Write-Off

diamondsky

Hi,

A car hit my parked car outside my house. The driver ran away, police assume he was drunk and driving. He left his car behind wrecked and whacked my front and damaged the end. The police are tracing the driver as they think he owned the car but ran because he was drunk.

Question is, my partner phoned his insurers who said because it was 11 year old mondeo they would write it off. The car has been kept in good condition and £300.00 was spent at the service 2 wks ago. The insurer has offered £600.00 for it and I don't know whether this is correct or not. What happens about the £300.00 spent, the road tax, year fully comp insurance, the towing away for writing it off, the policy excess, my partner's no claims bonus as the car is on his insurance. etc.

Anyone know how this works?

vansboy

Is your insurer a 'direct' type of company, or a broker.

If it's a broker, he should do all the chasing on YOUR behalf.

If it's direct, you'll need them to operate whatever is their normal procedure.

The removal of the vehicle, will be their responsibility, as you will sign it over to them, once you accept the payout.

If the £300 was just standard maintainence, you'll not get anything extra for this. If it was to improve the car, repaining, or replace non-service items, maybe'

BUT if you've altered it/modified it, with, say, new wheels,stereo etc, you're insurers would have needed to be told when it was done, as they don't like this sort of thing & would probably up your premium.

You can cash in the rest of the tax for a refund, form in Post Office. Don't do this while the vehicle is on the highway & caim not finalised.

Your excess will be deducted from whatever they pay out to you.

The no claims bonus loss, unless protected, will be affected.

The balance of your years premium, will be transfered to your new car - admin charge MIGHT be waived, if you argue it.

If the Police do prosecute/find the driver, you COULD carry out a seperate claim, in Small Claims Court, against him - if you've Legal Cover in home insurance policy, maybe some help there.

Good luck!!

VB

hjb123

I am pretty sure that you can claim back for the unused road tax (by quarter of years). Whether this is the same for anything else I dont know

hjb123

Oh and siphon the fuel out aswell, dont let the vehicle go full of fuel, we had just filled a car right up when it got bumped and taken away once and had £30 of fuel in it - forgot to siphon it out!

misterthrifty

I agree with most of the above except that the other drivers insurance will still be involved. They cannot refuse to pay you just because he left the scene and you are entitled to get the insurance details from the police. You will be able to claim back any un-insured losses eg excess, cost of running about looking for a new car, bus fares, taxis, telephone calls etc. Keep a log now of any expenses you incur and you can use this as evidence along with invoices.

If you feel it is serious enough you could instruct a solicitor to act for you and they will recover their costs if succesful, though this may be a %age of what you get. If you make a recovery then your NCB will not be reduced and this could be substantial!

Good luck

Mr T

diamondsky

Hi,
Thanks for the replies. The insurer phoned my partner this morning, talk about letting you get over the shock and sort yourself out!

My partner accepted the £600.00 and I guess that's the matter over with. The car I think is being taken away...