Are car insurance company liable

MarkMac1978

Following a minor collision, my vehicle underwent repairs covered by the insurance provider. The damage was limited to a small front bumper crack and some damage to the fog and headlight assemblies. However, the repair cost was unexpectedly high, approximately £5000. The repair facility subsequently caused engine failure, despite claiming no electrical work was performed, which contradicts the installation of new parking sensors (an electrical task). The vehicle was retained for almost two months before being returned, exhibiting a top speed of only 12 mph before stalling. An independent engineer recommended battery replacement due to suspected depletion. Following further repairs and another two-month delay, the vehicle remains faulty, struggling to start and cutting out at approximately 12 mph. Additionally, unacceptable mold growth was found inside the vehicle, indicating a failure to properly secure the vehicle during its extended repair period. 

The insurance company has determined the vehicle to be a total loss, yet maintains my liability for the outstanding loan. The repair shop is responsible for the damage and has misrepresented their work. Despite paying my premium and deductible for repairs, their actions resulted in the vehicle being written off. Given that the pre-existing condition of the vehicle was sound and the repair shop's actions caused the damage (evidenced by minimal mileage), who bears the liability? Furthermore, shouldn't the repair shop's insurance cover the outstanding loan and associated costs, as the vehicle was in perfect working order before entering their care? The repair shop should be held accountable.

born_again

You would need a report as to exactly the cause of the issue was, but guess that as car has been written off that you no longer have access to it?
Unless the independent engineer gave you a report on what the issue was, but simply saying to replace the battery does not sound like it.

TBH, replacing parking sensors is hardly electrical work, given it is nothing more than connecting sensor to a plug.

DullGreyGuy

MarkMac1978 said:

Following a minor collision, my vehicle underwent repairs covered by the insurance provider. The damage was limited to a small front bumper crack and some damage to the fog and headlight assemblies. However, the repair cost was unexpectedly high, approximately £5000. The repair facility subsequently caused engine failure, despite claiming no electrical work was performed, which contradicts the installation of new parking sensors (an electrical task). The vehicle was retained for almost two months before being returned, exhibiting a top speed of only 12 mph before stalling. An independent engineer recommended battery replacement due to suspected depletion. Following further repairs and another two-month delay, the vehicle remains faulty, struggling to start and cutting out at approximately 12 mph. Additionally, unacceptable mold growth was found inside the vehicle, indicating a failure to properly secure the vehicle during its extended repair period. 

The insurance company has determined the vehicle to be a total loss, yet maintains my liability for the outstanding loan. The repair shop is responsible for the damage and has misrepresented their work. Despite paying my premium and deductible for repairs, their actions resulted in the vehicle being written off. Given that the pre-existing condition of the vehicle was sound and the repair shop's actions caused the damage (evidenced by minimal mileage), who bears the liability? Furthermore, shouldn't the repair shop's insurance cover the outstanding loan and associated costs, as the vehicle was in perfect working order before entering their care? The repair shop should be held accountable.

The car has been written off so there is no further liability. 

Before the accident happened, you had a car worth £10,000 and a loan of £5,000 

Now you have a cheque for £9,500 a loan for £5,000 and you've paid your £500 excess. So other than the excess you are financially in the same position as you were before the accident other than the excess which you agreed to when buying the policy.

ripplyuk

What outstanding loan? You say the insurers covered the repair costs (£5K) so do you mean the finance for the car itself? 

[Deleted User]

The repair shop wrote off your car by poor installation of parking sensors? I know modern cars a joke when it comes to repair costs and associated complexities, and doubly so for electric cars, but that does seem a bit strong. Having said that, a guy local to me had his electric car written off due to 'excessive driving in wet weather', so I'm not saying it's impossible.