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Classic car written off - valuation help needed!
Rotherham_Lass
Posts: 460 Forumite
in Motoring
Before Christmas my VW Mk1 Golf Cabriolet was broken in to whilst on my drive. They slashed and bent the roof, damaged the lock, knocked off the ignition etc and only didn't take it because the battery was flat.
It has since been taken away and deemed to be beyond economical repair. In my opinion, having seen lots of these cars as an enthusiast, it is in good condition for its age and has low mileage (just 78,000). It is also all original with only a few scuffs and a minor bit of rust in one place.
The engineer that viewed the car has said that it is in poor condition and that he has looked on the internet and cars like it are going for £900 - £950. ( I would lobe o know where!!) I believe the car is worth around £1500 - £1700. I have looked on Autotrader and the cheapest one in the whole country is £1200. It would also be worth more in the summer when demand is higher although I know this is really irrelevant.
My question is, what is the best way to approach this with the insurance company? Do I go down the emotive route or stick to the facts? I am really upset that they have offered me such a derisive sum! I know I need to look for examples of other cars. Can I annotate these or do I put all my points down in a letter then just include the print outs? Will there be a lot of toing and froing with offers or will they just give me one more offer then take it or leave it? Is it worth me trying to buy the car back?
Any help appreciated!
It has since been taken away and deemed to be beyond economical repair. In my opinion, having seen lots of these cars as an enthusiast, it is in good condition for its age and has low mileage (just 78,000). It is also all original with only a few scuffs and a minor bit of rust in one place.
The engineer that viewed the car has said that it is in poor condition and that he has looked on the internet and cars like it are going for £900 - £950. ( I would lobe o know where!!) I believe the car is worth around £1500 - £1700. I have looked on Autotrader and the cheapest one in the whole country is £1200. It would also be worth more in the summer when demand is higher although I know this is really irrelevant.
My question is, what is the best way to approach this with the insurance company? Do I go down the emotive route or stick to the facts? I am really upset that they have offered me such a derisive sum! I know I need to look for examples of other cars. Can I annotate these or do I put all my points down in a letter then just include the print outs? Will there be a lot of toing and froing with offers or will they just give me one more offer then take it or leave it? Is it worth me trying to buy the car back?
Any help appreciated!
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Comments
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Should have had specialist or classic car insurance, regular insurance is for cars that typically devalue....
I don't know what you can now, you'll find this a very hard battle to win.“I may not agree with you, but I will defend to the death your right to make an a** of yourself.”
<><><><><><><><><<><><><><><><><><><><><><> Don't forget to like and subscribe \/ \/ \/0 -
I went through a classic car insurance broker so thought I did have specialist insurance.
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Present your proof the car is worth more by printing off the ads online and showing the person doing that valuation in the hope they may change their mind.
Other than that there's little you can do.0 -
Rotherham_Lass wrote: »I went through a classic car insurance broker so thought I did have specialist insurance.
Too late now. If you had a proper classic car policy, you would have the following:Agreed value cover – many insurers will only pay out the 'market value' of your classic car if you suffer a total loss. We can assess your car and agree cover for its true value, so you won't get a nasty surprise if you need to make a claim.:doh: Blue text on this forum usually signifies hyperlinks, so click on them!..:wall:0 -
Why does the engineer think its poor condition? Thought maybe they are right and you are wrong? Shiny doesnt mean good condition.0
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I know its a MK1 Cab but what model?.... Clipper? Sportline? Rivage etc?....0
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MrRedundant wrote: »Why does the engineer think its poor condition? Thought maybe they are right and you are wrong? Shiny doesnt mean good condition.
Maybe because he spotted a bit of rust on one bit of the car? Maybe because it had been standing since October and had cobwebs on it and was dirty and not as shiny as it usually is? Maybe because he hasn't seen many of these classic cars before in his job? I don't know... all I do know is that in VW circles it is considered to be in good condition and that they sell for plenty more than £900.
Sorry, hope that didn't sound too defensive!
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Flying-High wrote: »I know its a MK1 Cab but what model?.... Clipper? Sportline? Rivage etc?....
It's a 1990 Clipper.0 -
My gf had a similar problem in the past when some idiot decided to jump on the bonnet of her car and kick a big dent in the wing.
The insurers didn't want to pay for repair, but my gf didn't want to write the car off for what they were offering.
In the end the insurers settled the insurance by paying out £600 and cancelling the policy. My gf then had £600 to get the car repaired herself.
You just need to speak to your insurance company and see what options are open to you.
If you still want the car and think you can get it repaired for less than the settlement, do that.
They may be open to negotiations, because if they have offered you £900 for your car now, they have to pay you £900 then sort out getting rid of your car. You may be able to negotiate a deal where they pay you say £700 and you keep the car.
Just like buying it back really.0 -
Rotherham_Lass wrote: »It's a 1990 Clipper.
But thats why you havent got classic car insurance - I thought it was only deemed a 'classic car' after 25 years hence the cheap tax..
Also how much does a new roof for one cost?"If you no longer go for a gap, you are no longer a racing driver" - Ayrton Senna0
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