Cat D write off - can I repair car and keep it?

Romily · 8 June 2012 at 4:14PM

I recently had a car accident that was the others party fault - somebody drove into my back whilst I was stationery. Other parties insurance accepted full liability. My insurance passed me on to a claims management agency who have provided me with a hire car and got the damage of my car assessed.

Turns out my car is a category D write off. I have been told I will get a settlement cheque from the others party insurance and then have to hand the hire car back. I have also been assured the car will stay in my possession and I can get it repaired or salvaged should I wish to do so.

I can't find confirmation anywhere that the car definitely stays in my possession, but instead read a lot online about having to buy the car back - does this only apply when you claim on your own insurance?

And as far as I can see a Cat D does not require MOT retesting and would therefore be legal to drive.

Would my own insurance still be valid (third party only) as I didn't claim on it, or am I likely to run into problem?

I just want to make sure I am not missing something as my plan is to accept the settlement and get the repairs done cheap 9it's an old car and I plan to replace it anyway in 2 years).

Thanks for any advise!!!

ktez · 8 June 2012 at 4:21PM

Hi

I can't help with the insurance bit however I do know that (in NI and I think the rest of the UK) that if a vehicle has been written off as either a cat c or cat d, then it will require a VIC test (Vehicle Identity Check) by the folk that do the MOTs. of course you will have no problem passing it as it is just checking that the identity of the car, however it will be an additional cost before putting it back on the road.

oscarward · 8 June 2012 at 4:38PM

I had a car written off as Cat D in very similar circumstances to you. I was given a settlement figure and was told if I wanted the car then the salvage valuation would be withheld from the settlement. I decided not to take this route and ended up with 2 cheques. 1 for the salvage value then another for the rest when the 3rd party insurers paid up.

I have seen the car on the road and met the new owner. He told me he bought it from the insurers for about half the write off value. I presume second hand parts were used to repair it as it was written off due to cost of parts. e,g, new xenon headlamp units £1000 each total parts cost £5600!

I did find a web site once where you could bid for cat d and c vehicles, some interesting possible projects there such as a MGD V8 with vandalism and water interior damage for not many pennies.

chanz4 · 8 June 2012 at 5:20PM

some insurance companys wont insure cat D or C so do check

s_b · 8 June 2012 at 5:24PM

Romily wrote: »

I recently had a car accident that was the others party fault - somebody drove into my back whilst I was stationery. Other parties insurance accepted full liability. My insurance passed me on to a claims management agency who have provided me with a hire car and got the damage of my car assessed.

Turns out my car is a category D write off. I have been told I will get a settlement cheque from the others party insurance and then have to hand the hire car back. I have also been assured the car will stay in my possession and I can get it repaired or salvaged should I wish to do so.

I can't find confirmation anywhere that the car definitely stays in my possession, but instead read a lot online about having to buy the car back - does this only apply when you claim on your own insurance?

And as far as I can see a Cat D does not require MOT retesting and would therefore be legal to drive.

Would my own insurance still be valid (third party only) as I didn't claim on it, or am I likely to run into problem?

I just want to make sure I am not missing something as my plan is to accept the settlement and get the repairs done cheap 9it's an old car and I plan to replace it anyway in 2 years).

Thanks for any advise!!!

if you have this in writing then you are clear to keep the salvage
no it wont require a vic
i would make sure the bump hasnt caused say a fractured brake line etc,its amazing what damage a little bump can do further down the line
might be best to ask insurer if it affects your insurance

vaio · 8 June 2012 at 5:26PM

cat d doesn't need VIC, existing tax & MOT remain valid. Your existing insurance should just carry on as long as your company isn't one of the very few (I think 2) that exclude cover on total losses.

Your policy documentation will give you everything you need and is likely to be more reliable than ringing and asking as call centre staff are often not particularly well trained and might give you wrong info.

All normal road worthyness considerations apply

forgotmyname · 8 June 2012 at 5:44PM

BIL bought his car back and the insurer would only cover it 3rd party.

They said they have already paid the full value of the car minus its scrap value and they wouldnt pay out again.

If an accident wasnt your fault you would need to claim all costs from the 3rd party.

Always ask before jumping in though.

Romily · 9 June 2012 at 10:59AM

Thanks everybody!

Further investigation revealed that the others party insurance already deducted the salvage value of the cheque they are going to issue, so it seems I didn't have any choice in the matter but the car is def mine. I don't mind too much am still happy with the amount proposed (which is slightly above market value at least that's what my research told me).

I will speak with my insurance today - car has been only insured third party in the first place so I don't think it will be a problem. But will have a read through all teh insurance docs as well, good point!

vaio · 9 June 2012 at 2:22PM

the policy docs are the important bit, see earlier comments about badly trained call centre staff

Cat D write off - can I repair car and keep it?

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