broken parking sensors - dispute with insurance company

PTE · #1 03-25-2009, 06:20 AM

Our 2000 X5 is in the bodyshop at the moment having its rear bumper replaced. We are having this done under insurance.

We managed to hook it on to a post when reversing and foolishly pulled forward rather than stopping to remove the obstruction. This managed to peel the bumper away from the car.

Hence the new bumper. However as a consequence a couple of the rear parking sensors were pulled off and the whole - front and rear - parking sensor system stopped working.

Although they have replaced the rear sensors/wiring loom, the front ones are still not working. And the insurance company is saying that is an unrelated/pre-existing/co-incidental fault and nothing to do with the damage resulting from the rear bumper being pulled off and are currently unwilling to repair the front sensors.

This is untrue since all the sensors - front and rear - were working fine (although clearly still didnt prevent our careless driving in the first place

). The insurance company said that they would speak to BMW directly and I am waiting for them to come back to me.

Ahead of my conversation with the insurance company does anyone know how the BMW parking sensor system works and what could be affected that would cause both front and rear to fail?

Thanks in advance!

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StumpyPete · #2 03-25-2009, 07:26 AM

All of the sensors plug into the PDC control unit which is in the back somewhere. Potentially I guess the connections at the control unit could've been damaged by the accident.

PTE · #3 03-25-2009, 08:01 AM

Thanks for the advice....that could very well explain the problem...when the bumper was pulled off the wires would have been yanked...so the PDC control unit could have been damaged itself or the wires to the front senors dislodged...

anerbe · #4 03-25-2009, 08:17 AM

unfortunately, if i was the insurance company, I would debate the same thing. nothing touched the front. that's like saying that my xenon lights went off because i broke my tail-light (in their eyes)

The control unit would be the better route, as this could have been damaged due to the hit. Is this body shop a BMW recommended one? Hopefully it is, as it is easier to coordinate with the service center in diagnosing/replacing parts.

Good luck!

PTE · #5 03-25-2009, 08:56 AM

There isnt a problem with the actual sensors at the front..they are still functional (I assume..) since they were all working before the accident. You are right they weren't touched. However the sensing function is now not working because of a problem resulting from the damage to rear. So it does sound like the control unit.

No the body shop is an insurance recommended one since they supply a courtesy car and I need a car for work. If I chose a BMW shop I would not have had the courtesy car or would have had to rent one at my own expense.

At least I've got a bit more knowledge now for when I speak with the insurance company again.

Puddlejumper · #6 03-25-2009, 10:41 AM

Wow! That's terrible. Do you have a goverment insurance commission where you can voice your complaint? In the US each state has one to correct these matters.

PTE · #7 03-25-2009, 11:32 AM

I imagine there is some kind of regulatory body for Insurance Companies in the UK, never really needed to look into it before... dont really want to get to that if I can help it.

Have got an update though. The rep from the Insurance company has been to see my car at the bodyshop. Agrees that the front sensors are not working and is arranging for my car to go to BMW for them to check it out.

Will let you know what happens next.

Thanks all for your help

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