URGENT help please - CAR Written OFF :(

ssm_3

Dear ALL,
I am really overwhelmed by your response. Just so comforting to have so many nice people helping me in NEED. THANK YOU.

Well, I did not accept their offer when they called me and told them I will call back. I did call again now and again tried to negotiate - they are NOT budging a bit! I hung up and said I will convey my decision tomorrow.

Perhaps tomorrow I will ask about the Category of write-off. Thank you again.

I checked auto trader and found a very similar make & model & reg for £2995. Which is 500 more than they quoted. Will they accept the argument? Iam a bit nervous

tonys_3

If you have done your sums correctly, probably your best bet is to take the car back from them with a cheque for the difference and get the car done
yourself.But still keep haggling in the meantime.

Astaroth

Autotrader adverts arent the best place to look... after all I could put my car in there for £100,000 but that doesnt mean it would sell for that much. It is better to use the tools (particularly Glass which is the industry standard) and see what they say.

Also, check if the offer is inclusive or exclusive of your excess as some people dont realise the offer is already net of a £200 excess (or what ever it may be)

ssm_3

tonys wrote:

If you have done your sums correctly, probably your best bet is to take the car back from them with a cheque for the difference and get the car done
yourself.But still keep haggling in the meantime.

Thanks Tonys - However since they have written it off the insurance company agent advises me to take the offer up as I cannot sell my car again as the database now will show my car as write off.

Am I not losing in just taking it back?

greenstick

If they let you keep the car (depending on the catagory) you will be able to repair it and this won't stop you selling it, but will make it very hard as you MUST declare this when selling and will put most people off.

Even if you do find a buyer it will be at a reduced price.

It may also make it harder to insure in the future as you should declare this to your insurers.

My advice, take the financial hit now, rather then paying for the repairs (depending on the damage, the car may never drive right again) and taking the hit later. I know it's easy to say, but that's my 2p worth. Your call.

montrose5

ssm wrote:

Thanks Tonys - However since they have written it off the insurance company agent advises me to take the offer up as I cannot sell my car again as the database now will show my car as write off.

Am I not losing in just taking it back?

You really need to decide how long you intend to keep the car.If you want to run it into the ground then buy back is the best option. You can sell the car on as long as it's declared(legal write off repairs are more common than you would think) and would suggest you keep receipts for repair. As to values, a car is only worth as much as someone is willing to pay,insurance companies normally give the trade value.

Throbbe

As many have pointed out, there is no guarantee of an improved offer, but if you genuinely think they are trying it on that is the way to go. By way of example, I have negotiated a £100 valuation up to £1000 and £500 to £2000, but those are pretty extreme, the first had just had over £1000 spent on repairs (I'm older and wiser now) and the second is a 'show' car. Also worth noting that the first example took over 6 months of haggling, as I think they were hoping I'd give in.

ssm_3

Folks,

I got the car back - thanks to you all your comments and additional advice from my local garage (to whom I had taken the car after the incident).

The Salvage cost me £411 - 17% of the claim. Which seems to be really high but may be I am a poor haggler.

I now have to do a MOT (the car has about 8/9 Months left on it - so hoping since the accident did not cause damage to the car, it should pass).

Quite a few things to do now!!

Thank you for your words of wisdom - I will update you all on how I get on (more importantly the "NET" result).

Best regards

A_Nice_Englishman

Thanks for the update ssm. Sounds like good news so far

montrose5

Not too bad a result then, hope everything goes to plan.