Rear of my vehicle has melted.

[Bongo Tong]

I haven't seen my Bongo since it was towed away by the police this afternoon. While I was out the car parked behind my Bongo spontaneously ignited and in doing so has melted the rear of my car, shattering the glass and burning off most of the back, according to my neighbour who kindly rescued a few accessories before it was towed off. I am insured with Lifesure and have contacted them today but the claims department is shut on Sunday.
Any words of comfort or advice would be appreciated.
Thanks
Bongo Tong

[Bob]

Goodness, this sounds really bad luck.

Let's hope it all get sorted soon.

[mikeonb4c]

Jeebers what incredibly bad luck. I hope very much you are properly compensated and back Bongoing soon.

[Snoozie]

So sorry to hear about your poor Bongo

I read elsewhere that it may be written off. I hope that the insurance company of the driver who parked behind that caused the problem will pay the full value and that you won't have to pay any excess. If his/her insurance company doesn't know much about Bongos they may well undervalue it hugely. Mine did when I was broadsided by someone who's details I didn't get before he departed, and they tried to make out mine was worth 1/6th of its true value (they just based their estimates on an average car of the same age).

It's even more frustrating when the damage is absolutely no fault of our own. Stick to your guns.

[teenmal]

Why was it " towed away by the police ".

[Bongo Tong]

Apparently it was dangerous. The back window had shattered and the Tarmac around it was damaged so it needs to be repaired.
I've just watched the CCTV footage of it taken by the garage opposite. I think the flames were fuelled by the stong gusty winds caused by Bertha. My Bongo did well to hold off as long as it did. The other car was in flames for a good fifteen minutes or more. Scary to see.
Bongo Tong

[philpdr]

At least you've got the cctv footage as evidence,commiserations.

[New Forest Terrier]

I would guess an awful lot of melted wires even if the fire damage is just tailgate and rear bumper. I had a small electrical fire on a Landrover. Light stalk shorted out, much smoke, some flames and a quick fire extinguisher but it had to have an entire main wiring loom as the heat spread and damaged wires along their length.

The joys of classic British car electrics.

[Bongo Tong]

I have been advised by the insurer (Axa through Lifesure) that most fire damaged vehicles are written off because of potential electrical damage. She suggested looking at similar vehicles on the market in preparation for being made an offer by the valuer. I need to consider the potential of buying it back and getting repairs done too. I've spent quite a bit of money on it in the past two years on things like cam belt, water pump, fuel pump, battery, tyres and the usual things, so it's hard to just let it go.
Bongo Tong

[Simon Jones]

You can often use the receipts from the work you've had done to help push up the amount offered by the insurance company as you have proof that it has been well maintained. A second hand vehicle you might buy as a replacement might need around £500 to change cambelt and oil seals so you can use things like that as a bargaining point.

On the downside, if it's had fancy aftermarket alloys fitted and they are not declared as a modification than you'd likely only be offered the value of bog standard wheels.

Fingers crossed you get a satisfactory outcome and can haggle every last penny out of the insurance company.

[Bongo Tong]

Offer received: £6,968. At least 3,000 less than I need to replace it. So the haggling is beginning...
Bongo Tong

[philpdr]

Offer received: £6,968. At least 3,000 less than I need to replace it. So the haggling is beginning...
Bongo Tong

Good luck!

[johnlewis]

Saw the pics on Facebook, gutted for you

[windywatson]

Go for settlement plus buy back and get the help of a a good body shop who wont mind if you source and supply them with second hand parts. There are plenty of specialist breakers you can get the parts that you will require. I've been searching for some body work items & when you start to search for stuff its amazing whats available. Best of luck and hope you get the settlement you want.

cheers