car insurance claim

lizzzibizzzi

Does anyone know anything about the rules about written off cars?

I had an accident 6 months ago (other party admitted full responsibility) and my insurance company told me my car was an economic write off. However, as the repairs would only have cost £150 more, and I have a letter from an independent garage saying my car is still perfectly roadworthy, do I have any rights to ask for settlement at the amount offered for the write off but without it technically being written off?

Sk8lly

Hi There

Have you had any payment already for the car?? Are you still using the car?? If the vehicle is driveable then you may be able to still keep it. But only if there is no suspension or chassis damage, If there is chassis damage the car would be deemed unsafe and total lossed. If there isnt that damage then you can request a cash in lieu settlement which means the insurance give you so much money and then the car, which you can then use the money to repair the car. Just depends what category of total loss your car is deemed.

mancitychick

Sk8lly wrote:

Hi There


If there isnt that damage then you can request a cash in lieu settlement which means the insurance give you so much money and then the car, which you can then use the money to repair the car. Just depends what category of total loss your car is deemed.

Once your insurance co give you the payout they then own the car. You can then buy the car back off them for (normally) a knocked down price, then use the money left over towards the repairs.

lizzzibizzzi

Hi
No have not already had any payment for the car and have been driving it for the 6 months since the accident! I've been trying to get them to offer me a cash in lieu settlement without them writing off the car but they keep saying the car HAS to be written off even though it's just an economic write off. I could have it written off and buy it back, but would then have to take it for a DVLA check before re-registering it which is just more hastle (I have had nothing but hastle already from my insurance company, including them taking months to answer correspondence, losing my car etc so do not really want to have to send them my ownership documents, MOT etc as I don't really trust them not to lose them too!). For anyone who is interested, although this company is cheap, would I recommend them? OH NO!