Drowning my Grenadier (a sorry, soggy saga)

[CRH]

Well I think NFU are clearly out of their depth. Next month will be into Jeremy's fifth month and the vehicle not fixed or replaced. JUST NOT GOOD ENOUGH!

Most people would have to hire a replacement at a huge cost and this is normally factored into the insurance repair cost.

This does sound like you need to get a regulatory body involved.
The last picture you posted shows the vehicle partially stripped and open to the elements. I would start with citizens advice then a free consultation with a solicitor, maybe pay for a strongly worded letter.
I would be tolerant and helpful until a point and I think it's would have passed it by now

 

[MattA]

I have stated before and will repeat myself, it should be and eventually will be classed as a none repairable write off.
It’s not only the current repair costs but the insurance company will, and is also liable for any issues and damages that arise after the car is initially repaired such as electrical faults etc.

 

[Jeremy996]

I understand that a quote has now been sent to NFU Mutual. I'm waiting for them to twist or stick!

 

[Cheshire cat]

Just looked at when this thread started.
I know you are a keen advocate of the marque and feel embarrassed at what you have had to go through.
Looking at the original photo's, it doesn't even look as though you were being fool hardy.

 

[Tazzieman]

Looking at the original photo's, it doesn't even look as though you were being fool hardy.

These things have many variables and I've certainly bailed out of certain situations.
Until such time as I attach a real snorkel I shall be cautious , and even then , running water is powerful and who klnows what's floating past?

From the instructions/caveats in the owner's manual (whether you like it, agree with it - or not!)
Wading:
- Offroad and wading mode (not on public roads)
- Low range (not on public roads)
- Approach/ departure angle 16 degrees
- Maximum speed 3mph/5km/hr
- Max wading time 20 minutes
- Max wading depth 800mm
- Do not stop vehicle during wading (major damage to powertrain risk)
- Run engine for 20 minutes after wading

I hope Jeremy's car is written off and he gets the appropriate amount to reinstate himself into the Grenadier fold.
What a nightmare.

 

[pipo]

Nightmare indeed, hopefully Jeremy arrives at his preferred outcome soon.

Not sure if this was posted somewhere but I thought this to be related and interesting:

View: https://youtube.com/shorts/s6lsS7YYR9M?si=XV1DATfKffjOoX06


(a hydrolocked Grenadier, a rather robust recovery and most surprisingly a running engine soon after - someone got very lucky there)

 

[Jeremy996]

That looks like it was recovered without winding up the neutral bolt, so they were pulling a deadweight with locked wheels. I'd be surprised if the transmission was happy in the long term.
My engine is trashed as it was nearly three months between the original dunking and being examined, so the injector tips and the bores were rusty.

 

[Cheshire cat]

That looks like it was recovered without winding up the neutral bolt, so they were pulling a deadweight with locked wheels. I'd be surprised if the transmission was happy in the long term.
My engine is trashed as it was nearly three months between the original dunking and being examined, so the injector tips and the bores were rusty.

A really sorry tale. I wonder if the story might have been different if your dealer had gotten on with things. Or was it to do with insurance.

 

[Jeremy996]

A really sorry tale. I wonder if the story might have been different if your dealer had gotten on with things. Or was it to do with insurance.

The insurance company recovered it and then had it delivered to their contractor, who declined the work as it was warranted. Then they missed the booked day for the dealer to inspect it, so it missed its slot and had to wait another month.

Realistically, it needed to be drained and dried within a couple of days hours. If I had a manual, I could have done it. There was no way the dealer network could have obliged as there is insufficient capacity.

 

[Jeremy996]

I had a phone call from the claims engineer this afternoon. He has seen the estimate and it is over £40k, so the vehicle's fate depends very much on the expressed market value. At the time of the incident it was less than 2 years old, so one possibliity is a new one at £72k + bits, but he expects that claims will want to settle at "market value". At the kind of money intimated, I'd rather have mine fixed!

 

[Zimm]

That looks like it was recovered without winding up the neutral bolt, so they were pulling a deadweight with locked wheels. I'd be surprised if the transmission was happy in the long term.
My engine is trashed as it was nearly three months between the original dunking and being examined, so the injector tips and the bores were rusty.

Scuba tank... the grenadier specific recovery tool.

 

[CountyV8]

Don't have a hydro locked car repaired.

 

[Bayford]

I had a phone call from the claims engineer this afternoon. He has seen the estimate and it is over £40k, so the vehicle's fate depends very much on the expressed market value. At the time of the incident it was less than 2 years old, so one possibliity is a new one at £72k + bits, but he expects that claims will want to settle at "market value". At the kind of money intimated, I'd rather have mine fixed!

Jeremy, I am impressed that you appear to remain sanguine and cheerful after your experiences with this. Thank you for reminding me that there is a lesson for some of us there in realising the relative importance of life's various hiccups.

 

[Eric]

I had a phone call from the claims engineer this afternoon. He has seen the estimate and it is over £40k, so the vehicle's fate depends very much on the expressed market value. At the time of the incident it was less than 2 years old, so one possibliity is a new one at £72k + bits, but he expects that claims will want to settle at "market value". At the kind of money intimated, I'd rather have mine fixed!

Can they legally settle at market value? It is less than 2 years old, and your contract ( ie insurance document) states full replacement value. So IMHO it is replace or repair. There is no other option contractually available.

 

[Jeremy996]

Can they legally settle at market value? It is less than 2 years old, and your contract ( ie insurance document) states full replacement value. So IMHO it is replace or repair. There is no other option contractually available.

I just pulled the policy details and the maximum payable is "market value", with a replacement vehicle up to 1 year old. As mine is an N1, I have a Light Goods Vehicle policy. I guess the engineer was not aware of the N1 classification, (they look the same after all).

 

[Cheshire cat]

I just pulled the policy details and the maximum payable is "market value", with a replacement vehicle up to 1 year old. As mine is an N1, I have a Light Goods Vehicle policy. I guess the engineer was not aware of the N1 classification, (they look the same after all).

Hi Jeremy
It is galling that when you need your insurance to pay out, they often start to make life difficult.
On the positive side, depending on how highly specced your vehicle is, there seems to be a reasonable choice at well below list value. Fingers crossed, you find one quite quickly.

 

[Eric]

I just pulled the policy details and the maximum payable is "market value", with a replacement vehicle up to 1 year old. As mine is an N1, I have a Light Goods Vehicle policy. I guess the engineer was not aware of the N1 classification, (they look the same after all).

Wow, that's one thing I didn't realise, I bet that then applies to most other companies N1 policies. One advantage of the Fieldmaster and Trialmaster then.

 

[Cheshire cat]

Too scared to look now.
I also have an N1. Insured through LV.
I remember years ago when I had a Land Rover Defender 300 Tdi stolen. NFU were very good too.

 

[CrazyOldMan]

I had a phone call from the claims engineer this afternoon. He has seen the estimate and it is over £40k, so the vehicle's fate depends very much on the expressed market value. At the time of the incident it was less than 2 years old, so one possibliity is a new one at £72k + bits, but he expects that claims will want to settle at "market value". At the kind of money intimated, I'd rather have mine fixed!

You wan’ I should whack ‘im, boss? That’s insane.

 

[Baron von Teuchter]

I had a phone call from the claims engineer this afternoon. He has seen the estimate and it is over £40k, so the vehicle's fate depends very much on the expressed market value. At the time of the incident it was less than 2 years old, so one possibliity is a new one at £72k + bits, but he expects that claims will want to settle at "market value". At the kind of money intimated, I'd rather have mine fixed!

Ouch, £40k!

Interesting one though. Is it common to have a policy that says if the car is <2 years old the insurance will replace with new? I’ve never seen that - but have only ever had or two cars under 2 years old

I’ve only ever seen market value quoted and even then they always low ball. I wrote off a nearly-new VX220 Turbo in 2005, paid £24k for it, cheapest one on autotrader was £21k and they initially offered £16k or something ridiculous. Ended up getting about £20k I think but it was an almighty pain in the balls in doing so.

Best of luck. At least there are lots for sale, you shouldn’t have too much trouble getting a replacement