[MarkG_M5Comp]

Morning all,

Does anyone have experience of Purple Parking and their approach to a total loss situation with a car under their responsibility?

A family member with his wife and two kids arrived back at Heathrow yesterday but instead of being greeted with his car, he was instead greeted by 'I'm sorry sir, your car has been in a multi car collision and is a write off'.

They've given him a rental car for now but the fun starts here. Unfortunately the driver is still in hospital some two weeks later so it sounds like it was a serious one.

I'm going to suggest:
Copy of the police report; where, when, how
Negligence by any party - wreck less driving etc?
Claim for uninsured losses (I believe he has no GAP!)
All costs in the interim of course...

Anything else people can think of?

They loved the car (Mazda 5) as the wife is a childminder, alas they are no longer available...

[....,,,,..,,..]

This will likely be just between family members insurance and PP insurance (liability insurance).

Irrespective of how the vehicle was lost / damaged etc, it comes down to failure to adequately protect customer property.

The bit they really need to concentrate on is that element that GAP would have covered and of course record all expenses such as taxis, phone calls in connection with claim, etc.

[GaryUFM]

Motor Legal Expenses (were it selected on their car policy) could also help out here. Get on the blower to their own insurers to notify the legal bods (if applicable) ASAP as they could be deemed to be prejudicing their position by delays in notification. They can pick up the battle on their behalf.

[MarkG_M5Comp]

Thanks guys - uninsured losses is the concern as Brigand mentioned. They has suppled a like like 7 seater through enterprise so being ok at the moment but who knows.

Legal cover!! Why didn't I think of that - I'll let him know now.

Cheers guys.

[Watsey]

How does a car parked in a secure car park get written off in a multiple car accident ? Or was it being valet parked (aka "ragged for the fun of it") ?

[MarkG_M5Comp]

Originally Posted by Watsey

How does a car parked in a secure car park get written off in a multiple car accident ? Or was it being valet parked (aka "ragged for the fun of it") ?

Hmm, unsurprisingly our question too. They say it happened when they first collected it but a 7 seater is awfully handy to ferry drivers around...

The police report will be telling on that score, until now they just said 'significant front and rear end damage' so it's a nose to tail job - on the M4.

[Mark1966]

These Airport Parking setups really need to be operated under stricter regulations. I have had numerous friends and business aquaintences over the years that have had not only damage (not as significant as OP) but speeding and parking tickets when in the control of these goons.

It amazes me why anyone would use these setups, surely it is less stressful just to use a Taxi or Limo service.

[mofomat]

I wouldn't touch ANY parking service with a barge pole. Heard some horror stories.

This was in the news last month. Parking firm at Gatwick were fined for leaving cars in a muddy field with the keys in the ignition.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news...g-firm-8451828

[SkyJawa]

Originally Posted by mofomat

I wouldn't touch ANY parking service with a barge pole. Heard some horror stories.

This was in the news last month. Parking firm at Gatwick were fined for leaving cars in a muddy field with the keys in the ignition.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news...g-firm-8451828

This, if I'm not driving it to where it stays for while I'm away then its a taxi to the airport!

[Drisser]

The only shame there is they were fined only £5k.. how did they get away with such a small amount ?! Maybe £100k would put them out of business.

interesting the fine was for the failure to have the planning ! what about the owners who probably knew nothing of it..

[MarkG_M5Comp]

Update:

Since the Mazda 5 is no longer available I suggested he called his dealer to see if they could find him one.

Dealer turns around and says '...but I sold you GAP insurance so it's all good...'

So looks like a happy ending - he was miss sold a finance product which had ended up paying off big time!!! Only RTI but likely to come out with £3k.

[NISFAN]

Originally Posted by mofomat

I wouldn't touch ANY parking service with a barge pole. Heard some horror stories.

This was in the news last month. Parking firm at Gatwick were fined for leaving cars in a muddy field with the keys in the ignition.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news...g-firm-8451828

Where's the bit about keys in the ignition? :

The reporters haven't even got muddy field correct, looks like a grass field in about the same condition that any one of us would use if going to the Silverstone F1 for example, or the Farnborough airshow, or Fairford airshow, or festivals, ......I guess not sensational enough?

The only thing that would be of concern is the security at said field. But we have no idea on what level of security they had?

[Tengocity]

Mark, why does so much bad stuff happen to people you know and their cars?!.... :

or are you just the Lynn Faulds-Wood of the car world?!

[mofomat]

Originally Posted by NISFAN

Where's the bit about keys in the ignition? :

The reporters haven't even got muddy field correct, looks like a grass field in about the same condition that any one of us would use if going to the Silverstone F1 for example, or the Farnborough airshow, or Fairford airshow, or festivals, ......I guess not sensational enough?

The only thing that would be of concern is the security at said field. But we have no idea on what level of security they had?

The story was in many different newspapers at the time. I remember reading about it from various sources and in detail. In this instance I just clicked on the first result in Google for a link in order to give people a head start should they choose to read up on the story further.

Seeing as you can't be bothered I shall do it for you.


http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surr...mpany-11533514

https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/news/r...m-fined-6-000/

Boxes of keys with car details left abandoned with nobody around.

Windows left down.



Keys to car left on windscreen.


Is this field muddy enough for you?


Boxes of keys left abandoned in the boot of a car.

[mofomat]

Two years ago I stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn at Heathrow before a four day trip away. I chose the hotel because I've stayed there many times before and the car park is reasonably secure and a lot cheaper than Heathrow's own car parks. It's also very convenient for Hatton Cross Tube station and making a quick journey to the terminals as opposed to using the Heathrow Hoppa bus. I was in my M135i.

I didn't book any kind of parking package. I was simply staying the night and then I was paying the daily rate for the parking. I got a ticket on arrival at the barrier and would then pay before exiting four days later.

On arrival at the hotel the evening before I went to the check in desk to check in and get my room key. They asked if I had a car parked, which I answered "yes", and they asked for the registration. They then very casually said:

"If you just give us the keys".
"Er, no. Why do you need the keys?"
"Because if you're staying for more than one night we drive your car to an off-site car park".
"Er, I don't think so. I'm not just giving a complete stranger the keys to my car! I'm just parking my car in your car park!"

After a lot of tutting she acquiesced "as a one off". I was gobsmacked that she expected me to hand over the keys to my car just like that! There was no procedure in place for them to inspect the car before taking it. There was no explanation as to where my car would be exactly in those four days. There was no warning at all that any car left in the car park would be taken elsewhere. It wasn't that kind of place. It was a hotel with a car park, not a car parking service. I expect they want to make as much money as possible by emptying car parking spaces whilst people were away. Not without warning they don't. I wouldn't mind but the car park was about 10% full when I arrived and 10% full when I picked my car up four days later, as it was Christmas.

[NISFAN]

Originally Posted by mofomat

The story was in many different newspapers at the time. I remember reading about it from various sources and in detail. In this instance I just clicked on the first result in Google for a link in order to give people a head start should they choose to read up on the story further.

Seeing as you can't be bothered I shall do it for you.

So to get this right, you are the one that makes a statement of 'keys left in ignition' and 'muddy field'.
You then post a link to corroborate your statement...except it completely misses the mark by miles....

.....and I'm the one that can't be bothered?

You sir, are a funny guy.

PS: no need for a reply, thanks

[Daftasabrush]

I'm guessing it was going to or from their parking here: https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.50.../data=!3m1!1e3 M4 crash sounds about right tbh.

[mofomat]

Originally Posted by NISFAN

So to get this right, you are the one that makes a statement of 'keys left in ignition' and 'muddy field'.
You then post a link to corroborate your statement...except it completely misses the mark by miles....

No, I posted A link to ONE news article of which there are many available. It doesn't mean what I said isn't true just because in THAT particular news article it wasn't mentioned.

You seem to be missing the point entirely.

[MarkG_M5Comp]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

Mark, why does so much bad stuff happen to people you know and their cars?!.... :

or are you just the Lynn Faulds-Wood of the car world?!

I do seem to have a bad influence!

With me its trains - if I'm on it, there will be a delay, trespasser, strike or something that makes you late!

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by SkyJawa

This, if I'm not driving it to where it stays for while I'm away then its a taxi to the airport!

Remembering of course lots 'taxi' drivers have been either arrested or main suspects when house of person they dropped off was subsequently subject to a burglary same day...

Friends of ours at Cambridge, picked up from home dropped off at Stanstead, got back from holiday and house robbed.

Luckily their cctv managed to get a decent shot of same taxi driver and accomplice.

It was also quite common in Newcastle with some companies being closed down (and arrests made).

[MarkG_M5Comp]

Personally I don't see what the problem is - perfectly repairable:



Oh, perhaps not - non of the near side doors will open either:

[Watsey]

Originally Posted by MarkG_M50d

Personally I don't see what the problem is - perfectly repairable:

Attachment 1487054

Oh, perhaps not - non of the near side doors will open either:

Attachment 1487055

Do post those pics on prevalent social media.