New car in a smash within 12 hours - write off?
Discussion
Hi guys,
Just looking for a bit of advice. I know there's a lot of threads like this, but this one has a little something extra which has me stressed out my head.
I upgraded from a 10 year old corsa C to a Seat Leon FR+ last week. Car was about £14,000 in great nick, and 18k miles on it. Utterly chuffed.
I drove the car home - about 40 miles and parked it outside my house where all our cars are parked (in a quiet residential street). The next morning about 9, a transit van had barrelled right into the rear end of it, ripped off the back drivers door, buckling the rear drivers wheel inwards and smashing the rear bumper. Van driver tore off his two front wheels completely and claimed "something ran out in front of him"...
Insurance company did an uplift on the car and the garage phoned me to let me know that they have faxed their repair estimate off which was £7,000 to the insurance company.
So at least £7,000 on a £14,000 car - which I know the insurance company will say market value is "around the "10.5 mark, not 14" - I've had a look and I won't get back into the same model car within 150 miles, with similar (read: higher as there's none below 20k miles) for less than £14,995 as I got a discount on the Leon because a family member had bought a car from the same garage the week before.
So I've gathered 12 adverts for similar spec leon's as proof for when they come back with their low ball offer as the garage reckoned "this insurance company just write off most superficial damage - and your car has far more than superficial damage". On paper, it's 50% of the value, which I'd prefer the car to be repaired. But to them, it'll be high 70's no doubt, with their value of the car.
Just looking for a bit of information from someone that knows about this sort of stuff, as I don't really have a clue. Think it's a likely write off?
Cheers.
Just looking for a bit of advice. I know there's a lot of threads like this, but this one has a little something extra which has me stressed out my head.
I upgraded from a 10 year old corsa C to a Seat Leon FR+ last week. Car was about £14,000 in great nick, and 18k miles on it. Utterly chuffed.
I drove the car home - about 40 miles and parked it outside my house where all our cars are parked (in a quiet residential street). The next morning about 9, a transit van had barrelled right into the rear end of it, ripped off the back drivers door, buckling the rear drivers wheel inwards and smashing the rear bumper. Van driver tore off his two front wheels completely and claimed "something ran out in front of him"...
Insurance company did an uplift on the car and the garage phoned me to let me know that they have faxed their repair estimate off which was £7,000 to the insurance company.
So at least £7,000 on a £14,000 car - which I know the insurance company will say market value is "around the "10.5 mark, not 14" - I've had a look and I won't get back into the same model car within 150 miles, with similar (read: higher as there's none below 20k miles) for less than £14,995 as I got a discount on the Leon because a family member had bought a car from the same garage the week before.
So I've gathered 12 adverts for similar spec leon's as proof for when they come back with their low ball offer as the garage reckoned "this insurance company just write off most superficial damage - and your car has far more than superficial damage". On paper, it's 50% of the value, which I'd prefer the car to be repaired. But to them, it'll be high 70's no doubt, with their value of the car.
Just looking for a bit of information from someone that knows about this sort of stuff, as I don't really have a clue. Think it's a likely write off?
Cheers.
Can't tell without pictures.
But not sure why an insurance company will write off a £14k car with £7k damages - won't they just fix it for you? Or are you saying you don't want them to fix it and want you £14k?
Isn't that what Gap insurance is - to bridge the gap between what you paid and the market value? Probably to late to ask if you took it?
But not sure why an insurance company will write off a £14k car with £7k damages - won't they just fix it for you? Or are you saying you don't want them to fix it and want you £14k?
Isn't that what Gap insurance is - to bridge the gap between what you paid and the market value? Probably to late to ask if you took it?
Edited by Matt UK on Sunday 1st March 12:17
I really feel for you, ending up in this situation so soon after buying what sounds like a good car!
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. Gathering adverts is a good idea, and there being no directly comparable replacement available might strengthen your case. If you're having issues with the valuation, the stance should be that unless the insurer can find a direct replacement for the amount they're offering, it isn't enough... But as I say, I would hope that in your case the car is repaired and you can avoid the hassle.
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. Gathering adverts is a good idea, and there being no directly comparable replacement available might strengthen your case. If you're having issues with the valuation, the stance should be that unless the insurer can find a direct replacement for the amount they're offering, it isn't enough... But as I say, I would hope that in your case the car is repaired and you can avoid the hassle.
Matt UK said:
Can't tell without pictures.
But not sure why an insurance company will write off a £14k car with £7 damages - won't they just fix it for you? Or are you saying you don't want them to fix it and want you £14k?
Isn't that what Gap insurance is - to bridge the gap between what you paid and the market value? Probably to late to ask if you took it?
I'm hoping that if they say it's a write off and then I haggle and show proof/say I'll take it to the ombudsman etc that they'll repair the car rather than try push on to settle. But not sure why an insurance company will write off a £14k car with £7 damages - won't they just fix it for you? Or are you saying you don't want them to fix it and want you £14k?
Isn't that what Gap insurance is - to bridge the gap between what you paid and the market value? Probably to late to ask if you took it?
Here's a picture showing the majority of the impact damage: http://postimg.org/image/458u7lm45/
Cheers guys. I really do appreciate the input. Most other forums would produce replies with "well that's what you get for not buying 'insert car' and getting a Leon instead."
Has the wheel moved in the arch (compared to the other side) ? it looks quite far forwards, but could just be angle of the picture, do the other doors still open and close ok ? boot ? take care to inspect the panel fit/gaps to see if anything moved.
If this stuff is ok I'd suggest it will be repaired. If the wheel moved and/or doors don't shut it may need time on a jig. The last thing you want is to force a poor repair.
At 7k I can't see it being written off.
If this stuff is ok I'd suggest it will be repaired. If the wheel moved and/or doors don't shut it may need time on a jig. The last thing you want is to force a poor repair.
At 7k I can't see it being written off.
You said the OSR door was ripped off - this COULD mean there is damage to the b-pillar too (can't see from the pic you linked to) which, in my completely novice opinion, means a higher likelihood of write-off.
The OSR wheel looks to be at an odd angle too (although, admittedly, difficult to see properly on your image) which could point to suspension damage, and damage to the shell/chassis where the suspension mounts are.
With the van driver being (it would appear) completely at fault it MAY be simpler for the insurance co to write your car off, pay you out and then be reimbursed by the van insurance co. Remember the £7K repair bill will have to be topped-up by providing you with some sort of hire/courtesy vehicle while your car is being repaired, which could potentially take 2-4 weeks. Not cheap.
The OSR wheel looks to be at an odd angle too (although, admittedly, difficult to see properly on your image) which could point to suspension damage, and damage to the shell/chassis where the suspension mounts are.
With the van driver being (it would appear) completely at fault it MAY be simpler for the insurance co to write your car off, pay you out and then be reimbursed by the van insurance co. Remember the £7K repair bill will have to be topped-up by providing you with some sort of hire/courtesy vehicle while your car is being repaired, which could potentially take 2-4 weeks. Not cheap.
Crafty_ said:
Has the wheel moved in the arch (compared to the other side) ? it looks quite far forwards, but could just be angle of the picture, do the other doors still open and close ok ? boot ? take care to inspect the panel fit/gaps to see if anything moved.
If this stuff is ok I'd suggest it will be repaired. If the wheel moved and/or doors don't shut it may need time on a jig. The last thing you want is to force a poor repair.
At 7k I can't see it being written off.
Yeah that wheel has been pushed against the arch!If this stuff is ok I'd suggest it will be repaired. If the wheel moved and/or doors don't shut it may need time on a jig. The last thing you want is to force a poor repair.
At 7k I can't see it being written off.
A couple of things first.
You didn't get a £995 discount because a family member had also purchased the week before. Dealers aren't charities. You got a £995 discount because it was already in the price and giving it to you make you feel good. If you went back with £14K and asked for a similar car the reply would simply be we will try and have it ready next Saturday Sir.
Car you bought is probably worth £12K but that's ok and dealers have costs and do have to make a profit.
Repair quote is £7K but that without two rather important things. What further damage is under the skin, and also your car rental costs.
I would say they would write it off. As you bought so recently they would be hard pushed to give you anything less than £14K
You didn't get a £995 discount because a family member had also purchased the week before. Dealers aren't charities. You got a £995 discount because it was already in the price and giving it to you make you feel good. If you went back with £14K and asked for a similar car the reply would simply be we will try and have it ready next Saturday Sir.
Car you bought is probably worth £12K but that's ok and dealers have costs and do have to make a profit.
Repair quote is £7K but that without two rather important things. What further damage is under the skin, and also your car rental costs.
I would say they would write it off. As you bought so recently they would be hard pushed to give you anything less than £14K
Jonno02 said:
ripped off the back drivers door, buckling the rear drivers wheel inwards and smashing the rear bumper. Van driver tore off his two front wheels completely
Sounds like one hell of a smash if it actually ripped your back door off completely and completely tore off the front wheels (and presumably hubs & brakes) of the van.Surprised they can fix that for £7K.
I think it will be written off.
But, that opinion is worth nothing at all, as are other opinions on here, saying the opposite. We haven't seen the car nor professionally assessed it.
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 s
t luck.
I'd be tempted to request it's written off and press for full reimbursement and buy another
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
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
My experience: rodent damage caused damage estimated to cost £5,500 to repair (complete loom replacement). Car was written off at an agreed value of £7,750.
Presumably they factor in the resale value the vehicle has as a write-off in the decision.
Presumably they factor in the resale value the vehicle has as a write-off in the decision.
Edited by iamed on Sunday 1st March 16:03
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