Post Accident, push insurance to write off car
Discussion
Evening all! I have to admit I've done a bit of searching on this subject however cannot find anything relevant! I'm a complete amateur when it comes to this, never previously had to deal with insurance companies etc.
Bit of background.. Christmas Eve I was at a give way pinch point and a young chap plows into the back of me, looked very sheepish and no sign of braking so suspect on his phone.
His car is valued approx £1k and 100% write off with airbags going off, windscreen smashed, front end all caved in etc. My car is valued approx 12k, it's my "pride and joy" always kept spotless etc and was immaculate pre accident. Going via his insurance and been to a couple of bodyshops quotes are £6-7k roughly for all body repairs as well as a whole new exhaust system as that has been squashed like a pancake, also chassis damage where it's been pushed.
My concern is that there is further damage, when driving after the accident there are engine warning lights on (been diagnosed due to cat damage) and also a vibration through the gear stick which does not feel normal! -ive owned the car 3 years so know how it should feel! However both garages I've been to have dismissed any of the further damage and only been interested in bodywork/exhaust.
I'm in a position where I was left without a car over Christmas for a week (finally got a courtesy car just prior to new year). I've been more than fair not being the type to put in an injury claim etc literally just wanting to be put back to the position I was prior to accident however insurance co seem to want to use the cheapest bodyshop possible etc.
They aren't keen to write the car off however I'm concerned bodyshop will repair the bodywork and exhaust but it will never quite be the same and it'll be in and out of garages hunting for other issues! Not only this but come re-sale time where it is a sports car if the possible buyer sticks their head underneath they will see its had chassis work has been done and again leaving me disadvantaged!
Is there a route to push the insurance company to write the car off? I feel the only way to be put back in the same position is to write it off so I can go buy another straight example!
Looking forward to everyones input/thoughts! Apologies for the long post.
Bit of background.. Christmas Eve I was at a give way pinch point and a young chap plows into the back of me, looked very sheepish and no sign of braking so suspect on his phone.
His car is valued approx £1k and 100% write off with airbags going off, windscreen smashed, front end all caved in etc. My car is valued approx 12k, it's my "pride and joy" always kept spotless etc and was immaculate pre accident. Going via his insurance and been to a couple of bodyshops quotes are £6-7k roughly for all body repairs as well as a whole new exhaust system as that has been squashed like a pancake, also chassis damage where it's been pushed.
My concern is that there is further damage, when driving after the accident there are engine warning lights on (been diagnosed due to cat damage) and also a vibration through the gear stick which does not feel normal! -ive owned the car 3 years so know how it should feel! However both garages I've been to have dismissed any of the further damage and only been interested in bodywork/exhaust.
I'm in a position where I was left without a car over Christmas for a week (finally got a courtesy car just prior to new year). I've been more than fair not being the type to put in an injury claim etc literally just wanting to be put back to the position I was prior to accident however insurance co seem to want to use the cheapest bodyshop possible etc.
They aren't keen to write the car off however I'm concerned bodyshop will repair the bodywork and exhaust but it will never quite be the same and it'll be in and out of garages hunting for other issues! Not only this but come re-sale time where it is a sports car if the possible buyer sticks their head underneath they will see its had chassis work has been done and again leaving me disadvantaged!
Is there a route to push the insurance company to write the car off? I feel the only way to be put back in the same position is to write it off so I can go buy another straight example!
Looking forward to everyones input/thoughts! Apologies for the long post.
josh2005 said:
Is there a route to push the insurance company to write the car off?
No, it's a simple financial equation. £6-7k on a £12k car is unlikely to write it off, unless the salvage value would be substantial. What is it, and how bad's the structural damage? It's entirely possible the vibration is simply from the exhaust being bent into the body rather than hanging properly.Whether the repairer do a good job or not is a completely separate issue. You can't ask the insurer to assume they'll be incompetent. If you want to select the repairer yourself, then push the insurer to let you - and pick one you think are competent.
12k is probably a bit over-valued to be fair.
It's a Nissan 370z. Standard chassis damage from a heavy rear end shunt.
I appreciate it's better for them to pay the repairs, the 6-7k is based on nothing else found whilst they are fixing it, I always thought they wrote off at 50% for some reason.
It's a Nissan 370z. Standard chassis damage from a heavy rear end shunt.
I appreciate it's better for them to pay the repairs, the 6-7k is based on nothing else found whilst they are fixing it, I always thought they wrote off at 50% for some reason.
josh2005 said:
12k is probably a bit over-valued to be fair.
It's a Nissan 370z. Standard chassis damage from a heavy rear end shunt.
I appreciate it's better for them to pay the repairs, the 6-7k is based on nothing else found whilst they are fixing it, I always thought they wrote off at 50% for some reason.
It varies from insurer to insurer.It's a Nissan 370z. Standard chassis damage from a heavy rear end shunt.
I appreciate it's better for them to pay the repairs, the 6-7k is based on nothing else found whilst they are fixing it, I always thought they wrote off at 50% for some reason.
If cost to repair is over 60% of the vehicle value it will probably be classed as uneconomical to repair.
It is your prerogative to choose to have your car repaired by a Nissan main dealer if you prefer, this will probably tip it over the edge. The Nissan dealer would likely farm out the work to a bodyshop anyway but they will likely come in more pricey than your insurance company's preferred repairer.
HustleRussell said:
It is your prerogative to choose to have your car repaired by a Nissan main dealer if you prefer, this will probably tip it over the edge. The Nissan dealer would likely farm out the work to a bodyshop anyway but they will likely come in more pricey than your insurance company's preferred repairer.
This was my thinking, however local Nissan dealer don't have a bodyshop and unfortunately not heard great things about the one which they like to use.josh2005 said:
HustleRussell said:
It is your prerogative to choose to have your car repaired by a Nissan main dealer if you prefer, this will probably tip it over the edge. The Nissan dealer would likely farm out the work to a bodyshop anyway but they will likely come in more pricey than your insurance company's preferred repairer.
This was my thinking, however local Nissan dealer don't have a bodyshop and unfortunately not heard great things about the one which they like to use.For what it's worth my Dad's business is insurance bodywork repair so I understand the ins and outs to a degree and although many insurance repair shops turn out good work I understand your preference to push this one over the edge as it is marginal and your concerns are valid.
Beware that if you manage to convince the insurers to write the car off your next bun fight will be the value of the settlement. They will almost certainly lowball you and might withdraw the courtesy car after a fixed period in order to twist your arm into accepting rather than challenging.
AW10 said:
Beware that if you manage to convince the insurers to write the car off your next bun fight will be the value of the settlement. They will almost certainly lowball you and might withdraw the courtesy car after a fixed period in order to twist your arm into accepting rather than challenging.
The above poster has hit the nail on the head here. It might be better to get it repaired and then *if* there is a problem deal with that.Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff