potential category C write off

canyouhelp

Hello

I've got a 2006 1.2 Polo which has been looked after well and has 51k miles on the clock. But as I haven't been using it much, recently I've been hiring it out through a car club to try and cover my costs. All was going well until someone who had hired it went into the back of another car last week. It's bashed the front bumper on the right and damaged the bonnet and side panel, and the indicator isn't working. It is still driving ok though and the headlights aren't damaged.

When the car is hired out it's insured by Admiral. They told me to take it for an estimate at a bodyworks place, who have given an estimate of nearly £2.5k. Although I haven't heard back from Admiral yet, I'm preparing myself for the news that this will be over the value of the car and that it will be a category C write off.

So... what is my best course of action? I'm thinking of taking it for a second estimate tomorrow at a local garage. They have told me to not accept their first offer but to hold out for more money.

Then if Admiral just offer me money then I can take it and maybe get it repaired with recycled materials from a scrap yard? I just feel it would be such a waste to scrap it when it's a perfectly good car other than the exterior damage (I haven't had it properly checked over yet mind, but driving to the garage it was fine). Also, I am used to driving it and don't feel I will be able to get another one as good for the money they may give me.

Advice please?! Thanks!

straighttalker

If you're happy to keep it, and it's a write off, ask Admiral whether you can keep the vehicle. They will pay you whatever they deem the market value is and knock off the scrap value. That way, you can fix up your car as you planned using secondhand parts. However, there will be a Cat C marker on it.

canyouhelp

thanks. So will that mean my insurance will go up if it has that marker on it?

straighttalker

It depends on the insurer. You'll have to ask them. Some insurers say it won't affect anything.

It'll be interesting to see how Admiral deal with it though. Would you be classed as the policyholder or a third party given that your car was driven by someone else?

AdrianC

canyouhelp wrote: »

thanks. So will that mean my insurance will go up if it has that marker on it?

It might. It might not. But, if ever the car's sold or written-off again, you'll get less money for it.

Personally, I'd go for the private repair. You should have a few quid left over, especially if you can find good used panels in the right colour.

canyouhelp

straighttalker wrote: »

It depends on the insurer. You'll have to ask them. Some insurers say it won't affect anything.

It'll be interesting to see how Admiral deal with it though. Would you be classed as the policyholder or a third party given that your car was driven by someone else?

No, the person driving is the policy holder. It's through Easycar and Admiral have a special department who deal with these claims. The driver will also have to pay a big excess as he told me he didn't pay the extra up front to avoid this!

canyouhelp

AdrianC wrote: »

It might. It might not. But, if ever the car's sold or written-off again, you'll get less money for it.

Personally, I'd go for the private repair. You should have a few quid left over, especially if you can find good used panels in the right colour.

Thanks. That's what I'm thinking, it's a silver Polo so there are plenty of those around. Seems crazy to get rid if everything inside is ok.

AdrianC

It's the kind of thing you can reasonably expect by hiring it out, tbh.

canyouhelp

AdrianC wrote: »

It's the kind of thing you can reasonably expect by hiring it out, tbh.

Yeah, I know, it was a risk... I was thinking of selling it earlier this year as it wasn't really being used, it's just frustrating the type of accident it is, if it was more serious I'd just get rid of it but when it all seems to be still working it just seems crazy how expensive the quote is just for the exterior work.

AdrianC

Not really. Insurance will be looking at VW dealer price for new bonnet, wing, bumper, indicator, plus labour to strip/fit at less-than-bargain rates, plus metallic paint plus lacquer on the whole front and probably down the doors to "blend in", plus a loan car.

canyouhelp

Yes, I'm not really bothered about all of that to be honest- it's just handy having a car sometimes, I don't mind if it doesn't look perfect!