Write off question.

Duphrates

After 14 years of safe driving I finally had my first accident, which was my fault.
When I took my car to the insurers engineer, he said it will be about £900 to repair, which is higher than the value of the car (about £700-800). Consequently it will be 'beyond economical repair' or a write off.
Fine.
However it is only a headlamp and indicator that needs replacing, which I can do myself for about £40.
The car is a great runner and I definitely don't want to get rid of it.
Now my question is, if the insurance company offer me a cheque for £750 (minus excess of £150, can I take it, keep the car, repair the car and drive off with £550 in my pocket and my original reliable car?
Any answers will be received most gratefully as I haven't a clue how this works and ,if it is indeed possible, to make back a small percentage of the monies I have paid insurance companies over the years.

Bossyboots

We were told I could keep my car but declined because it was not practical to do so and we would have been stuck with getting rid of it.

Usually, once you have been paid out for the vehicle it belongs to the insurance company and I was very surprised to be told I could keep mine. It may vary from insurer to insurer, but it was Diamond who said I could keep mine and they were the third party insurer, not my own.

vickyn_2

You can keep your car but the BIG question you want to ask yourself here is do you really want to claim on your own insurance for the sake of a £40 repair, you could seriously damage your NC bonus and your premiums will go up further anyway!!! I personally wouldn't claim unless you can be sure it isn't going to affect your future payments.

Duphrates

Well, firstly, when I was kindly pointed to this site, I found I was paying WAY over the odds for my insurance (about £200)so I was about to change insurers.
Secondly in response to no claims bonus, I have had that protected for the last 3 years.

vickyn_2

Even if you change insurance company, the total amount of the claim will go against you, even if your NCD is protected. Also most insurance companies will only tolerate two claims within a certain period so if you did need to claim again you could lose it. Just worth thinking about thats all when you are talking about such a small repair.

chris73

But surely if the accident was the fault of the OP there would be a third party insurance claim against their insurers anyway for the damage to the other vehicle / street furniture? so how is not claiming for their own vehicle going to stop the accident affecting their future premiums?

vickyn_2

Because they normally judge it from the total amount of the claim including third party and your own, plus the risk of losing his NCD should he have another accident.... It was just a thought thats all but if the OP is sure that a) it won't affect his premiums and b) he isn't going to have any more accidents then he should go for it...

Duphrates

Okay, I'll wait for the insurers to get back in touch and I'll let you know the outcome.

/edit : and what is OP > offending party?

mattymoo

OP = original poster. You in this case

Duphrates

ha!ha!

*walks off sheepishly*

flang

What category was the car written off under? because if its A or B the car can never go back on the road.
useful link here http://www.car-accident-claim.com/html/CAAL%20What%20Is%20A%20Writeoff.htm