How to Assess Car Write Off Value

AVENUE

dacouch wrote: »

It may well be that Swintons are dealing with your own damage and have farmed out the other (Highly profitable) parts of your claim.

Do you know if you have to pay your excess and that they are claiming off the 3rd party?

One of the benefits of not claiming off your own policy is that typically Insurers will deduct any remaining instalments from your claims settlement. Some will also try and cancel the policy and refuse to allow you to cover a replacement car although in most cases the Ombudsman has deemed this unacceptable

Ive been told by someone at Quindell that I wont have to pay my excess.


I would be very disappointed if Swintons would refuse to cover a replacement car as I've done nothing to warrant that. This chap just drove into my car & my neighbours car whilst they were parked up outside our houses.


Would there be any value...or point, in me ringing the 3rd party insurers at this point to see what they are proposing, or would that likely just complicate things now? I guess at the end of the day, there's no guarantee of getting better service whichever way its dealt with & I wont know what I'm dealing with until an offer is made.


If I don't like the offer from Quindell/Swinton can I still at that point negotiate with the 3rd party insurers or not? 3rd party insurers are Axa!


Many Thanks - Avenue

AVENUE

Ive also received a letter from Ageas who Swinton have done my insurance through, stating that my No Claims discount has been allowed....I'm assuming that to mean they are happy that I'm not responsible & that my NCD will be unaffected?


Many Thanks - Avenue

rs65

AVENUE wrote: »

Would there be any value...or point, in me ringing the 3rd party insurers at this point to see what they are proposing, or would that likely just complicate things now?

AVENUE wrote: »

My own agreement with Quindell states for me not to enter into discussion with 3rd party insurers & refer them to themselves!

You answered your own question a few posts ago.

Quentin

Whenever you change your car you should always check with your insurers that they are happy to continue cover on the new one before you buy it.

Otherwise if for any reason they won't cover it you will need to go to the expense of cancelling and buying a new policy elsewhere.

AVENUE

rs65 wrote: »

You answered your own question a few posts ago.

Yep that's what the paperwork said, but as I mentioned when I spoke with Quindell the chap there also said this happened all the time usually once 3rd party had accepted liability and although I can ignore this, I'm free to contact them & use them if I want!


I'm just assuming that my own company would try to secure a better deal for me than the 3rd parties.....or does it not work that way & do they basically just stich things up between them, as next time the boot could be on the other foot?


Many Thanks - Avenue

sithemadmonkey

The 3rd party insurer will be able to settle the claim a lot more cheaply if they deal with it themselves, which is why they will try anything to get control of the claim.

With regards to what you're likely to get for the write-off value, Quindell will likely go for a figure which is high enough to stop you complaining (and taking up too much of their time), but not so high that the 3rd party insurers refuse to pay when they are presented with the bill. The best thing to do is do your research (which it looks like you already have) and reply to any low offer with a reasonable counter-offer backed up by evidence.

Whatever you do, don't go against any contractual obligation you have made to Quindell - they may be able to recover any costs off you if you do.

AVENUE

sithemadmonkey wrote: »

The 3rd party insurer will be able to settle the claim a lot more cheaply if they deal with it themselves, which is why they will try anything to get control of the claim.

With regards to what you're likely to get for the write-off value, Quindell will likely go for a figure which is high enough to stop you complaining (and taking up too much of their time), but not so high that the 3rd party insurers refuse to pay when they are presented with the bill. The best thing to do is do your research (which it looks like you already have) and reply to any low offer with a reasonable counter-offer backed up by evidence.

Whatever you do, don't go against any contractual obligation you have made to Quindell - they may be able to recover any costs off you if you do.

Thanks for that. I've just heard from the body shop today that the engineer has now confirmed its not a cost effective repair so will be written off. I've not heard anything as yet from Swinton/Quindell so will wait to see what they come up with. Do you know if they will run the figures by the 3rd party insurers before they contact me with the offer or not. I'm not sure if I should expect a call off them to inform me of the details of the offer or if they will just write to me with it. I guess if I've not heard from them for a couple of days I'm better off ringing them myself.


Many Thanks - avenue

AVENUE

Ive just got the settlement figure from Quindell now and its for £933 which actually works out alright really, and was a bit more than I was expecting.


Many Thanks - Avenue

sithemadmonkey

Good good, glad to know you got a reasonable result with the minimum of hassle. Quindell probably went in with a high-ish offer, knowing that they'll get it back off the other party's insurer anyway.