What would you do? Council contractors ripped off my bumper!

[Rob Bell]

I've not been lucky with my cars recently. Project Shed's wheels got nicked, then someone stole my '67 Mk1 Mini and now some council contractors have ripped off my MGF's front bumper!!!

Not sure whether to run it through the insurance? Protected no-claims etc, but they'll still find some way to ramp up my premium, especially given the claim going through on my beloved Mini.

I am going to complain to the council, and I need to try and figure out how to contact the contractor (Morrisons I think - but no number on the signs on the street, and the only other Morrisons builder I can find appears to be one that concentrates on Social Housing, so I don't know whether it is the right one?)

What would you do?

I could just repair (bond a couple plates where the mounting bolts have been pulled through) and replace the broken indicator (the usual clip has failed); otherwise the bumper shows surprisingly little evidence of its assult. Or claim on the insurance and have a proper job done on it? In which case I think this will be about the 4th or 5th front bumper and a similar number of rears. The joys of living in London!!!

[adrianclifford]

Rob, sorry to hear that mate but you shouldn't put that down to the joys of living in London (or the expense) where you live is nice I know. I would like to say, insurance, it's why you pay it, but I'm sure they will not bother to track down the culprit on such a small claim amount. Therefore it will probably affect your no claims bonus as you will be claiming and they will be unable to get their money from the third party. How about a "new" BRG bumper rather than trying to repair it, at least you can do the job yourself.

[Rob Bell]

Thanks Adrian. Probably been unlucky with bumpers!

I tend to agree with you - the insurance will put it down as an unrecovered loss - and thus will effect my premium despite protected no-claims. I shall see whether I can track down a replacement BRG bumper for reasonable money - and in the mean time repair the one I have.

In the mean time, I'll try and pin the council and their contractor down and see whether they will admit liability -- if they do, then this will become an 'insurance job'

[Canalsman]

In the mean time, I'll try and pin the council and their contractor down and see whether they will admit liability -- if they do, then this will become an 'insurance job'

My TF was damaged in a station car park by some stacked road work barriers, that had been left on site by a contractor, blowing in a gale against the side of my car.

I managed through sheer persistence and many phone calls to trace the contractors who were at fault.

They eventually paid for the repairs, and I went nowhere near my insurance company.

I'd recommend this approach - but it will take some work.

I take it that you have photos showing the damage and other evidence that proves who was culpable ...

[Rob Bell]

I'll post the pictures a little later - let me know what you think! I rather suspect that the contractor may try to wriggle out of it by saying that the damage was caused elsewhere - wherein lies a problem - my word against theirs...

[himself]

rob you have an email from me .

[Rob Bell]

Thanks Gerry.

I've finally managed to get in contact with someone in the council. They're coming around to inspect tomorrow morning. Unfortuantely I'll not be there, but Yimmy will be. We'll see what they have to say for themselves...

Might just look for a bumper anyway - seems like a sensible thing to have in the spares cupboard!

[talkingcars]

Sorry to read about this.

I think your claim lies with the council as it was their contractor, however if you need contact details for Morrisions pmail me, I can get them from work as Morrisions are one of our larger customers, let me know who your local council are so I can try and locate a local office to you.

[Rob Bell]

Thanks - I managed to get through to the manager of Harringey's Street Lighting, and he's very kindly agreed to come around tomorrow to look at the car. Unfortunately I won't be there, as I am on call, but Yimmy should be able to show him around the car!

Here's where the car had been parked - the lamp post is new (we hadn't been informed that the new 'post would be put here, so parked thinking that the car would be safe - oops)

DSC00792.jpg (66.48 KiB) Viewed 524 times

DSC00793.jpg (59.98 KiB) Viewed 524 times

DSC00795.jpg (59.42 KiB) Viewed 524 times

DSC00796.jpg (47.41 KiB) Viewed 524 times

[Rob Bell]

And here's the damage done - the mountings on the bumper have been ripped through. Not taken the bumper off yet to see whether there's more damaged hidden behind - but hopefully not, as I think this has been pulled rather than pushed...

DSC00798.jpg (52.98 KiB) Viewed 523 times

DSC00801.jpg (48.83 KiB) Viewed 523 times

DSC00802.jpg (47.17 KiB) Viewed 523 times

[Rob Bell]

Quick update on this: man from council came just after Morrisons took away their barriers. He didn't bother coming up to the house, but was just standing there in the street when Yimmy spotted him!

Net outcome of conversation is that he felt that this was difficult to prove (no surprise there ofcourse - and our street doesn't have CCTV - but there have been many other complaints on our road of property and vehicles being damaged during this upgrade work!), and that he'd be passing the information on to Morrisons.

Hmm. I don't expect big things. But perhaps I should be persistent?

[pegasus]

Rob,

Why should you put up with this? Be persistent! We are all guilty of letting things be at times but enough is enough. Go for it! I wish you luck!!!

Phil

[Canalsman]

Persist, persist, persist ... then persist some more!

It's not just about your car either.

The contractors' staff may be damaging other people's property too, and they must not be allowed to get away with it.

I recall having a run in with Morrisons contractors myself.

They were digging a trench outside our house, dropped some material on my Volvo's bonnet, and whilst I watched from the house swept it off with their hands and sleeves. Unsurprisingly the paint was scoured.

They paid up eventually ...

So ...

Persist, persist, persist ... then persist some more!

[Canalsman]

PS I am amused by the shortened thread title. Oooh err

[Rob Bell]

PS I am amused by the shortened thread title. Oooh err

Oo-er - just noticed that myself!