Insurance claim

[PurpleMoonlight]

A colleague was involved in an accident today, she was not at fault and is uninjured, but she fears her car will be considered uneconomic to repair. She has an Audi A3 quartro. The other party is insured.

If their insurers do deem it uneconomic to repair, will she be offered the cost necessary to purchase a similar car from an Audi dealer (ie to return her to the position she was before the accident), or what would have been the part exchange value of her car?

If the latter, the trouble is she does not have the money to bridge the gap. Can she sue the driver personally for the difference?

[FraserLFA]

I believe she'll get it's current market value.

[catman]

In my experience, it's unusual to be offered the correct amount to start with.

Be prepared for some arguments before she gets the right amount!

Tim

[Monty Python]

Normally you get market value, which is usually less than the cost of an exact replacement from a dealer. This is so they can sell you "gap insurance" (if it's on finance)

http://www.ala.co.uk/gap-insurance-what-is-it.html

Best thing to do is start looking for similar cars at dealers so you can provide them as "evidence" as to how much it will really cost to get a car the same as you had. If it's clear that there is no fault on your side, it'll probably be easier.

Edited by Monty Python on Friday 20th May 18:34

[Noger]

That isn't what GAP insurance is.

Yes, "market price". Retail price from a reputable dealer. Not sticker price, they will always negotiate, so should you.

Check parkers etc for Retail.

[PurpleMoonlight]

That's great, ta.

[insurance_jon]

The insurers have an obligation to put her into the position she was in before the claim, so if she can't replace the vehicle for a very similar one for what they are offerin, she needs to negotiate with them.

Her insurers/legal insurance should be doing this for her.