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[ronnyd]

Some numpty stopped outside the house just up the road, got out, left his handbrake off, you can guess the rest.
Have two dents in boot, bumper has sprung off both sides and the cross member that is under the plastic cover just
inside the boot is deformed so i can,t shut the boot. Any thoughts and comments you have could be helpful bearing in
mind the age of the car etc. I would like to keep the car if at all possible but i suppose it depends on the insurers.

[Broomies Mate]

Nothing to do with the Insurers.  As it is quite clearly not your fault, the Insurance company have to leave you in a position you were in before the incident. 

Very importantly, never let the insurance company take the car ANYWHERE.  Allow the assessor to come to you and have it assessed at your premises. 

[Webby the Bear]

Nothing to do with the Insurers.  As it is quite clearly not your fault, the Insurance company have to leave you in a position you were in before the incident. 

Very importantly, never let the insurance company take the car ANYWHERE.  Allow the assessor to come to you and have it assessed at your premises. 

+1 mate 

[Magwheels]

That'll be a t/loss. Insist on a cash in lue (of repairs) if you want to keep the car.

Make sure the offer is fair though if you are going down the CIl route.

That way you can keep the car and sort the repairs yourself and it won't be on the register either.

[Entwood]

Nothing to do with the Insurers.  As it is quite clearly not your fault, the Insurance company have to leave you in a position you were in before the incident. 

Very importantly, never let the insurance company take the car ANYWHERE.  Allow the assessor to come to you and have it assessed at your premises. 

Unfortunately not true, having had Mrs E's clit written off after she was T-boned and the other Insurers admitted liability but still wrote the car off as "un-economical to repair"   .. for a door and a plastic wing ... total cost of actual repair £900 ... took this all the way to the Insurance Ombudsman and lost ... .. the ruling was deemed as "fair" as the payout given - £1095 - was deemed to be a "correct" assessment of the value of the car, and the repair costs were more than 60% of the cars value. The idea that you must be put back to exactly where you were .. regardless of cost was kicked out by the Appeal Court some years back it seems ...

[Broomies Mate]

Nothing to do with the Insurers.  As it is quite clearly not your fault, the Insurance company have to leave you in a position you were in before the incident. 

Very importantly, never let the insurance company take the car ANYWHERE.  Allow the assessor to come to you and have it assessed at your premises. 

Unfortunately not true, having had Mrs E's clit written off after she was T-boned and the other Insurers admitted liability but still wrote the car off as "un-economical to repair"   .. for a door and a plastic wing ... total cost of actual repair £900 ... took this all the way to the Insurance Ombudsman and lost ... .. the ruling was deemed as "fair" as the payout given - £1095 - was deemed to be a "correct" assessment of the value of the car, and the repair costs were more than 60% of the cars value. The idea that you must be put back to exactly where you were .. regardless of cost was kicked out by the Appeal Court some years back it seems ...

In this instance, you would be able to receive a cash settlement of £1,095 and then purchase the car from the Insurance Company for approx 10% of the vehicle value (£110).  This may be impossible IF the Insurance Company has already taken the car away, as it has more than likely been scrapped.  Assuming the Write-Off is CAT D/C, very simple to get your own reapairs done at a fraction of the cost and retain the car, and a sizeable sum of cash.

That's what I did with SWMBO's 106 when it was 'tapped' in the side by a Pizza Delivery Guy.

Never let the car leave you.
Never accept 1st or 2nd offer of settlement (unless you deem them more than reasonable).

Remember, until you formally agree to a settlement, the car is the sole property of YOU (unless there is finance involved).

[Entwood]

Nothing to do with the Insurers.  As it is quite clearly not your fault, the Insurance company have to leave you in a position you were in before the incident. 

Very importantly, never let the insurance company take the car ANYWHERE.  Allow the assessor to come to you and have it assessed at your premises. 

Unfortunately not true, having had Mrs E's clit written off after she was T-boned and the other Insurers admitted liability but still wrote the car off as "un-economical to repair"   .. for a door and a plastic wing ... total cost of actual repair £900 ... took this all the way to the Insurance Ombudsman and lost ... .. the ruling was deemed as "fair" as the payout given - £1095 - was deemed to be a "correct" assessment of the value of the car, and the repair costs were more than 60% of the cars value. The idea that you must be put back to exactly where you were .. regardless of cost was kicked out by the Appeal Court some years back it seems ...

In this instance, you would be able to receive a cash settlement of £1,095 and then purchase the car from the Insurance Company for approx 10% of the vehicle value (£110).  This may be impossible IF the Insurance Company has already taken the car away, as it has more than likely been scrapped.  Assuming the Write-Off is CAT D/C, very simple to get your own reapairs done at a fraction of the cost and retain the car, and a sizeable sum of cash.

That's what I did with SWMBO's 106 when it was 'tapped' in the side by a Pizza Delivery Guy.

Never let the car leave you.
Never accept 1st or 2nd offer of settlement (unless you deem them more than reasonable).

Remember, until you formally agree to a settlement, the car is the sole property of YOU (unless there is finance involved).

Essentially that's what happened .. but the point I was making is that the statement " the Insurance company have to leave you in a position you were in before the incident." ,which some folk think is that you can insist the car is repaired, is simply not true.... you have no different rights if it is the third parties insurers or your own... 

[Keith ABS]

  If you know a bodyshop well, they can do  a contract repair. that is where they state that no matter what, the amount agreed with the insurance company will be the total amount received. With a contract repair, the money is saved by the repaier/you by using secondhand parts.
Keith B

[woolley11]

Totally agree with Broomies Mate!

If you want to keep the car ...  Don't let the car out your sight!!!!!!

Keep the keys in your pocket and V5 under the mattress

The assessor will come to where the car is. If it goes to a recovery company or off your drive you've lost control and can more or less say bye bye to it with a pathetic settlement.

Say to assessor you want to keep the salvage - happened to me a few years ago when someone rear ended my a Dolomite Sprint - I kept  the car, and got £750 towards repairs which cost me abut that actually  - but at least I kept the car 

[Magwheels]

The insurance company cannot scrap the car until a value has been agreed. The FOS site clearly states how the FOS would value a car and it would be using motor trade guides. If you want to keep the car get a home inspection, insist on a CIL and base it on either his report or an independent estimate (or both) to make sure the CIL offer is fair. A CIL means the car is not registered as a total loss and you keep the car.

Its what I do!!!

[Broomies Mate]

The insurance company cannot scrap the car until a value has been agreed. The FOS site clearly states how the FOS would value a car and it would be using motor trade guides. If you want to keep the car get a home inspection, insist on a CIL and base it on either his report or an independent estimate (or both) to make sure the CIL offer is fair. A CIL means the car is not registered as a total loss and you keep the car.

Its what I do!!!

Unfortunately, what tends to happen is these cars get transported to a lock-up somewhere, where they are moved around by a forklift - causing damage to sills, exhausts and floor pan.  They tend to drain the fuel from the tanks (perks of the job) and generally treat the cars like shite.

Not scrapped, as such, but scrapped, none the less. 

[Nick W]

Pretty much any insurance claim on an Omega will write it off. They're simply not worth enough for an insurance company to pay for repairs, even at the laughably low rates they pay. If you don't like that, then get rid of it, and replace it with something worth at least £5k.

[zirk]

If the other party is definitly Insursured and the Insurance Co has admitted liabilty, get an Independant Insurance Assesor to work on your behalf, by the time He has finished with them, your be more than happy to write the car off and probably keep the car for scrap value.  (Loss of earnings, replacement Hire Car costs, inconveniance money etc.)

[Elmstoneboy]

Dented my bumper and nearside rear corner and decided to get it all done myself. Just didn't want to involve the insurance
company. Like you I knew they would write it off. My wife had somebody wipe the side of their car across her front wing, not a lot of damage to the Discovery 1, just needed unbolting and the new panel bolted back on and a bit of paint. The other cars insurers tried to write the disco off until I told them politely?? on the phone that it's BL**** stupid to write of a Land Rover as plenty of parts available.
Another point, If the insurance company get involved, they have to report the incident, no matter how small, to some central system and this usually means that your next insurance will be higher as you are now listed as a higher risk even thou it's wasn't your fault. Have you asked the other driver if they would pay towards it, it will put his insurance up as well.
If you sort it yourself and they do hear about it, say the repair is just cosmetic.

A before and after of my car.(it was done in a local bodyshop not by me) I got the lights of Ebay and the bumper of
a Forum member for £70

https://www.dropbox.com/s/al586r212uraxa7/2014-06-24%2017.06.04.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/y7jm049gneh7uz9/2014-10-20%2015.22.24-1.jpg?dl=0

My sons truck behind was what I hit, It's not usually in the yard, was that day!!! who's a silly twit.


The real value of your car is what it is worth to you.

[chrisgixer]

Prety much as the guys say, it will almost certainly be a write off. But that doesn't mean the end for the car. Mine is a cat c sadly. Door/wing/bent wishbone/two scuffed front wheels and a tyre. More than the value of 3k to repair.

Kept the car, £2600 pay out. Repaired myself for £500.


But as said, do keep the car on your premises if you want to keep it. Mine was towed away to an approved repairer. Driver was told it WILL be repaired, so be careful with it. On return to my house a weak later, he'd wound the Car too far up the ramp and smashed the bumper into the winch. £250 check recieved from the approved repairer for the damage. Irmscher bumper was ready to go on anyway, job jobbed.

Approved repairer was a right w***** though. "I'm not repairing the whole bumper if that's what you want. £50 blow in round the number plate and that's your lot"...

"....we'll just see about that then shall we" I said. I'd of been happy with £150 but no he wanted to be an arse about it.

[Diamond Black Geezer]

Have to say a similar incident happened when father clouted a road sign in the old TD... bumper was actually ok, bar a couple of snapped clips, but the rear crossmember was deformed, boot dented heavily (lights ok, though)

Basically...

Car insurance write off - why even bother ringing anyone? Waste of everyone's time so...

-New 2nd hand bootlid in the same colour off OOF
-Ratchet straps attached to something sturdy, like a tree, gatepost, another parked car etc.. pull crossmember and boot lip back out
-Fettle, mallets etc.. until boot shuts again.
-New 2nd hand bumper in similar(!) colour off OOF

Total cost about two days and £50ish... That's no specialist tools (unless you count ratchet straps) no specialist knowledge, no specialists' time, just some common sense and a couple of days... well, that's if we discount the initial lack of common sense in having a car with worn wishbone bushes, incorrect camber at the rear, consequential greasy handling causing the car to 180 on a country road in the first place, of course 

[ronnyd]

Assessor came today(to my house), definitely writeoff, . But i still have the car and will wait for offers from my
insurers.(AXA), then will see my local body shop to get it roadworthy again with temporary repair if poss.

[zirk]

Assessor came today(to my house), definitely writeoff, . But i still have the car and will wait for offers from my
insurers.(AXA), then will see my local body shop to get it roadworthy again with temporary repair if poss.

Dont even know why you are dealing with your Insurance, you wasn't even in the Car when it happened. Should have dealt directly with His Insurance Co, and if they got stroppy, then get an Independent Assessor to deal with them and claim His costs from them.

Another black mark on your Insurance record through no fault of yours now.

 

[Magwheels]

AXA, round the corner from me, their assessor was from Hooper's no doubt.

Make sure you get them to get an admission of liability from the other insurer that way you know they will make a full recovery and you will not lose your excess etc.

Can be wise dealing with your own insurer as if you deal with the TP insurer you have no FOS referral rights.

If they make you an offer ask from where the data comes from and insist they send the valuation data over.

If you get stuck PM me.

[ronnyd]

Both myself and the TP are insured with AXA, me with Swinton and him Swift Cover which was why i went through
my broker. Should have first offer tomorrow or Monday.

[Magwheels]

At least being a "friendly" claim they can't blame the other insurers for any delays.

AXA underwrite a multitude of policies so not a surprise they might insure both of you really.

But be aware FOS referral rights still apply.

To be honest AXA are not a bad business to be dealing with.

We await your offer

[Broomies Mate]

That's bad new in my experience.  The insurance company will, in effect, be claiming against themselves.

In this scenario, they will be looking to minimise the costs all round.

If they were claiming against another underwriter, cost wouldn't be an issue..........

[ronnyd]

Just heard from insurance company, they have valued car at £830 plus i get to keep it. Am seeing my local body shop
about repairs as it is very reliable and i want to keep it,(better the devil you know etc.) Mileage is 96k. It,s been
assessed as Cat C. Any thoughts anyone? TIA.

[Diamond Black Geezer]

Sounds great news to me. Get as many parts 2nd hand but decent as poss, therefore giving you the chance to go bananas at the bodyshop. Better than getting brand new parts, which there's then not enough money left in the kitty for a decent respray, if you follow? Looking forward to hearing the progress. 

[Magwheels]

Told you they wasn't that bad!

Cat C means you will need to get a VIC , not to much bother. It just checks the vehicle identity and is there to help stop ringing etc.

VIC costs about the same as an MOT but the checking stations are few and far between. That's why I recommended a CIL as it would not have gone on the register as a prev t/loss and no VIC required.

Still not too bad an outcome.

[05omegav6]

Told you they wasn't that bad!

Cat C means you will need to get a VIC , not to much bother. It just checks the vehicle identity and is there to help stop ringing etc.

VIC costs about the same as an MOT but the checking stations are few and far between. That's why I recommended a CIL as it would not have gone on the register as a prev t/loss and no VIC required.

Still not too bad an outcome.

All well and good, but insurers have a nasty habit of logging the salvage as a category loss BEFORE they let you know, regardless of any previous instruction

[ronnyd]

Couldn,t screw any more dosh out of the insurers, tight gits. Have had car straightened out, looks ok apart from the
dent in the boot. Will decide what to do next spring. Car is now cat C so do i get certificate from insurers or do i just
go ahead and arrange for a VIC check? This is all new to me so any info would help.TIA.

[Diamond Black Geezer]

There's a mint boot in my local scrappy in Z147 with a prodrive spoiler, not gold, I know, but just a thought if none other get offered

[05omegav6]

Firstly, your insurance will be reduced to Third party only until you have a VIC check done.

Needs a fresh Mot then book it in with VOSA. Current Mot should still be valid, but a new confirms the car is currently roadworthy when it is presented for the identity check.

Once checked, you will receive a new V5 with a note on the front page saying it has had a VIC and why

[omegod]

You don't need a Vic , any subsequent owner would need to though! You can throw £45 away if you want to though. Btw your mot is still valid just in case you were wondering

[05omegav6]

Both true John, mine has yet to be done ten months after the event only reason I haven't done it is that I have no intention of selling it. That said once the Mot is renewed I intend to get it done just to keep the paperwork in order

Car is now insured elsewhere,  so the previous insures TP only stigma is no longer relevant too...

iirc the fresh Mot was a requirement of the insurers along with the VIC in order for them to continue/reinstate fully comp cover. Have had the same conditions imposed by two different insurers following settled claims, so be wise to double check be a bit naughty if they didn't tell you that in their settlement letter though

[ronnyd]

Still haven,t been paid out by TP,s insurance yet so have no notification from them, stingy ,tards.

[05omegav6]

Notification should be forthcoming if its actually written off...

[Shackeng]

What is CIL referred to above?

[05omegav6]

Compensation In Lieu

[omegod]

Just heard from insurance company, they have valued car at £830 plus i get to keep it. Am seeing my local body shop
about repairs as it is very reliable and i want to keep it,(better the devil you know etc.) Mileage is 96k. It,s been
assessed as Cat C. Any thoughts anyone? TIA.

Thinking on is that £830 in your hand? IIRC my last experience was when ASDA car wash damaged my old 2.2. They valued it at £1000 then took off £200 scrap value and I kept the car. I remember him asking if I was happy to accept and him laughing when I asked him to chuck an extra £25 on for inconvenience I Had a nice carvery on AXA . The car wasn't categorised in any way either now I think about it.

[Shackeng]

Compensation In Lieu

 

[ronnyd]

Just heard from insurance company, they have valued car at £830 plus i get to keep it. Am seeing my local body shop
about repairs as it is very reliable and i want to keep it,(better the devil you know etc.) Mileage is 96k. It,s been
assessed as Cat C. Any thoughts anyone? TIA.

Thinking on is that £830 in your hand? IIRC my last experience was when ASDA car wash damaged my old 2.2. They valued it at £1000 then took off £200 scrap value and I kept the car. I remember him asking if I was happy to accept and him laughing when I asked him to chuck an extra £25 on for inconvenience I Had a nice carvery on AXA . The car wasn't categorised in any way either now I think about it.

According to the letter i had last week they have put the salvage value at £24.81p, but, as i haven,t got the cheque yet
so not counting chickens quite yet. Will keep you informed.

[ronnyd]

Cheque arrived today and it did put salvage value at £25. Also got car back today, cross member straightened out and
bumper refitted, but boot still has small dents but for £90 my local small body repairers have done a good job.
As i have no intention of selling car in the forseeable future do i need to take for a VIC check or can i leave it to later?

[05omegav6]

Leave it for later, BUT double check with insurers regarding current level of cover

[ronnyd]

Can i still tax, insure & MOT it without having VIC check done? and thanks to you all for your previous advice.

[05omegav6]

You can, but as said your existing insurer might insist on reduced cover until it's done regardless of whether it's a fully comp policy or not...

[Entwood]

Can i still tax, insure & MOT it without having VIC check done? and thanks to you all for your previous advice.

Not all insurers will take on a cat c/d car. We found the choices limited to Direct Line or via "A Plan"  brokers, who supposedly "specialise" in cat c/d write offs. We did find them to be very picky/awkward to deal with so have gone with Direct Line .. no problems with VIC at all .. still not done some 15 months after the "write off"

[ronnyd]

Have contacted my insurers (AXA) and they will continue to cover me fully comp but they require a VIC test to be done.
Insuance runs out mid Jan anyway. As i intend to keep it i will get it done anyway.