I knew there was trouble when I took a call from my wife whilst at work and in response to the usual greeting I got a tearful "not really, no".
It turned out that my wife had left the car parked outside a friend's house; handbrake on but not in gear (she's used to an automatic that doesn't budge when in park) and whilst enjoying a well-earned (!) cup of tea, somebody stuck their head over the fence and asked if anyone owns a silver Porsche, she had a look to see what was going on and found our car stuck in the side of a parked builder's van.
A witness advised that the car had very slowly trundled away with about a quarter of a turn of lock on and crossed the road before nestling in the van.
The next day I obtained a repair estimate from Fastlane Paint & Body via Porsche Hatfield and reported the incident to Royal and Sun Alliance. Fortunately, Fastlane are R&SA approved and the car went in a week later. George at Fastlane stayed in contact throughout and I arranged to have a few extra bits done at a very reassonable price including replacing the yellowing stone chip foils.
I picked the car up last night after two and a half weeks and I am pleased to report that the work done seems to be of a very high standard (they kept the car for an extra day because they were unhappy with the finish on the bonnet so they painted it again) and the car is probably as clean as when it was brand new. Don't think I am easily pleased, I am fussy and having been in the motor trade some twenty years ago I still have an eye for faults.
I would thoroughly recommend Fastlane (my thanks to George and the team) and R&SA as insurers. I was delighted to find a business in the motor trade that is actually striving to deliver in terms of customer service rather than just paying it lip-service by asking that satisfaction forms are completed.
In summary I would offer a word of advice; don't rely on the handbrake - always leave the car in gear !
JFK
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