We are currently parked in the PCYC caravan overflow, Broome. I very nice spot but I digress... Started talking to the neighbor as you do, particularly as he drives a 2011 Dmax. It turns out he is stuck here trying to sort out an insurance claim against some hire company, and his insurer AMMI. Someone reversed into the rear wheel, pushed the diff out of alignment, damaged the axle shaft and it drives funny.
So here is the story so far:
- AMMI don't have an assessor within a 1000kms of Broome and won't approve anything until one looks at it. And no, a report from ISUZU will not do
- They insist (to start with) that any repair must be with new parts
- Isuzu (yes a small dealer is here) "never has issues with rear diffs" so has no spares in the country...!!! That's a minimum of 8 weeks just to get the parts if they can be bothered. BTW I had the same issue when I needed a part for my driveshaft...same stupid wait
- I suggest contacting a diff recon place and yes Melbourne can get a second hand one, inspect and dispatch if required. I also suggested contacting a holden dealer as the diff in a 2011 colorado diesel is identical but that may tip AMMI and the Isuzu dealer over the edge
- Oh the Melbourne place says "we do AMMI stuff all the time so who told you it had to be new?"
- AMMI says "OK but we will only freight to Darwin....!!" and don't forget the assessor ... and no, we won't cover the cost to truck the ute to darwin
While I hate insurers in general, the idea that Isuzu doesn't carry some parts for it's only model is just staggering
And the story has got me thinking about what I would do differently. I have the usual RAC roadside assist upgrade for remote breakdowns and caravan recovery but what else if they drop me off in a place like Broome?
So here is the story so far:
- AMMI don't have an assessor within a 1000kms of Broome and won't approve anything until one looks at it. And no, a report from ISUZU will not do
- They insist (to start with) that any repair must be with new parts
- Isuzu (yes a small dealer is here) "never has issues with rear diffs" so has no spares in the country...!!! That's a minimum of 8 weeks just to get the parts if they can be bothered. BTW I had the same issue when I needed a part for my driveshaft...same stupid wait
- I suggest contacting a diff recon place and yes Melbourne can get a second hand one, inspect and dispatch if required. I also suggested contacting a holden dealer as the diff in a 2011 colorado diesel is identical but that may tip AMMI and the Isuzu dealer over the edge
- Oh the Melbourne place says "we do AMMI stuff all the time so who told you it had to be new?"
- AMMI says "OK but we will only freight to Darwin....!!" and don't forget the assessor ... and no, we won't cover the cost to truck the ute to darwin
While I hate insurers in general, the idea that Isuzu doesn't carry some parts for it's only model is just staggering
And the story has got me thinking about what I would do differently. I have the usual RAC roadside assist upgrade for remote breakdowns and caravan recovery but what else if they drop me off in a place like Broome?