Accident damage potential warranty invalidation

[JazzOwnerRobert]

I experienced minor damage to the rear of my 2023 registered Honda Jazz recently and notified my insurer promptly. There is a shallow dent to the tailgate and a couple of scratches thereto. So I’m just into the third year of warranty. Similarly the polypropylene rear bumper has a small kink in it. I went to a local repairer for a quote and they said they could correct the dents in both but would need to approach Honda to supply new badges …… okay so far. I understand the boot dent can be repaired ‘in situ’. Their quote was in the late hundreds. For good order i thereafter approached another carbody workshop, this time with Honda accreditation, who insisted that both bumper and tailgate need to be replaced and the software to be reset thereafter otherwise the warranty becomes if an (unauthorised) actor works on the car. Obviously new tailgate (involving painting and glazing etc., together with the bumper replacement will greatly amplify cost assuming I’m paying so as to mitigate my insurance liability. I don’t this is particularly fair. Will the cars functions still remain should I pursue the cheaper option. Any comments are welcome.
S

[Tombola]

If the damage was caused by someone rear ending you your insurance will sort it without loss of no claims

[Kremmen]

That can often be a con

Yes, you keep your no claims discount but some insurance companies will raise the premium so even though you still get your 60%, or whatever, it still costs more

'youv'e been hit and we reckon you might get hit again' even though it wasn't your fault and they didn't pay out

Seen quite a few posts on car forums like this

[Classkawa]

In terms of your warranty being affected, it shouldn't be, but there are two radar units, one each corner of the rear quarters. If the damage goes beyond the plastic bumper skin and into the rear quarter panel then it is possible one of the radar units may be damaged and this would need to be replaced and recalibrate for the blind spot warning system to continue to work.
Otherwise, if you are just replacing the rear bumper skin and repairing the tailgate, then no calibration or software should be needed and the Honda approved repairer may be complicating the repair

Sent from my SM-A346B using Tapatalk

[Kremmen]

Insurance companies always want you to use their approved repairers probably because they get back handers

If the company is not Honda approved then your bodywork warranty could very well be invalidated IMO

[Sean Regan]

Insurance companies always want you to use their approved repairers probably because they get back handers

If the company is not Honda approved then your bodywork warranty could very well be invalidated IMO

What you say is true, but insurers can't insist on which  repairer you use.

[Kremmen]

But if you don't go to their repairer they insist on you paying the first few hundred pounds of the repair

They should waive this unfair charge if you go to a manufacturer repairer

[Lord Voltermore]

Although I can think of few things more boring,if you read through the small print of warranties they are packed full of exclusions . High on the list are   'as the result of external damage', and  'evidence of previous unauthorised  attempts at repairs'.    Bodywork warranties  typically require  periodic inspections.

Most insurers  use 'approved' repairers who repair the cars to 'as new'  condition . Not all Honda dealerships have their own  bodyshops,but would sub contract such work to  independent bodyshops  who meet Hondas standards.   

I dont know, but I suspect that Honda would no longer accept warranty liability  themselves for any bodywork faults ,rusting etc  that no longer has the original factory applied primer and paint. Which IMO is fair enough.  But they may have an arrangement that the Honda approved repairer is liable for putting right their shoddy body repairs  or related mechanical work (eg radar sensors etc)  that are  revealed within the warranty period. 
To the owner this may be indistinguishable to it being  covered under warranty

If work is carried out by a bodyshop  that is not Honda approved  then the car owner may have to pursue the bodyshop to put right any faults that later come to light.  If your insurers paid for the repairs they may do this for you.  If you paid for your own  repairs  you may have to pursue, and possibly sue, the bodyshop yourself . And related mechanical faults that are only discovered later might not have been included in the original estimate and you may have to pay extra to now get it fixed.

I experienced minor damage to the rear of my 2023 registered Honda Jazz recently and notified my insurer promptly.

Be aware that if you enquire with your insurer whether its worth  claiming for  a minor  repair they will record this as you having had an accident.  Even if you decide to make no claim.  And this information is on your insurance  record, available to all insurance companies.   Whilst it may not affect your no claim bonus  a record of previous  involvement in collisions  can increase your future premium, or new quotes.   Of course if another driver is involved you cant avoid notifying them. If its between you and your own gatepost  you should also notify them of course   

[Sean Regan]

But if you don't go to their repairer they insist on you paying the first few hundred pounds of the repair

They should waive this unfair charge if you go to a manufacturer repairer

No, they can't unless it's included in the terms of your policy, which I was under the impression that it would be illegal.

[Kremmen]

It's written into my LV policy that if I don't use one of their repairers ,etc, etc

I can understand if you use a back street body shop but a Honda approved repairer

Hopefully I'll never find out