90 Gavin Street, Ellerslie / Mount Wellington, Auckland
Open : Mon – Fri 7.30 – 5.00 Sat 8.00am – 12.00pm
Frequently Asked QuestionsIt's just a small dent or scratch, how do I know if I need to claim?
If your payable insurance excess is $400 - $600 most scratches that have broken the paint warrant an insurance claim. However some small dents that have not broken the paint may in some cases be able to be repaired using the paintless dent repair method, or more commonly known as "PDR". The best way for us to give you the best advice possible is to go to the "Get an Estimate" button located top Right of this page, this will take you to an area where you can provide images to us and describe anything else you may need. We will be back in touch with you as soon as possible!
What is my Insurance Excess?
An excess, claim excess or insurance excess is the amount that you contribute to a claim. If you make a claim and it's accepted, your insurer will pay the repair or replacement costs that are over your excess amount.
How do I make an insurance claim? What info will I need?
ENSURE TO TAKE PLENTY OF IMAGES TO BACK UP INFORMATION YOUR INSURER WILL NEED. When it comes to making a claim, your insurer will need to know the following: The details of what's happened and the circumstances. Detailed information about the damage. The details of everyone involved. The date and time of when the incident occurred. Any other information that may assist in assessing your claim. Contact your insurer as soon as possible after dealing with the immediate requirements of the accident.
How long does the Insurance Claim Process take?
The sooner you provide all the information your insurer requires the sooner you will have your claim cleared or accepted which means the repairer will be able to start repairs if the estimate for repairs has been approved.
What happens if my car is a total loss, written off?
In the event that your vehicle is stolen and can't be recovered, or is unrepairable after an accident, or your vehicle is uneconomical to repair your claim may be settled as a total loss. You may have also heard this referred to as your vehicle being written off. When this happens, your insurer will pay you the agreed value noted on your policy schedule (or market value depending on policy type), minus any applicable excess, any unpaid premium for your current policy term and any on-road costs (such as vehicle registration fees or road user charges) that aren't fully paid or up to date. This amount should be enough for you to buy a replacement vehicle with the same specifications. This process I have described here may vary from insurer to insurer depending on your policy. You can find the full details of how you will be covered if your vehicle is a total loss in your insurer policy document.
LOAN CARS - Do you provide them? What are the terms & conditions?
-- Yes we provide a range of options for alternative transport. Loan cars various models & sizes. Vans various models & sizes. -- Do you charge for loan / courtesy / rental cars? This depends on the type of vehicle you require. Most older vehicles around 2012 -2015 are charged at a “one off” administration and maintenance fee ($60.00 + GST). You only replace the fuel used. This is typical for loan periods of 1 day - 2 weeks. Depending on the length of the loan out or the age of the vehicle, some cars are rented or leased out. These are generally, subject to availability, newer 2018 and newer vehicles and or specialist vehicles. You will find our rental rates cheaper than commercial rental companies. -- Is there risk or liability with loan / courtesy cars? Like anything borrowed or rented there is some risk and liability. Our loan and rental vehicles just like normal rental companies, all have insurance excesses that the borrower or person renting the vehicle will need to pay if they cause damage to the vehicle or the vehicle is damaged in their care and the at fault person (if any) whom damaged the vehicle is unable to pay for damages. -- Borrower’s terms & conditions of borrowing Main Autocentres loan vehicle Borrower’s terms & conditions of borrowing Main Autocentres loan vehicle: NOTE: EATING, SMOKING OR PETS IN VEHICLES WILL RESULT IN A $250 GROOM FEE BEING CHARGED. 1. I agree to pay $60 plus GST one-off payment, as a contribution towards insurance and servicing costs (where applicable). 2. I understand that if the vehicle is returned with less than a (1/4 or 1/2 or 3/4 or Full) tank of fuel I will be charged up to $250.00 for refueling back to the level the vehicle was loaned out with. 3. I agree to confine the use of the vehicle to the Auckland metropolitan area only, and will be responsible for the payment of any traffic infringement fines, including parking fees and towing costs, or any costs that I may incur whilst in charge of this vehicle. 4. I acknowledge that I am liable for an excess amount of $1500 if I hold a full driver's license. However, if I am under 21 years old and hold a full driver's license, the excess amount will be $2500, plus any applicable underage excess. If I hold a restricted driver's license, the excess amount will be $2500, should the vehicle be involved in an accident whether I am at fault or not, or is stolen or vandalised. If the damage is less than $1500 or $2500 I agree to pay the lesser amount. Should an at fault insured third party collide or cause any damage to the loan vehicle, the applicable excess of $1500.00 or $2500.00 remains payable by the loan vehicle borrower and will only be refunded after the at fault insured third party’s insurer settles all costs with the loan vehicles owner being Fenda Benda Limited trading as Main Autocentre. Should an uninsured third party collide or cause any damage to the loan vehicle, the applicable excess of $1500.00 or $2500.00 remains payable by the loan vehicle borrower and will only be refunded after the uninsured third party settles all costs with the loan vehicles owner being Fenda Benda Limited trading as Main Autocentre. Should damages equate to less than the applicable excess of $1500.00 or $2500.00. Upon conclusion of repairs the balance between the excess paid by the loan car borrower and the final cost of repairs will be refunded to the loan car borrower. 5. I agree to pay the running costs of the vehicle while in my care including petrol, oil and punctures and will return the vehicle with the same level petrol of (1/4 or 1/2 or 3/4 or Full) of a tank of fuel. 6. I understand that I must return the loan vehicle when repairs to my vehicle are complete and if my returning of the vehicle is delayed, I may be liable for a daily penalty fee of $30.00 + GST per day, for every day over the requested return date. I understand that my vehicle won’t be released until all incurred costs associated with the use of the loan vehicle are paid. 7. I agree to pay any fines incurred on the loan vehicle during the time period I had been in possession of the loan vehicle even if the fine is received in the mail by Main Autocentre after the loan vehicle has been returned and my own car collected. 8. I understand that any outstanding charges that I refuse to pay will be handed onto to debt collectors to be collected and or referred to the disputes tribunal. Debt collector charges will be added to my debt. 9. I understand that I am to be the sole driver of this loan vehicle unless otherwise agreed to by the director or Operations Manager of Main Autocentre. 10. As you have received this vehicle in a clean and tidy condition, please ensure that it is similarly returned, failure to do so will incur a valet charge of ($300.00 + GST). I agree that I am responsible and obliged to report any damage on the loan vehicle to Main Autocentre management before leaving the Main Autocentre premises. 11. Any damage found on the loan vehicle upon its return will be charged for at that time and Main Autocentre reserves the right to charge for damage found after the drop off inspection has been completed that may not be immediately noticeable, such as under body damage or damage that has been disguised or repaired by the borrower. 12. The borrower is not entitled to repair any damage on the loan vehicle without the express consent of the director or Operations Manager of Main Autocentre. 13. I understand that any damage not covered by insurance or an insured third party will be my responsibility. Office Use Only: ( ) Photo of drivers license - BOTH SIDES ( ) Photos of courtesy vehicle ALL SIDES - ALL DAMAGE - SPEEDO - FUEL LEVEL ( ) FORM SIGNED & SCANNED INTO JOB _____________________________ ______________________________ Driver name: Witness: Date: Date:
REPAIRS - How long will it take to get my car fixed?
Small to Medium Insurance Repair Provided the following information describes where you are at: -- If your insurance claim has been accepted by your insurance company. -- If your insurer has authorised the repairer to proceed with repairs. -- If any parts for your vehicle are required, they are available and available locally (same day or overnight). -- Depending on the size and extent of damage, lets say average small to medium damage. The repair for your car will take about 2 - 5 days from drop off to collection. -- Common variables that can lead to longer periods before bookings Pre-Repair dismantling - In some cases we will need to completely dismantle the vehicle to enable us to accurately repair plan the repair job, this needs to be done in advance of the start date. This is done on some damage types to avoid the possibility of hold ups during the repair process. This helps us keep the repair phase as swift and as accurate as possible. -- Parts Delivery Delays Whilst we do our best to order parts from suppliers that are pre-qualified and well rated, sometimes parts delays happen. These are our of our control and we do our best to limited the delays when this does occur. -- Insurance Claim Clearance Please ensure you have lodged your claim as soon as possible after your incident. Ensure you have provided all the information your insurer has requested. Hold ups in claims clearance are not uncommon. -- Insurer authority to repairer to commence repairs With some insurers we are self authorized, meaning we can commence repairs once the claim has been accepted. -- Other insurers require us to wait until they authorize repairs. We will update you when we have submitted our estimate and are waiting for authorization. We will encourage you to follow up your insurer to speed things up.
WARRANTY - Will the work on my car be guaranteed?
We will guarantee the workmanship on your vehicle for the period you own the vehicle. NOTE - This excludes rust work as this can be very unpredictable and even vehicle manufacturers rarely guarantee against corrosion over 5 years. New Parts will be covered for warranty under the vehicle manufacturers parts warranty program. These vary. Used Parts or Green Parts will be covered under the suppliers terms and conditions. These vary.
ESTIMATE - Can I get an estimate up front?
Of course, we can give a verbal "ball park" estimate of repairs if your trying to decide to claim insurance or not. Or, if you want a full written & imaged estimate we will charge for this, a refundable charge of $120.00 + GST is the most common cost, being refundable should you decide to proceed with repairs. For this you receive a full computer generated estimate with images etc. The best way for us to give you the best advice possible is to go to the "Get an Estimate" button located top Right of this page, this will take you to an area where you can provide images to us and describe what you are after. We will be back in touch with you as soon as possible!
EXTRA DAMAGE - What happens if there's hidden damage discovered during repairs?
If you are insured your insurer will be notified and we will provide costs to them and seek authorisation to continue with repairs. We will also update you on the hold up (if any) and our findings.