Salvage Retention

Mildly_Miffed

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82112404#Comment_82112404

£3.4k, different spec, same age, 50k fewer miles.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202608115000452

£3.5k, same spec, year older, 50k fewer miles - and unsold since June.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202606183416181

£3k, same spec & age, 20k more miles - and unsold since DECEMBER.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202512048342438

There's 10 sub 4k 2013-2016 3.0d XFs on Autotrader, all bar 2 of them have fewer miles than yours.

I don't think the insurer are way off with the valuation.

MyRealNameToo

If the insurer gives you the option to buy the salvage will depend on their contract with their salvage agent. How much you will have to pay will be the same… for simplicity most large insurers will have a contract with an agent where the agent pays a fixed percentage of the settlement as thats makes life simple for everyone.

Other insurers do things differently, particularly if they focus on exotic or classic cars etc, and salvage may be individually negotiated rather than a fixed percentage.

What category the total loss is will impact various things. Sounds like it will be a cat S which means its V5c will be surrendered and tax cancelled. You will need to apply for a new V5c which will then be marked with it being a cat S and buy a new car tax.

Gone are the days of needing the car repairs being inspected etc. If they decide its a Cat B then the car has to be broken and cannot be returned to the road.

Gsaver1

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82112840#Comment_82112840

Is it true that the insurance for a Cat N, S or X will be dearer than if it wasn't categorised?

MyRealNameToo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82113035#Comment_82113035

In principle any insurer is free to define its own rating criteria and weightings. None of the insurers I've ever worked for used it as a rating factor but that isnt to say that others dont.

The value of the vehicle is lower so there is a logical argument that they should be cheaper to insure. I've never seen any claims analysis on vehicles by total loss code to know if there are any trends with those who own total loss vehicles -v- non written off vehicles.

Arunmor

Just don't anyone lift the car, once it's gone you won't get it back.

Gsaver1

Have you had success in getting to keep the car?