Cars Is A Write Off How Do I Get The Max Settlement

Ms-Money-Penny

My daughter has just had her car written off. How do we get a reasonable settlement from the insurance company.

I have got auto trader magazines to compare prices for similar models, any other suggestions would be appreciated.

Please move if on wrong board

Thanks in advance

maclean2

Hi - have a look on Autotrader and Exchange and Mart websites for similar models.Make sure the service records are available and show that the car has been regularly maintained.Have any bills for maintenance or repairs available.They will not necessarily increase the value but will justify a proper valuation as without them the car could be downvalued.Major work such as a respray or new engine would support an enhanced valuation but not by the amount you have spent.Don't accept the 1st valuation offered.

I am assuming that your daughter is claiming under her own policy.However if she is claiming against the other driver please post again as there are various other things she can claim for.

Best of luck

Ms-Money-Penny

maclean2 wrote:

I am assuming that your daughter is claiming under her own policy.However if she is claiming against the other driver please post again as there are various other things she can claim for.

Best of luck

Yes she is claiming under her own policy as the other driver wasn't insured. She was told by the police to claim from the Motorists bureau, so i'm not sure what happens with her excess either in this case.

maclean2

Hi - as the other driver wasn't insured she can claim against the Motor Insurance Bureau in Milton Keynes for some or all of the following :-

Excess
Being without a roadworthy car - known as loss of use - at a rate of £60/70 per week if her own policy does not include a courtesy car
Petrol in the tank of the written off car for which a receipt might be requested
Damage to any personal belongings in the car
Visits to garage(s) to get repair estimates at a rate of 30p per mile
Taxi/bus/train fares incurred after the accident or for essential journeys whilst without a car
Loss of insurance premium if the write off means that her policy is cancelled and she loses the rest of the current years premium

The MIB will take a while to investigate but in the meantime ask them for their form so that you can see the information they need.Unfortunately they do not pay the first £300.00 of the claim.I am assuming that the other driver was completely to blame for the accident.She will need to provide as much documentation as possible.

If your daughter was injured she can claim against MIB for compensation but is best advised to consult an experienced injury solicitor.

HTH

telly-addict

Here's a link to the relevant area of the MIB's website:
http://www.mib.org.uk/MIB/en/Claims/UK/Uninsured/Default.htm

As mentioned by mclean2, unless the uninsured losses exceed £300 or there is personal injury involved, there's no point in making a claim against the MIB.

In respect of the claim against your own insurers, gather as much evidence as possible to back up your valuation of your vehicle and don't accept the first offer that you receive.

The attached article from the Financial Ombudsman Service may also assist:
http://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/publications/ombudsman-news/22/issue-22-motorinsurance.htm

Good luck with your claim.