would be around £24.
£24!
They said they'd send me an email and for me to reply to that with photos of the damage. After that I should expect to wait a few days and they would respond.
Once I'd done that part (the email did arrive later that day), I thought I'd check them out online for reviews.
Let's just say that in the main they're terrible at best. Long waits, ignored claims, claims kicked out because of some small print buried away, people finally having work done after six months only for it to be beyond substandard, the list really did go on and on.
After reading this I got in touch with a local bodyshop who have excellent reviews on Google etc.
Speaking to the gent there tonight, he's advised that he'll need the car for 3 days and will have to spray both the back door where the damage is and also the front door in order for the colour to match in. Also here's confident he'll sort the sill out easily enough.
He also noticed straightaway that it's a pearlescent paint on it, explaining that while he could never match Honda's machines, he will get the finish so that it's not visible (here's hoping!).
Total price for their work is £370.
I'm going with that option, it's booked in for a couple of weeks time. Fingers crossed it comes out well as I do love my Jazz, I couldn't be happier with it and am still annoyed every time I walk up to it and see that scratch and dent!
Also, I'm going to email Honda regarding their affiliation with Car Care Plan. How a company as reputable as Honda can advise signing up to a product with a company that seems as terrible as Car Care Plan I'll never know. My intention is to get a refund from them and cancel the plan, we'll see how that goes...
Thanks all.
Dave