Car write off - what can/can't i do?

[mpm1987]

Lewisp12 said:

UPDATE!

Just heard from the insurers. £2500 that I'll get for the car. As I really like it, I've decided that I'll want to keep it.
So, minus the excess and buying the car back from the insurers will leave me with just over £1200.

Anyone know of anyone / any garages that can fix this around the Surrey/ Middlesex area? I'm not too confident when it comes to bodywork. I'll look to source the parts myself.

All I need is a grille, a bonnet and quite possibly the hinges and latch too. The bumper is still good - just needs a polish.

Any suggestions are welcomed. Thanks guys!

Where are you based?
I'm in Ashford, happy to give you a hand fixing it if you want? Shouldn't be too hard to sort out. Send me a PM if you want

[Lewisp12]

mpm1987 said:

Lewisp12 said:

UPDATE!

Just heard from the insurers. £2500 that I'll get for the car. As I really like it, I've decided that I'll want to keep it.
So, minus the excess and buying the car back from the insurers will leave me with just over £1200.

Anyone know of anyone / any garages that can fix this around the Surrey/ Middlesex area? I'm not too confident when it comes to bodywork. I'll look to source the parts myself.

All I need is a grille, a bonnet and quite possibly the hinges and latch too. The bumper is still good - just needs a polish.

Any suggestions are welcomed. Thanks guys!

Where are you based?
I'm in Ashford, happy to give you a hand fixing it if you want? Shouldn't be too hard to sort out. Send me a PM if you want

Thank you MPM1987!

That's really nice of you! I'm currently negotiating on a price for the car with the insurers... I'll keep you all updated.
I should hear from them tomorrow...

[Gareth79]

pisdonthread said:

Maybe I am missing something, but can't you just not claim on your policy for the damage to your own car. obviously the 3rd party will still claim against you by the sounds of things, but at least you keep your excess and only have to pay for the repair if you choose this route? maybe it is too late but that's what I did when my wife had a similar prang in my car and sourced the parts on ebay. OK it was only a Puma but cost me only £80 and i fitted the parts myself. plus my excess was as much as the car was worth so would not have been worth claiming

I'm guessing that since it will be recorded as a fault claim and impact premiums anyway then they might as well claim for their car too.

[kiethton]

Gareth79 said:

I'm guessing that since it will be recorded as a fault claim and impact premiums anyway then they might as well claim for their car too.

This.

Also one thing to remember for the scrap value negotiations...it'll be recorded as a category C or D depending on how the assessor feels on the day, could require a VIC after (or even before) the damage is repaired to get it back on the road legally and of course it'll be worth a good chunk less and harder to sell on should you wish to

[gizlaroc]

Don't let them write it off. Ask for cash in lieu.
This will usually be quite a high payout without it being recorded.

May be better to just by used parts anyway of you have a £600 excess.

[Lewisp12]

UPDATE!

Hi guys!
Well, after some negotiation, the car was valued by the insurers at £3200! I pocketed just over £2000.

I managed to find a second hand bonnet, (in the same colour, okish condition - no need for respray), for £180. Bolted straight on. Happy days!

However, the insurers are requesting an engineers report along with a full MOT within 28 days... Is this really necessary as its only a CAT D? If so, anyone know which is the best company to contact for an engineers report?

Many thanks!