Car Accident - Insurance

aj1977

I just need some advice reg my current situation. Had a collision yesterday in a T junction and more likely it will come down as my fault. The damage to my car is on the front bumper(just bumps really and the driver side lights casing has some damages, but it is perfectly driveable.My car is insured fully comp and is a Nissan Primera 1.8 SVE 02 Reg with 121K miles on it. Given the car's age and mileage insurance company's engineer feels that the repair costs will be more than the car's worth(which he reckons could be between 600-1800£). But they will have a look at it anyway.
The car repair company is picking the car up tomorrow. My car insurance premium is going to go up anyway and my no claims bonus would offset by 2 years.
So i can think of 3 possible outcomes
1) If I decide to go ahead with the repairs and the car's worth is less than the cost of repairs, the insurance company would decide to write it off innit?.If that's the case then atleast I would get some money back for the car and I could possibly buy the car off them for a cheap price and still use to drive around? or am i wrong??
2) If I do buy the car off the insurance then does my insurance premium would sky rocket since i suppose the car would go onto DVLA's accident register and it would be more costly to insure a catc/d car??
3) Just don't do the repairs and use the car as much as possible and then scrap it or part exhange it?
How is my best possible option??

Premier_2

aj1977 wrote: »

I just need some advice reg my current situation. Had a collision yesterday in a T junction and more likely it will come down as my fault. The damage to my car is on the front bumper(just bumps really and the driver side lights casing has some damages, but it is perfectly driveable.My car is insured fully comp and is a Nissan Primera 1.8 SVE 02 Reg with 121K miles on it. Given the car's age and mileage insurance company's engineer feels that the repair costs will be more than the car's worth(which he reckons could be between 600-1800£). But they will have a look at it anyway.
The car repair company is picking the car up tomorrow. My car insurance premium is going to go up anyway and my no claims bonus would offset by 2 years.
So i can think of 3 possible outcomes
1) If I decide to go ahead with the repairs and the car's worth is less than the cost of repairs, the insurance company would decide to write it off innit?.If that's the case then atleast I would get some money back for the car and I could possibly buy the car off them for a cheap price and still use to drive around? or am i wrong??
2) If I do buy the car off the insurance then does my insurance premium would sky rocket since i suppose the car would go onto DVLA's accident register and it would be more costly to insure a catc/d car??
3) Just don't do the repairs and use the car as much as possible and then scrap it or part exhange it?
How is my best possible option??

It may well be that the damage will not make it financially viable to repair (according to the insurer) due to the low value of the car.

Usually where this occurs you are able to offer to buy back the salvage.

What you then do with it is up to you. Typically you will have to take the vehicle for a new MOT before putting it legally back on the road, but the insurer will explain what is needed if it comes down to you buying the salvage.

Your insurance is going to take a hit no matter what happens (unless you can somehow blame the other party and get a full recovery)

scheming_gypsy

How much is your excess?

Might just be easier to not claim for your own repair and just fix the car / drive it as it is. It won't be classed as a write off, or even registered as accident damaged and you won't have to pay your excess and then buy the car back.

JimmyTheWig

I think it depends on a few things.

Are the other party (parties) claiming on your insurance? If so, you'll be losing your no claims bonus, paying the excess, etc. You may as well claim for yours.

How drivable / safe is the car with the current damage? If it's just cosmetic then it may be worth not claiming but if the work needs doing then adding it to the claim is probably best.

How reliable is the car? Is it one that you want to keep for a few more years whilst losing nothing in depreciation? Or is it one that you'd be happy to see the back of? Generally a car is worth more to its driver than the insurance valuation, but if not then you may as well claim and buy a new one.

I don't see why the insurance should go up if the car has been written off before.

Whatever happens your insurance will go up because you've been involved in an accident.

aj1977

scheming_gypsy wrote: »

How much is your excess?

Might just be easier to not claim for your own repair and just fix the car / drive it as it is. It won't be classed as a write off, or even registered as accident damaged and you won't have to pay your excess and then buy the car back.

Thanks the excess is 100. Yes that seems to be the most sensible and cost effective option now!

scheming_gypsy

JimmyTheWig wrote: »

I think it depends on a few things.

Are the other party (parties) claiming on your insurance? If so, you'll be losing your no claims bonus, paying the excess, etc. You may as well claim for yours.

.

you only pay the excess for your own repairs.

JimmyTheWig

scheming_gypsy wrote: »

you only pay the excess for your own repairs.

I didn't know that.
But I guess, thinking about it, that must be covered as part of the legal minimum insurance.

EdGasket

Don't let them 'pick up the car'; you will never see it again! If it is driveable, make an appointment with the repairer, take it there in person to get an estimate, bring it back home again. Otherwise if they decide to write it off, it will disappear sooner than you have a chance to object and all you'll get is a derisory amount in settlement. This has happened to many people. Of course if the car is undriveable you don't have much option but that is not the case here.

bizzylizzy69

Sorry folks...Ive just joined this site and cannot see how to create a post on this car insurance forum.
Can anyone help please?

Skintmama

bizzylizzy69 wrote: »

Sorry folks...Ive just joined this site and cannot see how to create a post on this car insurance forum.
Can anyone help please?

Go to the main list of threads for Motoring etc. Look at the bar above them and click on Forum Tools - then click from the menu bar this reveals to start a new thread. Good Luck!

paddedjohn

Premier wrote: »

It may well be that the damage will not make it financially viable to repair (according to the insurer) due to the low value of the car.

Usually where this occurs you are able to offer to buy back the salvage.

What you then do with it is up to you. Typically you will have to take the vehicle for a new MOT before putting it legally back on the road, but the insurer will explain what is needed if it comes down to you buying the salvage.

Your insurance is going to take a hit no matter what happens (unless you can somehow blame the other party and get a full recovery)

The existing MOT certificate is still valid untill its expiry date, it wont need redoing until this time.