Car insurance write-off offer

Twobabies

My car has been deemed a write-off and I am not happy with the sum being offered by the insurance co. Do I have to accept this? Can I insist on the car being repaired? If no solution, do I go to an ombudsman? All new territory for me! Cheers for any advice.

lisyloo

Can I insist on the car being repaired?

There are two issues.

Firstly is the car repairable at all? - some damage is critical i.e. if the "safety cage" of the car is damaged. Roof damage in particular can easily write-off even a brand new car.

Secondly - No you cannot insist your insurance company pay more than the value of the car. You could of course offer to pay for the extra - you'd have to think carefully about whether this is worthwhile of course.

ManAtHome

Worth having a go at them - many years ago my business partner got a reasonable increase (car written off after being nicked and stripped of parts). Check out Parkers Guide http://www.parkers.co.uk/ to get a value.

Insurance co will normally only write off if repair costs are close or above offered value. I think if you insist on repairs, they'd still only offer you write off price and probably wouldn't re-insure until you get some form of re-build cert (so's you can't just bodge it up - not that bodging would be a good move anyway).

blue_haddock

Yes you can argue for a higher settlement, do not use parkers as a guide as it is woefully inaccuarate. You need to build a case up for your vehicle so any receipts for work you've had done, photo's showing the condition etc will work in your favour, then have a look through autotrader and find cars very near your age and spec to show the insurance company what similar cars are worth but remember just because a car is advertised at a price doesn't mean it sells at that price.

Bossyboots

We weren't happy with the offer made for our car. My OH did some research on the internet and produced a spread sheet of the depreciation of our make of car, showing it to be worth £300 more than the offer. Ours was an ex-exhibition car, only one of six imported here and was immaculate. He sent the info to them and they paid up exactly what we asked.

Our car was driveable and repairable but it would have cost £350 more than the settlement value to fix so was deemed uneconomical.

Eventually you are going to have to settle, but it is worth pushing for more. If you can prove your assertion of the value you are more likely to convince them.

Barnei

At the moment if you dispute the value placed on your car the insurance company will increase (if not already that value) to the one in the current glasses guide. The Financial Ombudsmen normally expects them to offer this value. From experience, you wouldnt get any more than the figure from this guide. Ask your company about their dispute procedure, theres no argueing goes on, they will tell you what they need from you if your not happy with the value, they will assess the evidence you have given them and then make a decision. If you dont like their answer they will normally issue a final response letter to you so you can take it to the FOS.

Twobabies

Many many thanks for all the advice. I shall be posting a new topic on this one as the plot is thickening.

telly-addict

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

Good luck.

loopy_lass

following this thread with interest... my friend has just been rear ended, and cant afford new car as hes bandrupt... cant get another one for a measly £250-300... so they need to up their offer... sharpish

loops

Savvy_Sue

Don't forget that if it's a theft or fire claim you may be able to claim for all the bits and bobs in the car - trouble is it's sometimes months afterwards that you remember what they all were! footpump, warning triangle etc etc etc ...