Write off question.

Duphrates

Ahhh...thanks Flang.
That seems to be the case. I've just phoned them, but they still haven't got the engineers report back. If it's a category C & D, they will give me what is called a cash-in-lieu for me to go and repair it.
Touch wood, fingers crossed it will come back write off cat c or d.

billy_bulldog

Duphrates wrote:

Secondly in response to no claims bonus, I have had that protected for the last 3 years.

Don't get fooled by this. You may keep the same percentage NCD, but find that your initial premium goes up. :eek: Insurance underwriters are expert in this kind of number crunching and make sure that they never loose.:mad:

Duphrates

Thanks.
Would this happen if I changed insurance companies? I was going to change anyway as I'm paying about £200 over the odds as it is. I could leave after this claim and when the new insurance company asks about no claims I can still say 14 years. Or am I missing something?

Astaroth

They also ask if you have had any claims or anything that could have resulted in a claim in the last X years (varies from 3-5 years typically) and will then ask what happened and when.

Almost all insurers load details of claims to the likes of CUE and CIFAS so if you dont declare something that has been claimed for it is easy for an insurer to catch you out and you can then kiss goodbye to ever getting normal priced insurance again (and have issues with credit having been caught out for fraud)

flang

Duphrates wrote:

Ahhh...thanks Flang.
That seems to be the case. I've just phoned them, but they still haven't got the engineers report back. If it's a category C & D, they will give me what is called a cash-in-lieu for me to go and repair it.
Touch wood, fingers crossed it will come back write off cat c or d.

I believe that even if your car is a Cat C or D writeoff the car has to be checked by the VOSA? for safety and the test cost about £80. (sometimes it just not worth the hassle!)

Astaroth

A lot of time for a cat C/D/E write off they will simply ask for a new MOT to be done before it is returned to the road but it is up to the insurer on its rules

1jim

hi
my brother in law has just totalled his car, the garage said it would be a write off, he is now worried that they will offer him a low amount for his car so that he wont be able to buy another car of the same spec for this amount, can they do this? i thought insurance was supposed to put you back in a position that you would have been if the accident had not happend
any ideas?
thanks

Astaroth

They will settle the claim at what they believe is the second hand private sale value of the vehicle minus the excess. Therefore if you added the excess back to the amount you should be able to buy the same vehicle in the same condition from the likes of Autotrader or the classified ads (after negotiating)

little_miss_thrifty

Astaroth wrote:

A lot of time for a cat C/D/E write off they will simply ask for a new MOT to be done before it is returned to the road but it is up to the insurer on its rules

Hi, sorry but this is not true - Category C requires you to present the vehicle for an inspection, or VIN Check - this check though does not ensure that the car repair (if you have done it yourself) is road worthy though, it is purely to establish that it is the same vehicle before the accident; ie, checking vin plate, chassis, reg etc.

Category D does not require this as is usually means the vehicle has had light damage and category E does not exist...
Cat A - scrapped (ie burnt shell)
Cat B - Scrapped/breaker only
Cat C - Extensive but repairable damage
Cat D - light damage
Cat X - stolen/recovered - not recorded with DVLA.

LMT

adonis

I had a car written off not my fault, bumper rear light and a few small dents.
Well worth keeping the car on the road if it is cosmetic damage and in reasonable condition.