Car insurance, any experts?

adamditz

Not sure if posted in correct section, but any help greatly appreciated. 

My car was hit yesterday, a van came down the (30mph limit) road at 80/90mph having lost the back end, I’d managed to come to a stop and get in to a curb but he’s taken out the side of my car. By the time I’d managed to get out (door does not open) he had gone and I could not get the reg. I have cctv (was outside my house luckily) but can’t make out the reg. 

im resigned now to the fact that with not being able to find the third party I’m pretty much rogered with regards my insurance paying for it all - but question.

im not sure how structural the damage is - I reckon its touch and go wether it’ll be a write off (they said based on what I told them over the phone the computer says it should be repairable) but I actually do not want it repaired. It needs an entire rear quarter panel, door, etc etc and it’ll never be the same, not to mention that I now own a damaged repaired vehicle with lower value than it was before. Is it possible to physically request it be written off rather than a repair? They can then claim their losses back by selling at auction etc?

trying to get my ducks in a row before I speak to them again. 

Thanks 

bluelad1927

What did the police say about the accident.

If the van was travelling at "80/90mph" in a 30 then they would be very interested to find the driver and no doubt be able to find cctv off neighbours or road signs relating to the manner of driving.

BoGoF

No you can't request it be written off. If it's economically viable for them to repair it that is what will happen.

If the speeds you mention are true then there should be substantial unseen damage to the chassis which could lead to a write off. Until it has been assessed then you won't know which way it will go.

Aylesbury_Duck

I don't think so, they'll have a calculator that will come to a decision.  You can ask but I doubt it will influence the decision.

Presumably you've reported the accident to the police, providing them the footage?  A van driving down a residential road at 80-90mph will have attracted some attention and must surely have been involved in something criminal to be driving at that speed.

DullGreyGuy

adamditz said:

im not sure how structural the damage is - I reckon its touch and go wether it’ll be a write off (they said based on what I told them over the phone the computer says it should be repairable) but I actually do not want it repaired. It needs an entire rear quarter panel, door, etc etc and it’ll never be the same, not to mention that I now own a damaged repaired vehicle with lower value than it was before. Is it possible to physically request it be written off rather than a repair? They can then claim their losses back by selling at auction etc?

trying to get my ducks in a row before I speak to them again. 

You cannot ask that they payout more to total loss the car just because you don't want it repaired. If it's economical to repair thats their most likely way forward, that calculation will include what they will get from selling the salvage.

Assuming they determine it is repairable and you still don't want it repaired then you could ask them for Cash-In-Lieu of repairs. They will then basically give you the repair estimate in cash minus your excess and the VAT and you keep the car. You can then follow your idea of auctioning the car damaged to increase your pot for buying its replacement. 

Grumpy_chap

If the car is repaired but the OP no longer wishes to keep the car, then the OP can subsequently change vehicles in the normal way.

adamditz

Grumpy_chap said:

If the car is repaired but the OP no longer wishes to keep the car, then the OP can subsequently change vehicles in the normal way.

I do know I have that option, but I then of course have to sell it as a damaged repaired car - even further enhancing the kick in the teeth I’ve received for something absolutely zero fault of my own! I am learning that it’s pretty much just a case of take the kicking and enjoy 😤

DullGreyGuy

adamditz said:

Grumpy_chap said:

If the car is repaired but the OP no longer wishes to keep the car, then the OP can subsequently change vehicles in the normal way.

I do know I have that option, but I then of course have to sell it as a damaged repaired car - even further enhancing the kick in the teeth I’ve received for something absolutely zero fault of my own! I am learning that it’s pretty much just a case of take the kicking and enjoy 😤

Depends how it's sold... when traded in my last car the dealership didn't ask anything about previous repairs and I am under no obligation to inform them. As long as its not a total loss there is no central database of vehicle repairs etc (unless you took it to the same company for the repairs which wasn't my case given I was switching brands)