Is car legally driveable - broken headlight housing

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kiwiharry

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#288324 21-Jun-2021 08:34

Hi.

My wife had a minor accident in our car just over a week ago. Still waiting for insurance assessor to review claim.

Our current insurance policy is due for renewal today and WOF is due in 2 days too.

Although car is driveable, wouldn't expect it to get a new WOF in its current state. It has scrapes and dents on front bumper and bonnet, but it also has a broken headlight housing, although lamps are fully functional.

Although we did have car booked into panel beaters last Friday they said they still don't have approval from insurance company so brought car back home.

Am looking to claim for a rental car under a clause in our insurance but wording states can only claim if car is "not legally driveable".

Hopefully somebody in the know here regarding WOF's is able to let me know if in their opinion car is not legally driveable with broken headlight housing.

Thanks

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#2731840 21-Jun-2021 08:45

I don't think it will be "WOF'able". Arguement will be that moisture can now access the bulbs, and blow the bulbs leaving you with no headlight/indicators.

But - take it in anyway, and if thats the only thing they fail you on..........

Just keep all paperwork in the car, so if a cop does pull you over, you can show it to them and most will be understanding - then go kick the insurance company to hurry up.

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#2731845 21-Jun-2021 09:01

From NZTA:

It’s your job to keep your vehicle up to WoF condition at all times. For example, while tyres on your vehicle may pass on the day of your warrant inspection, you’ll need to replace them as soon as the tread gets to the minimum depth.

It’s illegal to drive a vehicle…

If it doesn't meet WoF requirements.

If it doesn't display a valid WoF label.

You can drive your vehicle on the road under these circumstances only when taking it somewhere for repair or to get a new WoF – providing it’s safe to do so.

kiwiharry

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#2731848 21-Jun-2021 09:06

Thanks. I'll contact our claims advisor and let them know I intend to claim under the rental car clause.

That should hurry them up hopefully.

Panel beater can give us a loan car once claim is approved by assessor.

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wellygary

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#2731850 21-Jun-2021 09:07

Would likely fail on the "sharp pointy bits" clause

https://vehicleinspection.nzta.govt.nz/virms/in-service-wof-and-cof/general/vehicle-exterior/external-projections

Condition and performance

1. The risk of a component (Note 5) hooking a vehicle, or hooking or grazing a person, has not been minimised, eg a bonnet or bumper has been removed, exposing sharp, moving or hot components.

martyyn

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#2731856 21-Jun-2021 09:20

You need to find another insurance company and panelbeater. Both should've been able to answer your questions immediately and the unit should've been replaced by now.

You won't pass a WOF in it's current state and therefore the car should not be in the road as it is. I would at the very least cover the headlight in tape and obviously not drive with the lights on.

Is it even worth the insurance? How much is one of those units at a wrecker, or even new from a dealer?

kiwiharry

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#2731862 21-Jun-2021 09:32

martyyn: You need to find another insurance company and panelbeater. Both should've been able to answer your questions immediately and the unit should've been replaced by now.

You won't pass a WOF in it's current state and therefore the car should not be in the road as it is. I would at the very least cover the headlight in tape and obviously not drive with the lights on.

Is it even worth the insurance? How much is one of those units at a wrecker, or even new from a dealer?

Yeah am reviewing insurer due to time delay on this claim. Changed to them 3 years ago and first major claim. Previous claim was for cracked windscreens and that was super fast.

Panel beater sent photos through to insurer over a week ago too

There is panel damage on both left and right sides as well as the front. The other driver did a sudden u-turn in front of my wife. He was in left lane and she was in right lane.

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martyyn

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#2731915 21-Jun-2021 09:48

Sorry, I forgot there was panel damage as well. It all looks pretty minor though so the insurance company should've approved the work as soon as the panel beater sent through the photos.

Unless there is a problem with the other person involved, but that's the insurers problem, not yours.

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#2731924 21-Jun-2021 10:20

martyyn: You need to find another insurance company and panelbeater. Both should've been able to answer your questions immediately and the unit should've been replaced by now.

You won't pass a WOF in it's current state and therefore the car should not be in the road as it is. I would at the very least cover the headlight in tape and obviously not drive with the lights on.

Is it even worth the insurance? How much is one of those units at a wrecker, or even new from a dealer?

If its a Honda civic

roughly - Left light 2000$ right light 1000$

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#2731925 21-Jun-2021 10:21

Can OP tell me which insurance company it is, I know to stay clear

martyyn

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#2731935 21-Jun-2021 10:45

Batman:
If its a Honda civic

roughly - Left light 2000$ right light 1000$

And people keep telling me Euro's are expensive !

kiwiharry

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#2731943 21-Jun-2021 11:22

Batman:
martyyn: You need to find another insurance company and panelbeater. Both should've been able to answer your questions immediately and the unit should've been replaced by now.

You won't pass a WOF in it's current state and therefore the car should not be in the road as it is. I would at the very least cover the headlight in tape and obviously not drive with the lights on.

Is it even worth the insurance? How much is one of those units at a wrecker, or even new from a dealer?

If its a Honda civic

roughly - Left light 2000$ right light 1000$

No. Is a Hyundai i30.

Right headlight appears to be intact

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#2732041 21-Jun-2021 13:27

martyyn:

Batman:
If its a Honda civic

roughly - Left light 2000$ right light 1000$

And people keep telling me Euro's are expensive !

this was in 2004. might have gone up or down since ....