Will my car be written off?

gazfocus

Having had a bump to the side of my car 2 1/2 months ago, the third parties insurance company have finally accepted liability. There is damage to the front and rear passenger side doors, front wheel is dented and slight dent/scrape to the rear wheel arch.

The car is a 2003 Ford Fiesta Automatic and I'd say the value is about £2000. The estimate I got for the repairs is £1438. I have gone directly through the third parties insurers and they have asked their approved garage to give them an estimate but they said it will be around the same figure as the estimate I've had, so I'm wondering, as the repairs are likely to cost around 72% of the value of my car, plus the cost of the hire car, are the insurance company likely to write the car off even though it's only largely cosmetic damage?

Quentin

It looks likely. (If you want to keep it and repair it yourself they would let you for a small deduction from the settlement).

However if not written off, then you can insist repairs are carried out at your choice of repairer.

gazfocus

Thanks. I'm starting to think that's more and more likely. I just saw the Parkers price guide for my car (all be it with 15k more miles) and they reckon £1795 which would make the repairs 80% of the cars value

InsideInsurance

Its almost certainly a total loss. Even if it is you can ask to retain the salvage and get it repaired with the settlement but ask your insurers about keeping the insurance post total loss/ repair as some insurers arent keen on doing it

fivetide

Assuming it really is all cosmetic and the dented wheel hasn't moved the suspension at all then it might be good to get the car back.

If you aren't bothered by what it looks like and you know it is reliable and has been well looked after, it might well give you years of service even with a scrape down the side.