Push for a write off?

DD265

Yesterday a third party's car rolled into mine - both were parked up and unattended, handbrake failed/was left off. I informed my insurers but am claiming directly from the third party insurers. The insurance co explained that their threshold for a write off is repairs costing 50% of the car's market value. Either way, I plan to retain my car and have the blue paint removed from my grey door.

'05 Golf MK5 TDI automatic, 119k on the clock. Mechanically sound, a known entity and a good car as far as I'm concerned. The damage is purely cosmetic; scratched rear wheel arch, sill and then the rear driver side door is scratched and dented. My local independent garage have quoted £610 which includes a new skin for the door, though he did say that he could fill the panel and we could do that cheaper. I could do that myself with the help of a family member but I would prefer to go with the garage; it'll depend on how much money I could pocket if we DIY I guess which is a question for later.

Autotrader tells me that the private value of the car is £1850, trade in is £1050. Similar vehicles listed for sale are ranging £1600-2000+.

I'm already on the cusp of whether or not they are going to want to write my car off depending on how they value it. I don't know what the best outcome is for me financially. I am aware that a Cat C/D car can cost more to insure, and potentially needs a new MOT alongside the repair, and also that by the time the salvage value is taken into account I could risk being out of pocket.

Right now I need to choose between these courses of action:
1) submit the quote I have and see how it plays out
2) ask my garage to quote for the cheaper repair, in the hopes that the insurer agree to pay out for the repair
3) go to a VW dealership or the local insurer approved garage (which I know are fairly pricey!) to get a higher quote to encourage the insurer to write off the car

I'm inclined to go with option 1, then it is what it is, but this is new territory for me and I don't want to unintentionally screw myself over. TIA

System

Go with number 1. The insurance company will have their own list of body shops they want you to use. If you want to keep it I'd keep an eye out on Ebay for a door the same colour as your car and just get that. It would be a DIY job to change over and cost you under £100.

DD265

Good shout, a 'new' door would be £30-75.

Herzlos

You don't need to push for a write off - that'll then affect the cars value. You can ask them to pay you the money a repair is going to cost (£610), negotiate a figure and leave it at that. If you don't get it repaired, no biggie.


If they insist on repairing it, then you can push them for a write off, but bear in mind you'll have to buy it back from them as salvage (in essense you'll get the damaged value removed from the cost of repair) so you may end up with a write-off marker and a lot less cash than you expected.