Nice people thread part 3- Nice as pie

PasturesNew

lostinrates wrote: »

It might be worth buying back and getting a new body.

Car or OH?

Davesnave

Buying back is what I did. Insurers always base their repair estimate on what it would cost from a posh garage; one with a reception area that has real carpets. A little bloke, who specialises, especially one who needs a job for those quieter moments, could probably do the work at a third of the price.

Ours is a bit more battered after this winter. Not only did it have a knock when it ran off in November, but DW parked it on a glacier near Christmas time. Instead of rolling, it gently slid along during the night until a helpful wall came to the rescue.

silvercar

Davesnave wrote: »

Buying back is what I did. Insurers always base their repair estimate on what it would cost from a posh garage; one with a reception area that has real carpets. A little bloke, who specialises, especially one who needs a job for those quieter moments, could probably do the work at a third of the price.

Ours is a bit more battered after this winter. Not only did it have a knock when it ran off in November, but DW parked it on a glacier near Christmas time. Instead of rolling, it gently slid along during the night until a helpful wall came to the rescue.

Does buying back the car mean the insurance costs more?

lostinrates

Well...I'm thrilled. DH has decided to work from home at least tomorrow.:) I had visions of him relaising on the train he felt dreadful,or tomorrow afternoon in the office. From here I can pander to his every whim while he works and feed him hot, healing food and the cats can drape around his neck to keep it warm.

The dog astounded me by bowling over to the shed we leave the car in to ask for a car ride. She LOVES the car but I did think today might have put her off a little.

DH had o squezze her through the front window, and as they got to the side of the road she, terrified shot off into the middle of a field...arable at least. A very very kind farmer and wife were nearby and came out, the farmer's wife saw there was a dog and went in for dog biscuits. (My dog will almost never take biscuits from non-family but it was a lovely thing to do). When dog-dog saw me she was so joyous. I can't believe they are both fine. DH thinks he's got a little glass in his hand so he's soaking in the bath and I'm going to have a look.


How do you buy back if its a right off...to who do you make th offer? I'm guessing it will cost a bit, as there is potentially a lot of scrap in that big car.

silvercar

How do you buy back if its a right off...to who do you make th offer? I'm guessing it will cost a bit, as there is potentially a lot of scrap in that big car.

The insurance pay out its value (negotiate). They then sell it to scrap dealers and the like, but they will give you the option of buying it instead, so you are buying it off the insurer. Effectively you are giving back to them less than they gave you. (As they would pay you the value pre-accident and you are buying a damaged vehicle.

You then get it roadworthy again. It may have to be inspected by the local DVLA to prove its road worthiness. There are different categories of write off. That is why you see adverts for cars denoted "cat D" or "cat C". I think one means that it is roadworthy but the costs of the repairs out-valued the car and another is that it was mechanically unsound.

misskool

lir: there's a motoring section on mse too.

There are some strident posters but they can give you advice re insurance and stuff

Davesnave

silvercar wrote: »

Does buying back the car mean the insurance costs more?

No, the insurance is often unaffected, but they only allow Third Party Fire & Theft on the vehicle thereafter. In my case, that's not a lot cheaper than Comp.

I've bought back twice, when the accident was someone else's fault. In both cases the cars were roadworthy and could have been driven without a repair.

I'm not at all sure that they would allow a buy back if it was deemed an own-fault accident.

Lir, a word with Clarence might be worthwhile. When I wrote off my first Primera in Wilts, I was going too fast, but it was one of their 'orrible potholes which actually threw me off the road. I complained about it, and it was filled within days.

http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/council/corporatecomplaints/telcomplaints.htm

I think all councils keep statistics, of incidents reported. Devon have told our parish council that our horrid junction by the station will cost too much to sort, relative to the seriousness of accidents there. In other words, we need a fatality or two!

StevieJ

PasturesNew wrote: »

The north scares me. I don't know it, I don't know anybody up there.

And they all talk funny

Pastures to you have one of those yokel accents you know like the Wurzels

PasturesNew

StevieJ wrote: »

Pastures to you have one of those yokel accents you know like the Wurzels

No, I have a Cambridge accent.... I am not from round 'ere me 'ansom.

lostinrates

Davesnave wrote: »

A little bloke, who specialises, especially one who needs a job for those quieter moments, could probably do the work at a third of the price.

Finding one of these is my dream. Never have managed it successfully.