Insurance- Public Liability Motor Damage
Discussion
On Friday the builders repairing next door's chimney managed to land it on my OH's snotter 3 Series (she will probably kill me for calling it 'snotter'). It's old with just over 100k on the clock, and as such isn't worth very much, probably creeping into 4 figures.
To make matter worse, we had spent considerable sums on it (more than it's worth) over the past year or so, keeping it tip-top condition.
The builders accepted full liability and the insurers have agreed to pay for the hire car we had to get. There's an assessor coming out on Wednesday, at which time I'm almost certain it's going to be deemed less valuable than the cost of the required repair.
I'm assuming the insurer is only liable for the market value of the car and I have no right to ask for it to be repaired if the cost of that repair exceeds that market value?
Please note- this is not a typical motor accident, as the claim is being classed as a public liability claim rather than a motor one, though I'm not entirely sure what the practical difference would be?
To make matter worse, we had spent considerable sums on it (more than it's worth) over the past year or so, keeping it tip-top condition.
The builders accepted full liability and the insurers have agreed to pay for the hire car we had to get. There's an assessor coming out on Wednesday, at which time I'm almost certain it's going to be deemed less valuable than the cost of the required repair.
I'm assuming the insurer is only liable for the market value of the car and I have no right to ask for it to be repaired if the cost of that repair exceeds that market value?
Please note- this is not a typical motor accident, as the claim is being classed as a public liability claim rather than a motor one, though I'm not entirely sure what the practical difference would be?
You are entitled to be put back into the (financial) position you were pre loss, so in this case the market value of a vehicle in similar condition & of similar age/mileage etc. Obviously it wouldn't be repaired if it's going to cost more to fix your one than it would to just buy another car of equal condition prior to the accident 
PL insurance is basically the same as RTA cover, it picks up loss, injury &/or damage to third parties and their property but is non compulsory.
If you have spent a decent amount on it recently, then it's worth pointing that out to the loss assessor when they visit. I'd also have a browse of the classifieds etc and look at car's you would consider to be in a similar condition yours' was (e.g. ones with good service history/evidence of maintenance).
How bad is the damage ? If its caved the roof in it probably is a write off but if its just a screen/bonnet etc it might not be
PL insurance is basically the same as RTA cover, it picks up loss, injury &/or damage to third parties and their property but is non compulsory.
If you have spent a decent amount on it recently, then it's worth pointing that out to the loss assessor when they visit. I'd also have a browse of the classifieds etc and look at car's you would consider to be in a similar condition yours' was (e.g. ones with good service history/evidence of maintenance).
How bad is the damage ? If its caved the roof in it probably is a write off but if its just a screen/bonnet etc it might not be
Edited by Jimmyarm on Monday 24th March 10:27
Edited by Jimmyarm on Monday 24th March 10:31
Someone I know spent a considerable ammount on engine and turbo work on their car before it was stolen and never recovered, and pointed out the work to the assessor and was given a better price than would be expected because of it. So there's nothing to lose if you've spent a bit already and have the invoices to prove it.
KingNothing said:
Someone I know spent a considerable ammount on engine and turbo work on their car before it was stolen and never recovered, and pointed out the work to the assessor and was given a better price than would be expected because of it. So there's nothing to lose if you've spent a bit already and have the invoices to prove it.
Similar happened to me when my car was written off. Sent copies of all the invoices and got the original (somewhat derisory) offer uplifted by 40%. I had to have a polite but robust discussion with the assessor to get it processed though.Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff