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What are my rights when my new Beetle engine burns up?
Blue65 - August 3rd, 2003 at 11:18 PM

Hi there,

My mechanic put in a new 1641cc engine(+transmission) into my Beetle 8 months ago. Its still under warrenty. He serviced many times - it kept on breaking down.

A few days ago, there was a petrol leak when I was driving and before I pull off the main road - there was a backfire and a fire erupted in the engine. I managed to put out the fire in a few minutes - thanks to a safety fire extinguisher.

My Beetle is also insured with Shannons Insurance (Fire/Theft).

Should my mechanic or Shannons pay for the repair and repainting of the car?

Do I claim the tow truck expenses from Shannons Car Insurance or my mechanic?

fish - August 4th, 2003 at 05:45 AM

better talk to Shannons. it's only now you find out how good they are.

Blue65 - August 4th, 2003 at 09:48 AM

Hmm ? Did you sound angry just then?:jesus

squizy - August 4th, 2003 at 10:27 AM

I reckon put it all in the hands of Shannon's. That's what you pay them good money for.

Squiz.......

daz67 - August 6th, 2003 at 08:39 PM

Quote: I reckon put it all in the hands of Shannon's. That's what you pay them good money for.

Squiz.......


I'll second that... Let your Insurance company talk it out with the repairer.

fish - August 7th, 2003 at 06:30 PM

how did you fare with the insurance company??

Blue65 - January 22nd, 2004 at 11:29 PM

Sorry for the delay.

Shannons was great- their rep went to see the car and told them to fix it good as new. They replaced the engine lid, rewired the engine bay, replaced the burnt parts including the firewall and gromits. And they also repainted the engine lid front and back.

Excellent job!!! They even paid for the massive tow truck fee when I sent them the bill.

But I had to pay for the excess which was $400.

I had to pay the

fish - January 23rd, 2004 at 04:44 AM

Gotta be happy now Jan !!!!!

Stanley - January 23rd, 2004 at 06:52 AM

Good to hear a happy outcome......:thumb

Needless to say maybe it's time to get a new mechanic

Jay_1965vw - January 23rd, 2004 at 11:56 AM

Good to hear that Shannons will come through when you have problems :)

Blue65 - January 23rd, 2004 at 12:08 PM

Frankly I could not believe that Shannons would be so generous. I never made an insurance claim ever before. And after hearing all the horror stories, I expected a raw deal - like a laugh in the face.

But yeah, the Shannons representative looked at the car and told my mechanic to make it "as good as new" - those were his exact words. And true enough. Its done all nice and sweet - new gromits, firewall, paint job, etc..

As for my mechanic... ah... well. Its not his fault that the 30 year old fuel pump malfunctioned. And I am sort-of to blame for drivin the car when I smelt the petrol. I kept on driving when I should have pulled over and stopped. Good grief I read about this sort of situation ages ago but it never stuck in my cloggy memory.

Anyhow I look on the bright side and say that I learnt a valuable lesson.:beer