Car insurance written off,and paid settlement. Can we keep the boot spare wheel before they collect?

Danny_G

To keep it short and simple, mates car was involved in an accident, it was declared a write off from photos sent to them.

They assessed it a write off from photos of the outside of the vehicle sent to them. No photo of the inside boot spare tyre wheel was shown to them.  and they did not come out to see the car physically.

They have paid a settlement, and it has arrived in the bank account.

Before they come and tow it away can we remove the spare tyre wheel from the boot of the car?

Will they check the boot,and ask where it is?  

can we say it didn't have one when we had the car?    

Have you done this? what was your experience?  

wongataa

If it came with the car it should stay with the car.  Why would you want it anyway?

daveyjp

Just take it,  no one will check or be bothered.

Danny_G

wongataa said:

If it came with the car it should stay with the car.  Why would you want it
anyway?

Thanks,
It is a good brand new tyre and will be handy on their other car.

daveyjp said:

Just take it,  no one will check or be bothered.

Thanks,
no one will check? are you speaking from experience?

neilmcl

For all they know it could've gone missing years ago or maybe was never there when he got the car. They're not going to know and so couldn't care less.

DoaM

Is it a brand new tyre? Or is it actually the original tyre that looks new but is as old as the car was?

chrisw

I'd take it out but keep it safe for a short while in case they come back asking for it.

castle96

take it, and the jack and wheel brace and ebay it (I did, on part exchanging). Noone will look or care

Mistral001

The insurance company will never check - until they do.  

castle96

rubbish! They never knew if it (originally) had one. If a newish car it will not ever have had one. 

Danny_G

Cheers everyone.
How about the stereo, which is a default car stereo,  can we remove and keep that too ?