Insurance write-off - second opinion?

nlamont

Our car had a bump to the front - my son's fault. The damage seemed minor but then we found we couldn't open the bonnet so we claimed on the insurance. We'd lost our no claims anyway to pay for damage to the other car. Tesco gave it to a local garage who now say it's a write-off. A guy from the insurance reeled off a whole range of parts which the garage had said needed replaced. It included even the air conditioning which was working fine, and which we always put off as soon as it comes on.

The upshot is that we've gone from having a dented but drivable car to having no car; they say we can have the car back but it'll be uninsured until we give them a new MOT and an independent engineer's report and a vehicle identity check. So if it's uninsured how can we legally drive it to another garage to get that? Is there any chance we can challenge the list of repairs or get them to get a second opinion? For example, they listed a headlamp as needing replaced - the headlamps were fine.

I checked the list value they gave and it's correct, I checked with another couple of lists and they were fairly consistent, so I'm not quibbling the amount they're offering, but this car has a lot of sentimental value in my family and certain family members are adamant about not letting it be scrapped. Can anyone advise me about the options? (The insurer is Tesco, by the way).

Hintza

The car is obviously not that young since hey have classed it as a Cat C write off (I say that because it needs a VIC check).

From what you say it doesn't seem to need a lot of work and if you check around you will probably get it fixed fairly cheaply.

The headlight will probably look ok but the brackets ae possibly broken and can probably be repaired. You want a small indepedent to have a look and price it up for you.

If you are in the West of Scotland my man might have a look at it or you.

Hintza

Couple of other points might be worth picking up the car anyway but don't let them overcharge you for it.

Don't get sentimental over cars they come and go.

Strider590

The only way that it could possibly benefit the garage to say it's "uneconomical to repair" is for them to repair the car for themselves and make a profit. Selling a cat C isn't going to be easy, so It's unlikely that they're being dishonest.

nlamont

Thanks. I'd like to know I had the option to take it to another garage for the most necessary repairs, but I don't see how I can do that if they won't insure it. He was adamant it won't be insured until repairs are done, which seems like catch-22. Does it mean we'd need to have another garage pick it up and tow it from the Tesco-used garage to their garage?

Strider590 - good point, but I don't think they're being dishonest, just that it seems Tesco have a certain standard that they'd require everything done to, which is higher than we'd need. Maybe. The guy from Tesco admitted that some of the list of replacements we could get away without, meaning I supposed it would be roadworthy without.

Also not sure if Tesco would then refuse to pay us anything at all if we got the car back?

Lum

Labour rates from garages are much higher when insurance companies are involved (my local bodyshop manager quite openly states that this is to cover the time lost dealing with them when he could be working on a customer car) so yes you could probably get this fixed quite cheaply.

Problem is you're going to have to get the car recovered to your new garage, and you can't just use a two rope onto another car either, so this is going to cost you.

Once repairs are carried out and you believe the car is roadworthy, you can legally drive it to the MOT and the VIC, your insurance cover is a separate issue though have a look at the other no MOT thread on this board where the ombudsman have said time and time again that no MOT is not a valid reason to withdraw cover.

To be safe and keep it simple I'd just recover it to a garage that can also MOT it.

Hammyman

nlamont wrote: »

Our car had a bump to the front - my son's fault. The damage seemed minor but then we found we couldn't open the bonnet so we claimed on the insurance. We'd lost our no claims anyway to pay for damage to the other car. Tesco gave it to a local garage who now say it's a write-off. A guy from the insurance reeled off a whole range of parts which the garage had said needed replaced. It included even the air conditioning which was working fine, and which we always put off as soon as it comes on.

.

How do you know the headlights are fine? The fact they've got glass in them and the bulb lights up doesn't mean they're OK - the mounting lugs could be broken and its held in by luck.

If its had a shunt hard enough to prevent the bonnet being opened, chances are the front subframe is bent. Along with that, it could have bent the aircon radiator and potentially knacked everything bolted to the front of the car.

vaio

Hammyman wrote: »

How do you know the headlights are fine? The fact they've got glass in them and the bulb lights up doesn't mean they're OK - the mounting lugs could be broken and its held in by luck.

If its had a shunt hard enough to prevent the bonnet being opened, chances are the front subframe is bent. Along with that, it could have bent the aircon radiator and potentially knacked everything bolted to the front of the car.

looking on the bright side the rear wheels are probably ok

nlamont

Ah - an optimistic note! Just what I needed! I'm going to call a local guy to see what recovery would cost but I'm beginning to feel getting rid of the problem is the easiest option. I just have to persuade some rather difficult family members of that. The insurance guy's constantly trying to get me, but I'm going to insist on a delay till I'm sure. They can't take it to salvage without my permission.

leoren

You could possibly get someone else to drive it to the next garage whilst using the 3rd party extention on their own fully comp insurance. It would't cover any further damage to your car if they had an accident but would cover any 3rd party claims which I believe is all you need insurance wise to move it. I'm not 100% positive on this so do some research but off the top of my head can't see any issue with it. Don't take what your claims handler is telling you on face value either. Call Tescos Underwriting team and ask what they can do to help you, explain you are trying to get a cheaper quote for repairs to save them and you money, they may be more suportive than claims.
Lastly, talk to your garage and ask if they will send a mechanic to inspect you car where it is now. If they do then problem solved.
Good luck

leoren

Oh and they might be able to send to salvage without your permission. Depends on their T&Cs. To be certain send recorded deliver letter to claims handler stating you are arranging for an independent engineer to asses the vehicle and you do not agree to any further action untill this has been completed and the report reviewed.