Challenging Insurance companies decision to write off a car

leed

Had an accident in my 2007 Ford Fiesta, only the back bumper was damaged. Without even seeing it the insurance company has decided it is a write off. It is mechanically sound. How can I challenge their decision?

Car_54

You probably can't. The insurers have to repair to manufacturers'  standards using original parts, which means older cars get written off for relatively minor damage.

However (assuming there is no structural damage), you can usually buy the car back for the scrap value, and then have it repaired for much less than the settlement amount. Unlike the insurers, you can use small independent repairers (or DIY) and 2nd-hand parts. Or just live with  the damage.

Sandtree

First of all... why do you want to challenge it?

If you did then you would be best placed by showing how cheap it would be to repair with a quote or two... could even ask for cash in lieu but that does mean you lose the VAT (assuming the garages charge VAT).

Otherwise let them write it off and buy back the scrap from them

The other issue to that pointed out by @Car_54 is that insurers will also consider the fact that more damage may be found during repairs which further reduces the threashold at which it becomes a write off.

lincroft1710

It is not only the cost of repairs, hire car costs may have to be factored in.

Flight3287462

As above just buy the car back at whatever the percentage is I paid 9% on an old Panda a few years ago and it kept us going for a short year, without repairing it.

Check you can get hold of a bumper and the price.

Sandtree

lincroft1710 said:

It is not only the cost of repairs, hire car costs may have to be factored in.

That depends if the vehicle is drivable, speed of repairs etc.

If its a hire car, rather than garage provided courtesy car, then most policies allow you to keep it for a week or so after the total loss settlement has been paid if the car is undrivable. It could easily be more expensive on hire for a T/L than a repair on an old vehicle thats illegal to be driven due to minor damage (eg broken lights or torn panel with sharp edges)

lincroft1710

Sandtree said:

lincroft1710 said:

It is not only the cost of repairs, hire car costs may have to be factored in.

That depends if the vehicle is drivable, speed of repairs etc.

If its a hire car, rather than garage provided courtesy car, then most policies allow you to keep it for a week or so after the total loss settlement has been paid if the car is undrivable. It could easily be more expensive on hire for a T/L than a repair on an old vehicle thats illegal to be driven due to minor damage (eg broken lights or torn panel with sharp edges)

Which is why I said may.

born_again

leed said:

Had an accident in my 2007 Ford Fiesta, only the back bumper was damaged. Without even seeing it the insurance company has decided it is a write off. It is mechanically sound. How can I challenge their decision?

While it may only look like the bumper is damaged. You may well find when it taken off that the crash structure behind is damaged as well & needs replacing, or even buckled floor panels. So that cheap looking damage soon heads towards the thousands & that is not including any hire costs.

daveyjp

Cancel the claim and if it isn't major damage keep driving the car. 

Bigphil1474

If this is a no fault claim, then do as others have said and ask for a settlement minus the buy back cost of the car - if it isn't hiding major damage. I did this with an old fiesta I had. The back bumper was hit and multiple cracks, and a few dents on the bodywork here and there, but no structural damage. The car was only worth £700. Written off and they gave me £670 ish and the car. Had the bumper gaffa taped up, drove the car for a few months until I could find a replacement, then sold it for scrap for £100.