Tesco Total Loss Claims - A Little Help!

Gettheknowledge

A Little call for information please on a total loss claim.

I had a car crash last week in the bad weather my car hit a patch of surface water at 50mph lost control of the car went down a ditch and then rolled three times finally landing on the roof.

There was a large lorry coming the other way who witnessed the whole thing and managed to stop in time.

My car was a Renault Megane, all the windows smashed out, all airbags went off and all the panels are screwed. The Police put it down as unavoidable.

the police recovered the vehicle while I went off in an ambulance, no damage to me however, the car is shot.

I reported this to Tesco and they are assesing the damage, I'm awaiting confirmation of whats going to be done, I'm sure it is beyond econimical repair and will be a total loss. Also advised that as it was essentially my fault would lose my no claims.

My questions are does anybody know how long Tesco take to finally assess the damage and make a decision? and If it is a total loss how long tesco usually take to make the payment?

I won't be able to purchase a new car as i can't gain finance now and my car was only three years old (£13995) when i bought it current market value £4250 (i think). I read on some other forums that Tesco take your excess out of the payment and then further payments leaving you with not too much to cover the loss.

All help appreciated!

gazza975526570

Tesco are as average as other insurers and after the assesment i would say you will have your valuation with 48 hours - this can then be fast tracked and payment issued within days

Having said that due to the floods they, along with all other insurers, will be exceptionally busy and as such i imagine their timescales will be longer

XS will be taken from your settlement - as with other insurers and if you pay by installments these will be deducted
you can then when you get a new car add this to the already paid up policy

Gettheknowledge

Thanks for the advice! I'll chase them up and see what they say.

PhilGP

I drove my car into deep water on Friday night (20th), phoned Tesco on Saturday, the assessor saw my car on Tuesday and explained it would probably be a total loss.
On Wednesday he phoned again to confirm and to give the final valuation. Later on Wednesday the car was taken away and today I had an official call confirming the cheque value and I should receive it in 3-5 working days.

The valuation took into consideration the two scrathces on the car and it's low millage and they pay out on Market value. After searching Auto Trader, I beleive I could replace my car with an identical model/millage (give or take a bit) for the value they provided - minus my excess.

Losing a car is a pain but Tesco have been brilliant.

Considering how many losses there will be due to the flooding there will be a big hit on the used car market so I expect prices to stay solid or even go up!