My insurance company want to write my car off

[daz3210]

SMcP114 said:

I asked in the feedback section if we could have a sticky on damage classification. This is why.

Cat D does not need to be re-MOT'd, nor do you 'have' to disclose it.

Cat C does not need an engineer's report. A simple VIC test is all it needs.

It all seems rather silly that a Cat D is looked down on. Say for example I had a very old car, and knew that if I claimed it would be written off. If rather than notifying the insurer I simply repair it, it is no different to a cat D, but not recorded as such.

But as with anything I guess a line has to be drawn somewhere

[jr502]

daz3210 said:

It all seems rather silly that a Cat D is looked down on. Say for example I had a very old car, and knew that if I claimed it would be written off. If rather than notifying the insurer I simply repair it, it is no different to a cat D, but not recorded as such.

But as with anything I guess a line has to be drawn somewhere

Isn't that Cat C?

[daz3210]

jr502 said:

daz3210 said:

It all seems rather silly that a Cat D is looked down on. Say for example I had a very old car, and knew that if I claimed it would be written off. If rather than notifying the insurer I simply repair it, it is no different to a cat D, but not recorded as such.

But as with anything I guess a line has to be drawn somewhere

Isn't that Cat C?

Whichever one it is that simply says written off due to being uneconomical as opposed to having structural damage. Say a car that simply needs a new wing, such that it can simply be bolted on, but due to car value is not economically worth doing.

(And before anyone mentions mitigating losses, I mean doing this from the owners own pocket).

[jr502]

I believe that's Cat C.

[rotarymazda]

LoonR1 said:

... as a Cat A or B will not be allowed to return to the road and you will not be able to retian salvage.

Some will now post about how they did XYZ and forced ABC to happen, please take this with a pinch of salt.

I have retained salvage for two Cat B vehicles (single flood incident). Remember this is not a legal process, just a mark on the HPI Condition Alert Register.

DVLA say you can (via VIC process)

VOSA say you can (via VIC process)

HPI say you can. Email received from them: "There is no legislation to stop Category B vehicles going back on the road, so until there is a requirement in law, these vehicles will continue to be allowed to pass VIC tests and go back on the road."

Environment Agency say you can (checked against the ELV directives).

Only the insurers say you can't. This is due to the insurers following the Motor salvage code of practice.

If you let them take your car to an Authorised Treatment Facility, they will not release them (risking their license). If you keep possession, you can keep salvage.

Add as much salt as you like.

Edited by rotarymazda on Tuesday 2nd October 13:56

Edited by rotarymazda on Tuesday 2nd October 13:56

Edited by rotarymazda on Tuesday 2nd October 13:58

[rotarymazda]

duplicate

Edited by rotarymazda on Tuesday 2nd October 16:28

[rotarymazda]

duplicate

Edited by rotarymazda on Tuesday 2nd October 16:29

[CBR JGWRR]

Mr Happy said:

To be fair though, the argument of 'if you've claimed before, you're statistically more likely to claim again' is about as meaningful as saying 'if you lose your virginity, you're statistically more likely to have sex again'

Both statements are true though...

[LoonR1]

So all you've proven is that you've kept two vehicles that you'll find both difficult to insure and equally difficult to sell on unless they are some form of rare exotica / classic.

Few people want a Cat C or D let alone a Cat B.

I know it's not law as such but you really need to know what you're doing to want to keep them. If you were that determined you'd have been better off asking for a reclassification if only to keep your options open down the line.

[daz3210]

Then again I would suggest that rare exotica would be pretty unlikely to be written off purely on financial terms. With rare and exotica goes the perception of value.

And anything can be repaired, absolutely anything, its simply a case of how far you have to go, and how much it will cost. (Of course if you go too far you then start questioning whether the repaired item retains its original identity, or whether it becomes a replica.)

[Red Devil]

daz3210 said:

jr502 said:

daz3210 said:

It all seems rather silly that a Cat D is looked down on. Say for example I had a very old car, and knew that if I claimed it would be written off. If rather than notifying the insurer I simply repair it, it is no different to a cat D, but not recorded as such.

But as with anything I guess a line has to be drawn somewhere

Isn't that Cat C?

Whichever one it is that simply says written off due to being uneconomical as opposed to having structural damage. Say a car that simply needs a new wing, such that it can simply be bolted on, but due to car value is not economically worth doing.

.
http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&...

Edited by Red Devil on Tuesday 2nd October 16:06

[LoonR1]

daz3210 said:

Then again I would suggest that rare exotica would be pretty unlikely to be written off purely on financial terms. With rare and exotica goes the perception of value.

And anything can be repaired, absolutely anything, its simply a case of how far you have to go, and how much it will cost. (Of course if you go too far you then start questioning whether the repaired item retains its original identity, or whether it becomes a replica.)

Of course it would be written off. Any car after a flood will be a write off if it goes much more than a foot high. I know all damage is repairable but replacing the whole inside, wiring, potentially engine and other mechanical parts is more expensive than writing it off and getting the salvage costs back. Irrespective of value the situation will be the same as more expensive cars have more expensive interiors and parts.

[daz3210]

Red Devil said:

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&...

That is interesting to say the least.

Have I misunderstood it though. Do stolen vehicles end up on the register somehow, and then can be removed if subsequently recovered undamaged?

[LoonR1]

daz3210 said:

That is interesting to say the least.

Have I misunderstood it though. Do stolen vehicles end up on the register somehow, and then can be removed if subsequently recovered undamaged?

Cats B, X or Z are used depending on the insurers approach. Most will be reclassified but not removed if recovered. Reclassification will depend on the damage when recovered. They are subject to a total loss payout so will remain as total losses for their life even if recovered undamaged.

[djt100]

Easy Answer here is ask your insurer for " payment in lieu" against the claim, the car will not be recorded as been in a accident and the insurance will give you a set amount based on value and repair cost, but only if you get agreement form the garage that the car could be simply put back on the road but new car part prices make it beyond repair.

[daz3210]

What are classes X or Z?

Reading the document linked to if a vehicle is no longer within A,B, C, or D DVLA should be notified. So does that mean they drop into X or Z? Or are removed from the database?

[daz3210]

LoonR1 said:

daz3210 said:

Then again I would suggest that rare exotica would be pretty unlikely to be written off purely on financial terms. With rare and exotica goes the perception of value.

And anything can be repaired, absolutely anything, its simply a case of how far you have to go, and how much it will cost. (Of course if you go too far you then start questioning whether the repaired item retains its original identity, or whether it becomes a replica.)

Of course it would be written off. Any car after a flood will be a write off if it goes much more than a foot high. I know all damage is repairable but replacing the whole inside, wiring, potentially engine and other mechanical parts is more expensive than writing it off and getting the salvage costs back. Irrespective of value the situation will be the same as more expensive cars have more expensive interiors and parts.

Perhaps I am thinking of rare exotica in somewhat different terms to you then. I know blokes who have what I would describe as such, and would like to think some of the motors I have seen would never be written off. The sort of stuff where spare parts aren't available anyway, and the old guys who own them would simply retire to their workshop and make a part to fit. Some of those vehicles are pretty much one off vehicles and as such could never be replaced, and thus would be fairly difficult to value.

[mrmr96]

peterzoom said:

For the record my own insurer were next to useless.

In the case where someone else has damaged your car, if they are insured and admit liability, and (importantly) are not a PITA to deal with, then there's no reason why you needed to involve your own insurer at all.

[B4rker]

SMcP114 said:

B4rker said:

State to the insurance company that you would like to keep the vehicle even if it is written off.

What will then likely happen is the insurance company will make you an offer for the vehicle say £2,000 and then say the scrap vaule is £200. They will then deduct the £200 from the amount and give you a cheque for £1800 plus the vehicle.

If the vehicle is classed as a Cat D write off, all you will need to do is re MoT the vehicle after to satisfy the insurance company that it is road worthy and the DVLA will not have to be told although you will have to disclose it when selling the car.

If it is classed as a CAT C the vehicle will need to have an engineer's report before the insurers are likely to insure it again.

I asked in the feedback section if we could have a sticky on damage classification. This is why.

Cat D does not need to be re-MOT'd, nor do you 'have' to disclose it.

Cat C does not need an engineer's report. A simple VIC test is all it needs.

Unless you work for an insurance Broker who deals with different insurers and their weird and wonderfull ways on a day to day basis and know what happens in the real world and not on the internet

[Red Devil]

daz3210 said:

What are classes X or Z?

Reading the document linked to if a vehicle is no longer within A,B, C, or D DVLA should be notified. So does that mean they drop into X or Z? Or are removed from the database?

Never heard of Z - no doubt Loon R1 can clarify.
Layman's guide to A/B/C/D/X - http://www.carsalvagefinder.co.uk/car_salvage_cate...