Car write off - what can/can't i do?
Discussion
Hello guys!
Car in question is a 2003 Mini Cooper with 79,000 miles. Very tidy condition, drives lovely.
I'm not sure of it's current value - but it won't be much. It's my wife's car and we both like it very much.
Today, my wife crashed into the back of somebody else. Bonnet and bumper damaged - not a great deal, but enough for the insurer to write it off due to repair costs, etc.
That is fair enough. I'm waiting to hear from them with a payment figure.
What do you guys think my options are at the moment? I can keep the car and repair it at a local garage - however, this may not make sense financially as the insurance premium is £600, so i will be paying this PLUS the repair costs. It may not be worth it...
The car is in good condition, and has 4 new tyres! DOH! (Can i keep the wheels at least if i decide to take the money?!)
Many thanks all!
Car in question is a 2003 Mini Cooper with 79,000 miles. Very tidy condition, drives lovely.
I'm not sure of it's current value - but it won't be much. It's my wife's car and we both like it very much.
Today, my wife crashed into the back of somebody else. Bonnet and bumper damaged - not a great deal, but enough for the insurer to write it off due to repair costs, etc.
That is fair enough. I'm waiting to hear from them with a payment figure.
What do you guys think my options are at the moment? I can keep the car and repair it at a local garage - however, this may not make sense financially as the insurance premium is £600, so i will be paying this PLUS the repair costs. It may not be worth it...
The car is in good condition, and has 4 new tyres! DOH! (Can i keep the wheels at least if i decide to take the money?!)
Many thanks all!
Thanks for your comments guys. To answer some of your questions;
1) It was written off quickly as I sent the insurers photos which their team of technical 'experts' analysed. It was straight away confirmed to me that the cost of repair would exceed the value of the car.
2) Damage - needs new bonnet and grille. Bumper seems ok, it just appears to be a little scratched. Maybe it could do with a little adjusting... I can't get the bonnet to open, so I can't comment on damage underneath - if any. However, I did drive it this morning for 8 miles and it drove brilliantly as usual! I really enjoy driving this car... I don't think the radiator or any components up front have been affected, otherwise I would have felt something on this morning's drive.
3) I don't know whether to keep it yet or not. I'm waiting to hear back from the insurers to see how much they will offer me, and how much they will sell me the car for...
I got an independant quote yesterday, and labour alone was £400! Seems a bit excessive... Apparently the bonnet has to be cut to be removed...
I will keep you all updated.
Many thanks.
1) It was written off quickly as I sent the insurers photos which their team of technical 'experts' analysed. It was straight away confirmed to me that the cost of repair would exceed the value of the car.
2) Damage - needs new bonnet and grille. Bumper seems ok, it just appears to be a little scratched. Maybe it could do with a little adjusting... I can't get the bonnet to open, so I can't comment on damage underneath - if any. However, I did drive it this morning for 8 miles and it drove brilliantly as usual! I really enjoy driving this car... I don't think the radiator or any components up front have been affected, otherwise I would have felt something on this morning's drive.
3) I don't know whether to keep it yet or not. I'm waiting to hear back from the insurers to see how much they will offer me, and how much they will sell me the car for...
I got an independant quote yesterday, and labour alone was £400! Seems a bit excessive... Apparently the bonnet has to be cut to be removed...
I will keep you all updated.
Many thanks.
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!
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!
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?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!
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
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...
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!
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!
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