Car scrapped without consent

jrfarrim

Hi Guys I'm after some advise regarding my car.

It was in an accident and written off by the Insurance company as a cat 3 write off (bodywork damage). I receieved a letter from my insurance company stating the amount they were paying out, excess etc... It also stated that I had 14 days to contact them about getting the car back before they took ownership and disposed of the car. This letter was dated 04/06/08, I have called them this morning 16/06 enquirying about getting the car back as I believe I can repair the damage for a couple of hundred quid. The car payout was £940 minus £350 excess.

However they tell me that they have actually scrapped the car already, before the 14 days are up.

Do I have any right to try and claim some compensation for this as I believe I will now be out of pocket due to their actions.

Thanks in advance.

J

lisyloo

Yes I think you are entitled to something.

Unfortunately I don't think it's any different financially to your current situation so I don't think you will have suffered a financial loss.
If you think you will have suffered a loss then please explain how.

Was the letter delayed?
I'm just wondering why you didn't contact them sooner?
If it was delayed in the post, why didn't you call them?
I would be chasing up something as important as this and avoiding what has happened.
If you were on holiday, that's unfortunately but I would have left them strict instructions NOT to do anything until my return.

raskazz

You say it's a "cat 3" write off - do you mean category C? I'd be surprised if the car had literally been 'scrapped' so quickly if it was a category C - it's probably being stored at a salvage yard, so I'd double check with the insurers, ask them exactly where the car is, and maybe even call the salvage firm yourself.

jrfarrim

When I mean financial loss, I believe I could have the car on the road for £300. To replace the car with a similar model is going to cost me £1000 minimum.

raskazz

jrfarrim wrote: »

When I mean financial loss, I believe I could have the car on the road for £300. To replace the car with a similar model is going to cost me £1000 minimum.

On the figures you've given they valued the car at £1290, so it looks like you're not in a bad position on that front.

Don't forget you'd probably have to add the £35 cost of a VIC (Vehicle Identity Check) and also a fresh MOT if you were going to repair the car yourself.

tinkerbell84

You would have had close to £1000 if it weren't for your excess. As you had to pay the excess I'm guessing the accident was your fault. So you take what the insurers have given you, add the £300 you'd be spending on repairs and you have close to £1000.

Won't the insurers charge you for the salvage of your car?

There's nothing in an insurance policy to protect you from financial loss, I'm afraid.

tinkerbell84

raskazz wrote: »

On the figures you've given they valued the car at £1290, so it looks like you're not in a bad position on that front.

Don't forget you'd probably have to add the £35 cost of a VIC (Vehicle Identity Check) and also a fresh MOT if you were going to repair the car yourself. Given that this added to the £300 cost of repairs would then be greater than your £350 excess it may well be best to take the cheque.

I think they valued it at £940

raskazz

tinkerbell84 wrote: »

I think they valued it at £940

Good point, I took the OP to mean that it was £940 after the excess. Funnily enough Boots sent me a reminder to get my eyes tested today!

loofer

Correct me if I'm wrong here folks, but the insurance company would effectively sell the car back to the policy holder, so they wouldn't get the full £590. It would be considerably less, that's dependant on what value is placed on the vehicle and any subsequent negotiations.

Aswell as cost of repair/MOT/VIC, you need to factor into account any increase in premium that many insurers levy when in insuring a vehicle that has previously been in an accident (even if have the all clear through a VIC). Also remember the low realse value of a Cat C vehicle.

jrfarrim

Just to let you know guys, I made a complaint and they came back with an offer of £150 in compensation within 30mins last night.

This was made up of £50, which they would have valued the car at & £100 for the stress it has caused me.

So happy with the result overall.

Liability for the crash is still being sorted and I'm hoping eventually to get the £350 excess back but have been told it could drag on for months.