Written off but keep the car?

[Z4MCSL]

How does this work?

My z4 coupe has been written off.. I am currently disputing valuation

Then I started wondering what the options would be to keep the car and turn it into a track car?

[Sebring440]

You've been here long enough. Do a quick search. There are literally dozens of threads on this topic.

[littleredrooster]

I’ve done it. You just need to ask for the car as part of the settlement, you don’t buy it back as such.

[parabolica]

Have they ruled it a Cat S or a Cat N? My Z4 was classed a Cat N due to age when someone side swiped me; only damage was to the rear left wheel arch which is a bolt on/off piece, and Cat Ns don't need to be inspected to go back on the road. I was given the option of a slightly reduced pay out and I could keep the car to fix myself, which I did. Got a second-hand arch panel from a breaker, local guy to paint it - for around £500 I had a fixed car looking as good as it was previously.

Of course it's now a Cat N recorded car but I'll be keeping it until it's in the ground so no biggy for me. Luckily there was no impact on insurance either which I was pleasantly surprised about.

[boyse7en]

parabolica said:

Have they ruled it a Cat S or a Cat N? My Z4 was classed a Cat N due to age when someone side swiped me; only damage was to the rear left wheel arch which is a bolt on/off piece, and Cat Ns don't need to be inspected to go back on the road. I was given the option of a slightly reduced pay out and I could keep the car to fix myself, which I did. Got a second-hand arch panel from a breaker, local guy to paint it - for around £500 I had a fixed car looking as good as it was previously.

Of course it's now a Cat N recorded car but I'll be keeping it until it's in the ground so no biggy for me. Luckily there was no impact on insurance either which I was pleasantly surprised about.

Similar here.
My Saab had a front end knock which broke headlamp, wing and front panel. I asked to have the car back after it was written off and they reduced the payout by £400 and let me keep it. £150 for all the bits from a scrap yard (in the right colour) and an afternoon of bolting it on and car was good as new (well, good as it was before the van clonked into it).

When you get notification that the car is being written off, you just need to email/write to the insurance firm asking to keep it. I don't know of any that have refused.