Responsibility to declare CAT status. Insurer or Driver?

[eltax91]

Hi guys

Simple question really. If it all checks out as the seller describes, I'm going to buy a CAT C car on Thursday. I am getting temporary insurance for the drive home, but when it comes to taking out a full policy, is it my responsibility to declare the car has been a CAT C write off? Or should I just tell them the reg number and let them quote me? I assume their system tells them and if they have a problem with it, they will load the premium accordingly?

Car is 15 years old and will be on a classic/ limited miles policy.

[dome]

I informed my insurance of the Cat C status of a previous car of mine and it made no difference whatsoever.

[eltax91]

dome said:

I informed my insurance of the Cat C status of a previous car of mine and it made no difference whatsoever.

Hi, this I dont doubt. However, what about those that do care? Is it down to me to inform them, or them to refuse to put it on cover because their database tells them it's CAT C?

[gazchap]

eltax91 said:

Hi, this I dont doubt. However, what about those that do care? Is it down to me to inform them, or them to refuse to put it on cover because their database tells them it's CAT C?

I recently insured a Cat C. My existing insurer (with whom I was going to swap the policy from my old car) wanted to see an engineer's report before they would insure it properly.

However, Admiral haven't requested anything of the sort. I used the reg. number on the online quote, and there were no questions about whether it had been previously written-off.

[Krikkit]

gazchap said:

eltax91 said:

Hi, this I dont doubt. However, what about those that do care? Is it down to me to inform them, or them to refuse to put it on cover because their database tells them it's CAT C?

I recently insured a Cat C. My existing insurer (with whom I was going to swap the policy from my old car) wanted to see an engineer's report before they would insure it properly.

However, Admiral haven't requested anything of the sort. I used the reg. number on the online quote, and there were no questions about whether it had been previously written-off.

Was it actually an engineer's report testifying that it was repaired properly, or the VIC certificate saying it was the right car and not a ringer?

[ZOLLAR]

eltax91 said:

Hi guys

Simple question really. If it all checks out as the seller describes, I'm going to buy a CAT C car on Thursday. I am getting temporary insurance for the drive home, but when it comes to taking out a full policy, is it my responsibility to declare the car has been a CAT C write off? Or should I just tell them the reg number and let them quote me? I assume their system tells them and if they have a problem with it, they will load the premium accordingly?

Car is 15 years old and will be on a classic/ limited miles policy.

Not just with insurance but in life, never assume.

No harm in asking the insurer if they need to know, as far as I'm aware insurers don't run checks on a vehicles history just for a quote the increased costs aren't justifiable

[mrmr96]

eltax91 said:

dome said:

I informed my insurance of the Cat C status of a previous car of mine and it made no difference whatsoever.

Hi, this I dont doubt. However, what about those that do care? Is it down to me to inform them, or them to refuse to put it on cover because their database tells them it's CAT C?

Do you want cover to be legal or to pay out? If the former then you may get away with not telling them, so long as you don't crash. If the letter you're better to tell them really, else they'll be awkward at payout time.

I'd say that it counts as a material fact, so you should tell them even if they don't ask.

[Henry Fiddleton]

You can not re-tax a car that has a VIC Check on it.

A CAT C/D will need a VOSA check, which deems the car legal and as is.

Then the MOT comes, and then road tax.

The car is fully legal after all of that, as per any non-CAT C/D, except it is HPI recorded...

IIRC

[eltax91]

Henry Fiddleton said:

You can not re-tax a car that has a VIC Check on it.

A CAT C/D will need a VOSA check, which deems the car legal and as is.

Then the MOT comes, and then road tax.

The car is fully legal after all of that, as per any non-CAT C/D, except it is HPI recorded...

IIRC

From the research I have done, not quite. The car in question (a £500 MX5 from another thread!) has a valid MOT still, not TAX. It has a VIC marker (I checked online). From what I understand, I need to:-

• Get some insurance
• Purchase tax (they do permit this, you just dont get a REMINDER it's due, nor do you receive a v5 until VIC is passed)
• Drive it!
• Apply for VIC appointment at my leisure
• MOT the car when it's due

To my understanding, you are NEVER forced to have the check done (although I intend to), just simply have to remember yourself when the rent is due.

[Remagel2507]

Had quite a few CAT C cars that had a VIC marker against them and the VIC check needed to be carried out before they would send us a logbook so that it could be taxed. Not sure if it will apply differently to you as the cars in question were purchased damaged, direct from the insurance company.

[eltax91]

Remagel2507 said:

Had quite a few CAT C cars that had a VIC marker against them and the VIC check needed to be carried out before they would send us a logbook so that it could be taxed. Not sure if it will apply differently to you as the cars in question were purchased damaged, direct from the insurance company.

Interesting, so I have to drive it unlicensed before I get it VIC checked. That'll take some explaining if I get stopped.

The last time I taxed a car at the post office, they required me to have insurance certificate and MOT certificate. I've never had to present a V5. In fact, I am sat in front of a renewal reminder for my other car right now, it says....

To tax at the post office branch, you will need:-

• This renewal reminder
• A certificate of insurance
• An MOT certificate
• Money

So, are we saying with the lack of a V11 (renewal reminder) or V5 registration doc, I might not be able to tax it. :rubschin:

For me not a problem per-se, but it seems difficult to expect you to drive to a VIC test, but not being road legal (tax'd) to do so? Unless you get the same exception as you do for driving to a pre-booked MOT?

[gazchap]

Krikkit said:

Was it actually an engineer's report testifying that it was repaired properly, or the VIC certificate saying it was the right car and not a ringer?

The former, as I understand it. They said I could get one of these "from any garage", but I asked around a few locally and they said they couldn't do them and that I'd have to get a full RAC inspection or similar done on it.

The car was written off in 2010 (every panel keyed, but just cosmetic damage) and has had a couple of MOTs since, and passed a VIC.

I guess Admiral haven't required one (or even asked if it's been written off) because it's passed MOTs since so is therefore roadworthy (which is presumably good enough for them.)

[xRIEx]

eltax91 said:

For me not a problem per-se, but it seems difficult to expect you to drive to a VIC test, but not being road legal (tax'd) to do so? Unless you get the same exception as you do for driving to a pre-booked MOT?

Yes, same exception as for an MOT. Also applies to unregistered cars (e.g. kit cars) being driven to an IVA.

On the insurance subject, I believe the requirements have now changed to state you have to answer what they ask you (without misrepresenting); if they don't ask the question, you don't have to volunteer the information, the onus is now on the insurer/broker.