Insurance write offs for S and N category vehicles

Sandtree

Lifeofbrian2 said:
What I would like to understand is whether the whole categorisation of write-offs is fit for purpose and whether it could be improved.   If you tell me that for example a claims engineer doesn't necessarily view a damaged vehicle to determine which category it belongs to and bases his decision on photos - then as far as I am concerned the problems commence. Other factors such as auction houses or salvage yards that buy damaged vehicles and sell them without clear descriptions on are also problematic. From the complaints I've seen on forums and FB pages, there are some real cowboys out there ready to profit on ignorance. 

What I want to understand is whether S and N category vehicles which are sold have detailed and clear descriptions so that they purchaser is not buying a vehicle which may be unsafe to drive on the road. If they are, why? What's wrong with the system. Is it simply Caveat emptor or are there opportunities to improve the system?

Any suggestions would be gratefully received.

Any system anywhere in the world can be improved, thats also a given. Improving systems and/or running enhancements come at a cost. The question with every system is where do you strike the balance?

You stub your toe and think it may be broken the vast majority of us will not be seen within the hour by a senior consultant orthopaedic surgeon but instead probably told to tape it up and if it swells or isnt better in a couple of weeks go to minor injuries and if you're lucky you get seen by a junior doctor. 

So yes, there are certainly more thorough systems that could be put in place, as with everything else, but there is presently no customer or legislative appetite for the extra cost incurred. Same with the NHS, I am sure everyone would love the guarantee of a senior consultant of any specialty on demand but no one is willing to sign up to the 75% basic income tax required to pay for it and certainly the funding shortages in the NHS cause many more deaths/suffering than any insurance.

Once you are talking about the resale of a vehicle you are mixing up the insurer's responsibility with their buyers... of those cars not written off, how many policyholders do you think admit to the AD repairs when they sell the vehicle 1-4 years later? Thats not the responsibility of the insurer either.

Grumpy_chap

Lifeofbrian2 said:

ABI code of practice:

A - Scrap

These are the most badly damaged cars around, and cannot be repaired. They can only be crushed for scrap. This vehicle is deemed not suitable to be repaired. Must be crushed without any parts being removed. The vehicle identification number
and any parts of the vehicle can never be used again. The MIAFTR entry completed confirming the intention to destroy, ensuring the V5C is never reissued. The complete vehicle must be crushed in its entirety without any components being removed, a certificate of destruction must be issued in accordance with government guidelines.

The OP clearly knows more on this subject than I do - I would simply avoid any car with a write-off marker of any classification (perhaps to my detriment).

I am just unclear about this Category A.  Is it simply very rare that a car gets this classification?
It was just I find the requirement that the vehicle "Must be crushed without any parts being removed" as rather counter-intuitive.  Does that mean that the stereo, for example, cannot be reused?

facade

Grumpy_chap said:

I am just unclear about this Category A.  Is it simply very rare that a car gets this classification?
It was just I find the requirement that the vehicle "Must be crushed without any parts being removed" as rather counter-intuitive.  Does that mean that the stereo, for example, cannot be reused?

Nothing can be reused, not even a badge off the tailgate.  Cat A cars might be burnt out, in which case components are weakened unpredictably by heat, or contaminated with deadly toxins from all the dodgy materials that were burning. They could be contaminated with sewage from a flood, filling the stereo with disease causing bacteria.

Whether in reality a few parts magically "fall off" before a Cat A is crushed is another matter.

AdrianC

Grumpy_chap said:

I am just unclear about this Category A.  Is it simply very rare that a car gets this classification?
It was just I find the requirement that the vehicle "Must be crushed without any parts being removed" as rather counter-intuitive.  Does that mean that the stereo, for example, cannot be reused?

Cat A cars will not come to a Copart (etc) auction. They will be taken straight from wherever they've been temporarily stored after being dragged from the scene, and straight off to be crushed. Anybody removing parts from them is stealing those parts. As well as floods or fire, they usually include cars that have been involved in a fatality.

Cat B cars do get auctioned - but only authorised dismantlers can bid on them.