My insurance company want to write my car off
Discussion
Can I ask the Pistonheads knowledeg base for some factual advice?
Without going into specifics, I don't want to compromise the present situation.
My weekend runabout was reversed into at speed by another driver. Independent witnesses and formal admition of liability by other driver. Their insurance company have accepted liability... All seemes ok so far!!
Just heard from my insurer that the car is beyond economical repair.
I don't agree and just want to have the damage fixed.
What are my options?
Can I go directly to the other drivers insurers?
I really don't want to lose the car or, indeed, write it off at all
So what would my options be to save my car?
Without going into specifics, I don't want to compromise the present situation.
My weekend runabout was reversed into at speed by another driver. Independent witnesses and formal admition of liability by other driver. Their insurance company have accepted liability... All seemes ok so far!!
Just heard from my insurer that the car is beyond economical repair.
I don't agree and just want to have the damage fixed.
What are my options?
Can I go directly to the other drivers insurers?
I really don't want to lose the car or, indeed, write it off at all
So what would my options be to save my car?
Thank you all for the feedback and information so far.
Still awaiting further news from my own insurer. However the other drivers insurance have now been in touch several times hinting that it would be faster and easier for me to have them deal with the claim. The make the, valid, point that if they handle the accident I will not have to pursue the excess payment.
I am tempted to listen to them as at least they have been in regular contact!
Still awaiting further news from my own insurer. However the other drivers insurance have now been in touch several times hinting that it would be faster and easier for me to have them deal with the claim. The make the, valid, point that if they handle the accident I will not have to pursue the excess payment.
I am tempted to listen to them as at least they have been in regular contact!
Lordy Lordy! This is all geting complicated and heated.
For clarity I was in the car at the time, car in front moved off on green light, drilled the anchors and stopped. Not a problem, I had it in hand, and was still half a car length back and stopped, easily clear. Driver in front slotted into reverse and drove straight back into to me. She said later that she was confused about what to do at our traffic lights as they are different to what she is used to in South Africa!!! Thank God for the witnesses that were good enough to give statements, can`t thank them enough!
Anyway, thanks again for the input.
I am forming the opinion that `cash in lieu` or telling the insurer I want to keep the car and buy it back from them is the way to go.
I guess I am not alone in having much more than a financial interest in my vehicles. If that wasn`t so, they would be just like white goods with no soul and I would have to hang up my Pisonhead hat.
I have done a load of research on similar vehicle offered for sale right now. And, all emotion aside, none match mine. When I factor in new Bridgestones all round on fully refurbished wheels, new mohair soft top, new ABS unit, Major service, 12 months Road Fund Licence and fresh MOT all within the last month. Then the additional costs of transferring the number and the loss of my Residents parking permit( not tranferable or refundable!) it is gut wrenching to even consider the car being at the end of its life! Especially as it really did look and drive like it had just left the factory yesterday.
I will keep you posted as to how it all works out in the end.
On a slightly different tack. How much different would this position have been if I had insurance with one of the `classic` type broker/ policy types that proliferate in Classic and Sportscar/ Octane/ etc etc? Anyone with any real life experience on these types ?
For clarity I was in the car at the time, car in front moved off on green light, drilled the anchors and stopped. Not a problem, I had it in hand, and was still half a car length back and stopped, easily clear. Driver in front slotted into reverse and drove straight back into to me. She said later that she was confused about what to do at our traffic lights as they are different to what she is used to in South Africa!!! Thank God for the witnesses that were good enough to give statements, can`t thank them enough!
Anyway, thanks again for the input.
I am forming the opinion that `cash in lieu` or telling the insurer I want to keep the car and buy it back from them is the way to go.
I guess I am not alone in having much more than a financial interest in my vehicles. If that wasn`t so, they would be just like white goods with no soul and I would have to hang up my Pisonhead hat.
I have done a load of research on similar vehicle offered for sale right now. And, all emotion aside, none match mine. When I factor in new Bridgestones all round on fully refurbished wheels, new mohair soft top, new ABS unit, Major service, 12 months Road Fund Licence and fresh MOT all within the last month. Then the additional costs of transferring the number and the loss of my Residents parking permit( not tranferable or refundable!) it is gut wrenching to even consider the car being at the end of its life! Especially as it really did look and drive like it had just left the factory yesterday.
I will keep you posted as to how it all works out in the end.
On a slightly different tack. How much different would this position have been if I had insurance with one of the `classic` type broker/ policy types that proliferate in Classic and Sportscar/ Octane/ etc etc? Anyone with any real life experience on these types ?
Thought I would update on the outcome of this question which started the thread.
As suggested I went directly to the 3rd party insurer and after their engineer had viewed the car and estimate we agreed, after some good natured haggling, on a CIL (cash in lieu) payment.
I advertised the car and sold it with the bump in place for more or less the the price I would have secured pre bump.
Overall it worked out fairly. But only after I had taken advice, from here (Thanks Loon) and pressed home with the 3rd party.
For the record my own insurer were next to useless. Extremely slow responses (typically 4-6 days!)Very reluctant to have me use my regular bodyshop, outrageously low value on my car ( half!!!!!!!! of what the 3rd party rated it)and seemed to be keener for me to use their `legal assistance` package, who are still calling me every few days asking after my health, than to deal with my main problem. They were less than admiral, in my opinion!
Anyway, now hunting down a replacement.
Thanks to everyone for your time and input, it really helped.
As suggested I went directly to the 3rd party insurer and after their engineer had viewed the car and estimate we agreed, after some good natured haggling, on a CIL (cash in lieu) payment.
I advertised the car and sold it with the bump in place for more or less the the price I would have secured pre bump.
Overall it worked out fairly. But only after I had taken advice, from here (Thanks Loon) and pressed home with the 3rd party.
For the record my own insurer were next to useless. Extremely slow responses (typically 4-6 days!)Very reluctant to have me use my regular bodyshop, outrageously low value on my car ( half!!!!!!!! of what the 3rd party rated it)and seemed to be keener for me to use their `legal assistance` package, who are still calling me every few days asking after my health, than to deal with my main problem. They were less than admiral, in my opinion!
Anyway, now hunting down a replacement.
Thanks to everyone for your time and input, it really helped.
Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff