Insurance claiming chassis number does not match the car

[roonyh]

One of my friends recently got into an accident and is still recovering.

The insurance valuator checked the damaged vehicle (a starlet) and told them that according to the chassis number it is a 5 door car. The car is actually a 3 door car. The chassis number engraved in the car does match the one in the book.

Now the insurance guy wants to get away by paying a small amount of money. They say they have to go through some process at RMV if we want a bigger sum.

My friend absolutely did not tamper with the chassis number or do any large modification from 5 door to 3 door etc. But the car has several previous owners.

Any idea what this process at RMV is? Will my friend get into any trouble? 

Does RMV has the information if the car is 5 door or 3 door based on chassis number? I don't see it mentioned in the book anywhere.

Thank you very much for any information!

 

Edited July 20 by roonyh

[john cooper]

G'day roonyh

Sad to hear about your friend, and hope he will recover soon!

Side question, is that Starlet one of the converted to Glanza Z's?

I know a lot of Lankans use Toy* Diy site for the checks, especially to prove their 20+ year old Van is a GL optioned from the factory, NOT a DX Van, their neighbour has. I don't know the integrity of that site's data source.

It is quite normal for insurance companies to try to get away with payments where possible, so challenge the Insurance company to provide the details of their source
I don't believe the insurance can refer to a random website and decline/ reduce payment.

Since your mate is the current owner of the car (believe the book owner too), he is responsible.

Not sure if the RMV has the details if the car is a 3 or 5 door's but in a legal case, they may be able to verify the details with the authorised dealer.

[Quiet]

Also check if Insurer has done valid check of engine and chassis number pre insurance, now thy cant come and say vehicle is invalid ask them for proof of inspection, they cant now come and tell it is illegal

[iRage]

Well......what is the model number of the car that is on the ID plate? Not the chassis number (i.e. Frame no) but the model number - see photo

Since the 3D and the 5D both had the same model codes the chassis numbers between the plate and the body can be made to match and cannot distinctly identify whether it is a 3D or a 5D by the number itself. My guess is that the insurance company might have gotten the model number and then realised that it doesn't match with the actual car.