There’s something about a Land Rover Defender that makes it more than just a vehicle—it’s a part of the family, a companion on every adventure. So, when my beloved Defender, Georg-E, was in an accident, I wasn’t about to let an insurance company decide his fate.
The Insurance Battle
The insurers took one look at the repair estimate by their panel beaters—over 50% of the car’s value—and decided to scrap the vehicle. Naturally, I objected. Hard. No way was I letting Georg-E be written off without a fight. He was driving and structurally fine, just looked like he had been in a fight. After some intense negotiations, I was paid out R148,000 to repair the vehicle myself. However, there was a catch.
The Defender would be uninsured going forward.
My car hire cover? Gone.
I had to complete all repairs within two weeks, during which they agreed to extend coverage as a final concession.
The Repair Marathon
With no hired car to help, the next two weeks became a logistical nightmare. Georg-E had to visit:
A mechanic – to get him roadworthy again.
An auto electrician – because let’s be honest, old Defenders always need wiring help.
Panel beaters – and not the kind who just swap parts, but real craftsmen.
Bull bar and side step specialists – to get him armoured up once more.
DEKRA report-for insurance company to cover again.
Despite the insurance company’s dire predictions, the final repair bill was Just R35,000. That’s right. What they deemed a financial disaster turned out to be a minor setback.
The Silver Lining
With a whopping R113,000 left over, I put it to good use. Our other car had just suffered an engine failure, leaving us with a second non-functional vehicle. That payout went straight into buying my wife a new car.
Moral of the Story?
Don’t let insurance companies dictate the fate of a vehicle you love.
Negotiate. Hard. Even when it seems like they hold all the cards, you can find a way to get the best deal.
Knowing the right people for repairs is a game-changer. Not all panel beaters are equal.
Sometimes, life’s curveballs can lead to unexpected wins. Georg-E is back on the road, and my wife has a new car.
After the repairs just missing stripes!!!
At the end of the day, fighting for Georg-E was worth every ounce of stress. The old Landy lives on, and so does the adventure.