Car a total loss - offer from insurance co is pants

hairbrain05

I was involved in an accident that wasn't my fault. My 4yr old son & I were in parked car & were hit in the rear. My car has been deemed a total loss.

I had to make a raft of phone calls to sort out hire car, which couldn't be provided for 2 days, another raft of paperwork. 2 wks later hadn't heard anything so chased to find out that it was a total loss & they were offering me 300 pounds.

It was insured 3yrs ago for 1600 pounds. So for an accident that wasn't my fault I've suffered tonnes of phone calls, no car for 2 days (a car is necessity for me not a luxury) and now I'm supposed to find a replacement with that measly offer. I really cannot fund buying a new car right now. I've sent a dispute by email detailing exact same cars for sale in the autotrader averaging about 1K.

Has anyone else had any luck with this type of dispute? The insurance co seemed more bothered trying to push me to claim injury comp which i declined - i just wanted my car fixed/replaced!

Smi1er

Might help if you give us details of what the car is? Model? Age? Mileage?:rolleyes:

choccybikkie_2

They'll probably up their offer a little but tbh if they're offering you personal injury comp let them sort that out (it doesn't take too long if you do it through the insurance co) and put that towards a new car.

hairbrain05

Doh sorry

1997 Nissan Almera. I know it's not worth much but I can't replace it for 300 pound! Autotrader valued the dealer price as 820....

hairbrain05

oops 1400 engine, 85000 miles...

mattymoo

Try ringing the sellers in Autotrader and see what they got for their car. Anyone can ask £1000 but if its only with £500-£600 then that is all they will get. You can bet the insurance companies will check.

V_tricky

THIS post might help

hairbrain05

thanks this is really helpful...:D

aj76

Hi

I had this problem over 10 yrs ago the insureance company offered me only £250 for my 14yr old fiesta which was immaculate, I had done everything to it as I was an army mechanic at the time and home on leave when it happened.

I went to a local firm of solicitors, not one of the ambulance chasers you constantly see advertising and hawking in the street, they got me £900 to get a car and get me back on the road which was much more resonable. They also got this paid out whilst the personal injury claim was ongoing and as I ditched the insurance company in favour of this route the car was mine to sell as spare or repair for which I got another £350.

Without exact details of the car number of doors/model etc I couldn't give you an idea of what yours is worth, a 1.4 3dr action on a 97 P reg has a part ex value of £685 but you can look for yourself here, you really need to look at the part ex value as this is where they will be looking at in terms of value http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/prices/

But if it wasn't your fault ditch the insurance company and get the personal injury claim sorted and get that solicitor to sort it out for you, it certainly worked out a lot better for me anyway.

melissa'smoney

I had this exact same problem. Hit from behind. Not my fault. Although my insurers got me a courtesy car straight away they were only willing to offer me book price for my Toyota Yaris that i'd had for 5 years and lovingly looked after! It seems that if you sell your car you can sing it's praises i.e one owner, low milage etc but if you are in a crash, and worst still it isn't your fault all these + points go out of the window and your car is classed as scrap and book price offered!
(i had a xreg Yaris, metallic paint, one owner, 38,ooo miles, spoiler, mod cons etc) and they were offering me £2800 for it! I said it was worth at least £4000 and that's what i would get for it if i was selling it. I didn't want to get rid of my car, your refusing to repair so pay me what i'm entitled!

WELL.....:rolleyes::D not here. I contested this and was challenged my the insurance company that "if you can find your car for what you are asking for we'll pay it"

:cool:ok...

So i scoured the internet and autro trader for same models/type of my yaris and lots of them for sale around £4000.....:T

I printed these off and sent to the insurer who agreed i was right and paid up! A full £4000.

So my advice to you is challenge them and prove your car is worth more (if it is! )

x

dobbie82

melissa'smoney wrote: »

I had this exact same problem. Hit from behind. Not my fault. Although my insurers got me a courtesy car straight away they were only willing to offer me book price for my Toyota Yaris that i'd had for 5 years and lovingly looked after! It seems that if you sell your car you can sing it's praises i.e one owner, low milage etc but if you are in a crash, and worst still it isn't your fault all these + points go out of the window and your car is classed as scrap and book price offered!
(i had a xreg Yaris, metallic paint, one owner, 38,ooo miles, spoiler, mod cons etc) and they were offering me £2800 for it! I said it was worth at least £4000 and that's what i would get for it if i was selling it. I didn't want to get rid of my car, your refusing to repair so pay me what i'm entitled!

WELL.....:rolleyes::D not here. I contested this and was challenged my the insurance company that "if you can find your car for what you are asking for we'll pay it"

:cool:ok...

So i scoured the internet and autro trader for same models/type of my yaris and lots of them for sale around £4000.....:T

I printed these off and sent to the insurer who agreed i was right and paid up! A full £4000.

So my advice to you is challenge them and prove your car is worth more (if it is! )

x

i did the same, was "worth"1400 to me, was offered £900, i disagreed so i got lots of adverts, including completed ebay sales £1450-1500 and got £1500!