Car written off. Help please...!

LordLee

raskazz wrote: »

Protected NCD does what it says 'on the tin', as it were, so you may retain your NCD but the premium will still increase as the premium calculated before the NCD is applied will go up due to the claim.

If you were at fault or partially at fault for the accident you may as well go through insurance. So probably best to get on to the insurer with the cheap independent estimate and evidence that the car's pre-accident value is higher, if you can prove to them that the repairs come in at under the 60% cutoff they should agree to it.

Thanks. Hmmm i'm wondering if a mobile mechanic (albeit a very good one) would satisfy an insurance company. Doesn't the work have to be carried out by a certified garage? Obviously another MOT would be required i'm sure. It passed two months ago.

It so annoying as it is all superficial damage and the car has been sooo reliable.

Ahhh well... i need to wait for the insurance offer to arrive on paper anyway. In the meantime i better stall the hire car going back for as long as poss.

Oh... and in my opinion, i was not at fault. But that's not for me to decide.

Todddeman

You can pay for your own assessor to value the vehicle, although this cost will be incurred by you and you run the risk of your assessor and the insurance company actually agreeing.

Buy the salvage back from them for the value of the claim and then repair the vehicle.

And are you sure the reduction of £250 is not just your excess?

LordLee

Todddeman wrote: »

You can pay for your own assessor to value the vehicle, although this cost will be incurred by you and you run the risk of your assessor and the insurance company actually agreeing.

Buy the salvage back from them for the value of the claim and then repair the vehicle.

And are you sure the reduction of £250 is not just your excess?

Yip. They've already told me £550 minus £300 excess. So i'll be left with £250 and no car.

Happy days.

Todddeman

nice lol, well the only thing now is withdraw your part of the claim, or get your own assessor. To be honest your banjaxed.

LordLee

Todddeman wrote: »

nice lol, well the only thing now is withdraw your part of the claim, or get your own assessor. To be honest your banjaxed.

withdraw my part of the claim? what does that mean? can i do that?

Quentin

You can, but you'd have to reimburse your insurers for their outlay on you so far (hire car, any storage, etc). Then your claim could be cancelled. (Though the incident would remain on your record)

fad1211

just my tuppence worth, i have found that even if you cancel your claim, your premiums will still go up as although there is no claim, it is still classed as 'an incident', which will remain on your record, and must be declared. Daft, I know, but by notifying insurance companies of bangs that u later decide you will fix yourself can still go against you. Experience talks here.

rich010273

In my opinion "Uneconomical to repair" is only valid when you are at fault for an accident.
Insurers like to try and use this reason for when you are hit too if they are allowed to get away with it (as it's cheaper for the 3rd party insurer but not you and you don't matter).

If it is proveable it is not your fault (the damage itself could prove this), you need the car, know it's problems, like the car and think it's got a few years left in it yet then I'd pay for the repair yourself and then charge the 3rd Party insurer with your bill.

LordLee

Ok... the plot thickens. Once again, any advice welcome.

I know a reputable mechanic who can repair the car for £290. Yes... £290, way off the £1100 they seem to think it will cost to repair.

I called my insurance company and told them not only do I dispute the value of the car but also the estimate for repair. I was told that as this £290 quote is within the amount of my excess (£300) then as long as their Total Loss Dep agree, i can repair the car myself and all will be hunkydory.

Alas no. This is not possible as the Total Loss 'team' deem the car a 'Category B' Write off. They told me this means the car has come to the end of it's life and will not be taxed or insured in the future. All of this for a car that needs a new wing, headlight and indicator.

I tell the insurance company it is deemed a Cat B but i do not agree with the estimate placing my car in this category.

I am told that i may get an independent engineer to perform another estimate. If it comes in under their original price AND THEY AGREE WITH IT... they may repay me the engineer costs and proceed.

I'm beside myself with what to do? They will not budge on the car's value or total loss. All over a prang that requires superficial repair.

Any advice anyone? Where can i find these 'Engineers' and how much would they cost?

Quentin

The "reputable mechanic" should be able to recommend you an independent engineer who would quote you the fee you'd be charged.

Though are you certain the damage is just superficial, or is it just the damage you can see that is "superficial" (and there is more unseen damage)?