The total repair bill was Rs 5.7 lakh but thanks to my zero dep car insurance, I paid only Rs 3,500.
BHPian DesertRain recently shared this with other enthusiasts.
On returning from a family trip from Panchgani, my wife asked me to stop for some strawberries. This was around 1230 PM and traffic was usual. On seeing a street hawker, parked the car on the skid road.
As I was buying the strawberries, my two sons (11 years & 3 years) and wife were inside the parked car and thankfully still inside the vehicle. It seemed instant but yet a dream – a massive blow from the back. Someone crashed into our vehicle at full speed and our car, due to force, was moved to hit the electric pole from the front.
Shaken, but first went to check if everyone was ok. Someone was watching over us as there was not even a scratch on anyone. An elderly gentleman with folded hands got out of the vehicle that hit us, and his family of elders was shaken themselves & apologetic, and thankfully no injuries at their end.
Called the cops, did the paperwork and got the vehicle towed to Kanse Motors, Satara to the nearest workshop.
Edelweiss – Zuno Insurance
- Called the company and the person on the helpline was calm and registered my claim. Asked me if everyone was ok, and confirmed on the same call that FIR is not required only Panchnama will do. He assured me that even if the call drops he will call me back and give all info as required. Reconfirmed insurance is zero dep however nearest service center is 50kms away and the RSA was not there on my policy and that was a minor expense of approx. 5000.
- While on the call I was unable to note the details the call center was providing, but very promptly the call center was able to email, sms me important phone numbers of RSA, surveyor, body shop etc.Truly a remarkable helpline. This was my first and only phone call for insurance during this episode.
- From there on ZERO hassle. Car was fully repaired and the total expense was 5.7 lacs out of which my payable was 3.5k only.
- Complete trouble-free experience.
Kanse Motors, Satara
- They said they haven’t worked on Elantra, but assured me repairs are not mechanical and only sheet metal and plastic parts were damaged.
- Fantastic service and fantastic job overall by them and repaired the car in 7 weeks. Most waiting period of 3 weeks was for parts.
Hyundai
- Awesome, buying a 23 lac car in 2018 from Hyundai, I was mocked and asked to consider other brands. But I am very happy with the brand and the vehicle, their service has been simply amazing.
- During the accident, airbags did not open, I emailed Hyundai on the day of the accident and they said they will test the same. Later, the car was fully tested and I got a roadworthiness confirmation from Hyundai Motors on email post which I picked the car from Kanse, Satara.
- On the drive back I faced some minor issues and the car was picked up by Modi Hyundai who always does a fab job. The car was retested by Hyundai and minor niggles were fixed.
Elantra
- I was never in doubt that we need to fully restore this vehicle and we have more miles to munch together. 5.5 years 50,000 at the time of the accident.
- Fully restored and resurrected, the best car I have ever owned. And the only vehicle I have owned for more than 5 years.
- Still a head turner, while taking the delivery at Satara, a family was picking up new Accent, however, all eyeballs were on us and whispers were “Which car is this”.
- We have another vehicle Kia Sonet, which is about 1 year old however, there was never a question to pick Elantra over the Sonet for this trip, and probably the most crucial decision which saved us from any bodily harm.
My own learnings
- Always take Zero Dep, RSA and other addons, cost spent over years on insurance can be recovered in one bad accident.
- Choose a stable vehicle for highway drives. Our family still shudders to think what would have happened had we taken the newer Sonet over Elantra for the trip.
- Let go, could have recovered some money from the other party in the accident, they were ready to pay some money but just wanted the ordeal to end for both.
- It’s okay to stop for strawberries, not sure what awaited us down the road. We were the safety net between the valley and the speeding vehicle of the other family, some debt had to be settled between us maybe.
Keyword: Elderly man slams into our parked Hyundai Elantra with my family inside