Fully Comp / Car accident query

Happy_bunny

I have fully comp car insurance and have had an accident, Long story short I've collided with another vehicle - parked & empty:o

Minimal cosmetic damage to the other car but my car has taken the brunt of the impact against the towbar - My cars now off the road and severely frontal damaged.

Has been reported to my insurers and I'm awaiting a claims handler to ring tomorrow.

I'm not really sure where this goes now? Obviously the other car is covered and will be fully repaired ect but will I be likely to receive any kind of payment for my car?

I'm certainly no expert but the damage looks far too severe to repair on a 10 year old plus car?!

Scared they will condemn the car to the scrapper and have no idea where this leaves me?!

Anyone have any idea? Thanks in advance

forgotmyname

If you have 3rd party cover you get nothing. If comprehensive then you can claim for your own damage. But if its an older car they may write it off.

Some may pay you out and let you keep it, but some insurers wont allow you to buy it back after they pay you out. You need to negotiate that.

If they write it off they will offer you book value (or less) and pay you out when you accept and you go and buy another car.

You need to ask if your policy is still active or will it end there. You will still need to pay for the full 12 months though.

Happy_bunny

Thanks for the reply - what is book price? assume this is the insurance valuation for my car?

Local garage today said they will almost certainly write it off based on the damage, car age and value

Is it possible for me to look this 'book price' up online to give me some ideas?

Quentin

If your car is written off then the write off amount will be the market value of the car prior to the incident, less your excess and less any outstanding premium due (if you are paying by instalments)


You can get an idea of the market value by looking for adverts online for similar condition/age/mileage models (though bear in mind asking prices are inflated to allow for offers)


If it is repairable cheaply at a back street garage then you may be able to get a smaller payout and keep the car (though this will depend on what category write off it is)