New car in a smash within 12 hours - write off?
Discussion
Don't worry about it, don't adopt a particular position or make an assumption at this stage, wait and see what they do.
If it is a write off they may well offer you a fair market price.
Just keep cool and let things play out. For every horror story you read on the web there are plenty of perfectly reasonable outcomes.
If it is a write off they may well offer you a fair market price.
Just keep cool and let things play out. For every horror story you read on the web there are plenty of perfectly reasonable outcomes.
Krupp Stahl said:
At least that stopped him driving off from the scene.
That's exactly what I thought. To be fair to the guy, he was extremely upset as he could tell the car was new and when I told him it was 12 hours old he looked like he was going to break down in tears. Nearly as upset as I was!Just bumped into his dad and he couldn't apologise enough. He also said I wouldn't be left out of pocket and there were a few options such as (him) getting his lawyer involved or basically paying the difference of the cost to get a new like-for-like car. Seemed like a nice guy, but obviously, it's no consolation until it actually comes to that and he's still as sure about those options.
McSam said:
Don't worry about their "estimated market value" - you only just bought the car, its market value is quite clearly what you paid for it, or else you wouldn't have paid it. This means that it should be repaired.
If it is written off, you could argue that the amount you paid is actually below market value, because you mentioned you got a personal discount which is unavailable to the general public and not applicable to any replacement.
Absolute bIf it is written off, you could argue that the amount you paid is actually below market value, because you mentioned you got a personal discount which is unavailable to the general public and not applicable to any replacement.
kscharltjr said:
Don't worry about it, don't adopt a particular position or make an assumption at this stage, wait and see what they do.
I'd agree with that - no point in worrying too much at this stage.The daughter of some friends of ours had her little Mitsubishi Colt fairly heavily t-boned. Car worth £2Kish at a push. Everyone involved said it would be a write off.
Sure enough, repair estimate was £3K. 3rd party insurer gave instructions for it to be repaired.
pork911 said:
McSam said:
Don't worry about their "estimated market value" - you only just bought the car, its market value is quite clearly what you paid for it, or else you wouldn't have paid it. This means that it should be repaired.
If it is written off, you could argue that the amount you paid is actually below market value, because you mentioned you got a personal discount which is unavailable to the general public and not applicable to any replacement.
Absolute bIf it is written off, you could argue that the amount you paid is actually below market value, because you mentioned you got a personal discount which is unavailable to the general public and not applicable to any replacement.
ksIf you use that logic, if he'd underpaid for it, the insurer would be allowed to give him what he paid and not what it's worth, which is also tripe.
They pay the market value. That can be less than, more than or the same as what you paid for it the day before.
surely the 3rd party insurer cannot 'write off' the car?
they either pay for repairs, and car hire, and new insurance loading maybe, or they pay the full market value of the car, whichever is higher?
probably cheaper for them to go straight to "here's 14 grand" than piss about with a couple of months hire costs plus repairs, or say "the value of the damaged car is now 1500 or whatever, here's 12500, keep the car"
they either pay for repairs, and car hire, and new insurance loading maybe, or they pay the full market value of the car, whichever is higher?
probably cheaper for them to go straight to "here's 14 grand" than piss about with a couple of months hire costs plus repairs, or say "the value of the damaged car is now 1500 or whatever, here's 12500, keep the car"
Matthen said:
Not sure I'd want it back after it suffered that amount of damage. I'd be praying for a write off. No way i'd buy one if i knew it had suffered that sort of damage - don't see that this is any different.
Push for your 14 k back imo.
My thoughts too. From the description of the car and the Transit, it sounds like quite a knock.Push for your 14 k back imo.
TwigtheWonderkid said:
It is. The insurer does not have to pay you what you paid for it the day before, because you may well have overpaid. Not saying this is the case with the OP, but to say they HAVE to match what you paid very recently is nonsense.
If you use that logic, if he'd underpaid for it, the insurer would be allowed to give him what he paid and not what it's worth, which is also tripe.
They pay the market value. That can be less than, more than or the same as what you paid for it the day before.
The Ombudsman disagrees with you, if you purchased the car "recently" then the price you paid is regarded by the Ombudsman as being the car's valueIf you use that logic, if he'd underpaid for it, the insurer would be allowed to give him what he paid and not what it's worth, which is also tripe.
They pay the market value. That can be less than, more than or the same as what you paid for it the day before.
Crafty_ said:
jig time then.
When you get it back go over with a fine toothcomb, door gaps, fit/action of doors. get a proper 4 wheel alignment done to make sure its properly straight.
Maybe a bit of an old fashioned view, but not sure if I'd want it back to be honest.
If it goes on the jig it will be 4 wheel aligned so no need to worry there. When you get it back go over with a fine toothcomb, door gaps, fit/action of doors. get a proper 4 wheel alignment done to make sure its properly straight.
Maybe a bit of an old fashioned view, but not sure if I'd want it back to be honest.
We got rear ended last summer, 4 wheel alignment check was standard for the repair centre we used.
swisstoni said:
My thoughts too. From the description of the car and the Transit, it sounds like quite a knock.
Before the car was taken away, I had a look around the pillars etc and only the actual rear door panel was damaged. It had been pushed in from the force and stuck to the transit and been pulled nearly off has he bounced off.Boot and all other doors open/closed perfectly. The mangled door actually opened and closed fine, but obviously being bent upwards, you could put your hand into the car whilst it was closed.
Repair centre informed me that the £7,000 cost involved 5 new seat panels, colour matching, 4 new tires, 4 new alloys and the full rear suspension replaced.
Edited by Jonno02 on Sunday 1st March 19:41
Northernchimp said:
Thats an awful lot of money for an old shape Leon FR. Unless its a special edition or has two grand in the boot, I'm sure you could find a few comparable cars for less money. Surely this will be a factor if they write it off?
There's a few FR's around, no FR+'s though.btdk5 said:
bqf said:
It's hard to say without looking at it, but a £7k estimate will probably turn into a £9k bill. I suspect they will write it off.
Even if its repaired, it's going to be worth a lot less than £14k. It's st luck.
I'd be tempted to request it's written off and press for full reimbursement and buy another
Why would it be worth any less if they've repaired it? Even if its repaired, it's going to be worth a lot less than £14k. It's s
t luck.I'd be tempted to request it's written off and press for full reimbursement and buy another
If its a straight repair then it shouldn't - but if a buyer needs any reason to knock price down they will, wouldn't you?
Jonno02 said:
Northernchimp said:
Thats an awful lot of money for an old shape Leon FR. Unless its a special edition or has two grand in the boot, I'm sure you could find a few comparable cars for less money. Surely this will be a factor if they write it off?
There's a few FR's around, no FR+'s though.Not being anti-Seat (got 2), but not sure I'd put £15k in one of those. If they do write it off, at least buy the new shape. You'll lose a load of money on a mk2.
Edited by Northernchimp on Sunday 1st March 20:03
Edited by Northernchimp on Sunday 1st March 20:04
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