Car Crash - Write Off.. What's the best to do?

NatterJack_Toad

I bumped my car into another car.

Stupid.

It totalled about 2.5k in damage.

My car is worth now, roughly 3.6k

So Im guessing the insurance (More Than) will not pay off for repairs.

So, *IF* it is a total write off, what should I do?

What amount do you think I will get back from the company?

And I am seriously thinking about taking that money and paying for the repairs myself, because, for 2.5k to get that car back on the road will probably be cheaper than buying another car which is as good.

So, how do I go about that?

I apparently send my MOT in to the insurance company because they've written it off. Then I need to spend on the repairs and get the car back to pass it's MOT. Once I send this MOT to the company they will activate my insurance again and all is well.. Or am I hoping too much? Is it worth it? I'm really stuck and upset about this whole thing.

Advice?

NatterJack_Toad

In case this helps, it was a bump into the back of another car.

Their car was ok.

Mine collapsed in.

New bonnett, bumper, lights, front bits (not very technical), radiator and oil cooler.

So, overall the car isnt too bad once all them are replaced.

Not as if it's been in a big crash.

bdk

Unfortunatley bit more complicated .. sorry to hear about the crash mate...

well here goes

1. You normally lose your remainder of your premium if a right off . take that into account

Then to get car back you have to in effect BUY the car back from the insurance company and they give you some money towards repairs thats assuming you claim for the car.. (normally can buy back for £100 and they normally give you a reasonable amount for the car repairs ie 1000- 1500

OR if you dont claim for your car you have to repair to a suitable standard and then the insurance people then decide whether you can have fully comp else its 3rds party

Its happened to me before tell you truth once its a right off seriously consider the repairing yourself option cos they hardly pay you anything for your car its normally trade value !!!

Hope that helps !!

Seraphim

It will also depend on what sort of write-off your car is classified as. If it is classified as 'A' or 'B', it is never allowed on the road again. If it is classified as 'C' or 'D', it will be allowed back on the road subject to repair and the passing of a Thatcham approved (I think?) test.

From the sounds of it, it should be classed as either 'C' or 'D', but sometimes the smallest of *visible* damage can cause underlying damage to the chassis etc in which case, you won't be able to repair the car.

NatterJack_Toad

It is classified as C. As it is repairable. But as it's 2.5k it is beyond economic repair.


So, saying, if they write it off completely they'll give me around 3.6k (minus excess)?

But if I keep the car they'll charge me a couple of hundred and then only give me approx 1.25k for repairs?


I know I should be patient and wait for them to ring but it's really worrying me all this money talk.

bdk

1.25K was an example .. they normally give you enough to pay for the repair privately ... remember the companies that insurance people use to do the repairs charge ridulculous amounts .. so privately the 2.5 K repair bill may only be around about 1.5K .. but it depends from situation to situation...

NatterJack_Toad

Thanks.

Sorry if I am sounding like a complete rookie (I am), but my car is sat in a garage unable to drive. How do I get it from one garage to the next, hopefully cheaper one?

NatterJack_Toad

Another question I'm afraid.

The guy at the garage has informed the insurance company that it is a 50/50 whether or not the car will be a write off.

Does that suggest that if it is a write off it WILL be a category C?

yogi3

cat b: Where a vehicle has sustained serious damage, is beyond economical repair and cannot be safely repaired. The vehicle should not be repaired but sold for parts only to authorised breakers / dismantlers.

cat c: A vehicle where the repairs are assessed by the inspecting engineer as, exceeding the pre-accident market value. These vehicles are repairable.

cat d: Where the cost of repairs do not exceed the value of the vehicle but either the insurer or the insured does not want to repair the vehicle. These vehicles are repairable

once repaired a cat c needs a vic test.

The scheme states that all accident damaged and/or substantially repaired cars recorded by the DVLA (At Universal this translates into ALL CATEGORY C Vehicles and does not include Motorcycles or Commercials) must pass a Vehicle Identity Check at an approved VIC Testing Station before they can be returned to the road.

kaya

if your car is worth £3600 and the repairs are £2400 why would the insurance company write it off?, Do you think they will pay you £3600 when they can get it repaired and save themselves £1000?, just an opinion.

NatterJack_Toad

Well, apparently most companies will only pay half of the cars value in repairs.

So, with mine being worth 3600, they'd probably pay 1800 maximum for repairs.

The engineer at the garage said it was repairable but he has sent photo's and details to the insurance companys engineer so it all depends on him I suppose.

Waiting is killing me.