We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum. This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

Written off car value - can it be negotiated?

Folks :-
My other halves R plate automatic 1.8 Vectra has been written off after someone went into the back of it. The insurance company dealing with the claim has decided it's a CAT C write off and have offered £900 (minus £50 scrap value.)

My feeling is it's at the low end of the car's value - there is a significant premium for automatics. Is there any way of negotiating a better offer?

Thanks

Kevin

Comments

  • trigger_mike
    trigger_mike Posts: 1,554 Forumite
    This sounds like a fair price, Sadly used cars arn't worth very much any more.
    I've looked on the Parkers website and although you don't state the year or model, (i've quessed 1998 and LS) it only comes back as this http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/used-prices/Valuation.aspx?deriv=10856&plate=57&buysell=buy
    It may be worth turning down the first offer and gaggling for more but you may need proof it's woth more though.
  • tanith
    tanith Posts: 8,091 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    I had a 2yr old car written off in an accident not my fault and I spent a week arguing with the insurers to no avail they wouldn't budge. I only had the car 8mths and lost almost K2 on it . They said that it was usual to lose a fair amount of value and that if I wanted the full value I should of had 'gap' insurance.....

    Its worth arguing but it may get you nowhere..... good luck
    #6 of the SKI-ers Club :j

    "All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing" Edmund Burke
  • balsingh
    balsingh Posts: 1,494 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    I've just been through a similar situation. I chose not to accep thier offer so they asked me to send evidence that the car was worth more. As a result, I sent them:

    Ads from Autotrader showign similar cras sellign for over £500 more than the offer
    Ads from Loot
    Ads from Exchange & Mart
    Photocopy of the Full Peugeot History

    After all that, they still rejected it and didnt increase the offer. I have now accepted it and was told by my insurer to put in a complaint with the Insurance Ombudsman (which I do intend to do).

    hope that helps.
    If you found my comment helpful, please click the 'Thanks' button below :T
  • basill
    basill Posts: 1,411 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    tanith wrote:
    They said that it was usual to lose a fair amount of value and that if I wanted the full value I should of had 'gap' insurance.....

    Its worth arguing but it may get you nowhere..... good luck


    I thought gap insurance was there to cover the difference between the `book value` of a written off car and the amount required to clear the loan.
    It seems a bit cheeky for your insurance company to suggest you should be insured against their low valuation of your car.
    B
  • I think you need to prove that your car was a better example than the ones you would be able to replace it with,given the payout they are offering you.

    As others have said do not accept their first offer,have you recently spent money on your car?you could advise them of this,their first offer is very often the one many people accept and this is why they make it low.
    :) There are two sides to every story.
    I am not a SAINT just a saints supporter(saints RLFC)Grand final winners 2006.World club champions 2007.
  • Astaroth
    Astaroth Posts: 5,444 Forumite
    Remember that by declining the offer the insurance company is perfectly entitled to REDUCE the offer if they decide to.

    Ads in papers etc are not that useful really.... I could put my old Saxo (98) in autotrader tomorrow for £500,000 - that doesnt mean that someone else who has just had their saxo written off could argue that their car was now worth £500k because of my advert
    All posts made are simply my own opinions and are neither professional advice nor the opinions of my employers
    No Advertising or Links in Signatures by Site Rules - MSE Forum Team 2
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 347.2K Banking & Borrowing
  • 251.6K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 451.8K Spending & Discounts
  • 239.5K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 615.4K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 175.1K Life & Family
  • 252.8K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.