Hit from behind - car likely to be written off
Discussion
I was hit from behind last night on the M25 while I was stationary. The impact was absorbed by the bumper, but there is a break on the inside of the bumper, some of the brackets are broken causing it to hang funny and the chrome strip on top of the bumper is ruined.
Due to the hassle of any repair that I would organise,(and the risible offer from the gentleman that hit me of £60) my first intention is to use insurance, but it's a 96 x300 with >160k miles on the clock and will have little book value. The cost of getting a new bumper, chriome strip, painting / fitting wtc is likely to be >£1k and therefore, with a courtesy car to use while it's getting fixed, is likely to render the car uneconomical to repair.
My question is this: given I will be claiming off the other person's insurance, does this still apply, or can I choose to get it repaired? (Expecting this to be a yes).
If so, what would the likely steps be if the insurers assess it as uneconomical to repair? I don't want to get rid of the car as I adore it and getting a car in similar condition for what settlement is likely is going be a massive ball ache. I basically want the car fixed to my satisfaction (it was not my fault) and then to keep driving it for as long as it goes.
Due to the hassle of any repair that I would organise,(and the risible offer from the gentleman that hit me of £60) my first intention is to use insurance, but it's a 96 x300 with >160k miles on the clock and will have little book value. The cost of getting a new bumper, chriome strip, painting / fitting wtc is likely to be >£1k and therefore, with a courtesy car to use while it's getting fixed, is likely to render the car uneconomical to repair.
My question is this: given I will be claiming off the other person's insurance, does this still apply, or can I choose to get it repaired? (Expecting this to be a yes).
If so, what would the likely steps be if the insurers assess it as uneconomical to repair? I don't want to get rid of the car as I adore it and getting a car in similar condition for what settlement is likely is going be a massive ball ache. I basically want the car fixed to my satisfaction (it was not my fault) and then to keep driving it for as long as it goes.
Edited by 8Ace on Wednesday 28th August 09:11
Let them cost a repair, they will likely write it off as you say.
You would then request a settlement where you retain salvage or a 'cash in lieu' settlement.
Europa have got me the latter twice in the past few years - I got a quote from the main dealer - they gave me the cash to pay it
You would then request a settlement where you retain salvage or a 'cash in lieu' settlement.
Europa have got me the latter twice in the past few years - I got a quote from the main dealer - they gave me the cash to pay it
Thanks both. Europa - that's the accident management company run by a PHer, right? Trustworthy if so one would hope.
The settlement issue sounds likely - I'll get on the blower to my local Jag dealer and ask for a quote for all the bits including fitting etc. This can be used to engage with the insurer as a value.
Is the calculation something like: Cost of repair = £1.5k. Value of car = £1k, therefore uneconomical.
Settlement = insurance co gives me £1k (and the car back? or would it be say £700, ie: 1k net of 300 me buying it back). I then choose to repair myself.
The only other issue is that I don't think I'm covered for a courtesy car in the event of write off, so this may muddy things a bit.
The settlement issue sounds likely - I'll get on the blower to my local Jag dealer and ask for a quote for all the bits including fitting etc. This can be used to engage with the insurer as a value.
Is the calculation something like: Cost of repair = £1.5k. Value of car = £1k, therefore uneconomical.
Settlement = insurance co gives me £1k (and the car back? or would it be say £700, ie: 1k net of 300 me buying it back). I then choose to repair myself.
The only other issue is that I don't think I'm covered for a courtesy car in the event of write off, so this may muddy things a bit.
8Ace said:
Thanks both. Europa - that's the accident management company run by a PHer, right? Trustworthy if so one would hope.
The settlement issue sounds likely - I'll get on the blower to my local Jag dealer and ask for a quote for all the bits including fitting etc. This can be used to engage with the insurer as a value.
Is the calculation something like: Cost of repair = £1.5k. Value of car = £1k, therefore uneconomical.
Settlement = insurance co gives me £1k (and the car back? or would it be say £700, ie: 1k net of 300 me buying it back). I then choose to repair myself.
The only other issue is that I don't think I'm covered for a courtesy car in the event of write off, so this may muddy things a bit.
Europa is yes, re. the courtesy car as it is a non-fault claim you are entitled to one if the car is un-driveable. However, if it is currently driveable you will be expected to do so. Also if you do get a cash settlement/retained salvage you will not be entitled to one then as the claim will be effectively closed.The settlement issue sounds likely - I'll get on the blower to my local Jag dealer and ask for a quote for all the bits including fitting etc. This can be used to engage with the insurer as a value.
Is the calculation something like: Cost of repair = £1.5k. Value of car = £1k, therefore uneconomical.
Settlement = insurance co gives me £1k (and the car back? or would it be say £700, ie: 1k net of 300 me buying it back). I then choose to repair myself.
The only other issue is that I don't think I'm covered for a courtesy car in the event of write off, so this may muddy things a bit.
If all still works and it's cosmetic damage is there any merit in just running it with a damaged bumper and selling it for less when you come to and pocketing the change? (providing it is safe and would pass a MOT in it's current state)
8Ace said:
Thanks both. Europa - that's the accident management company run by a PHer, right? Trustworthy if so one would hope.
The settlement issue sounds likely - I'll get on the blower to my local Jag dealer and ask for a quote for all the bits including fitting etc. This can be used to engage with the insurer as a value.
Is the calculation something like: Cost of repair = £1.5k. Value of car = £1k, therefore uneconomical.
Settlement = insurance co gives me £1k (and the car back? or would it be say £700, ie: 1k net of 300 me buying it back). I then choose to repair myself.
The only other issue is that I don't think I'm covered for a courtesy car in the event of write off, so this may muddy things a bit.
why not also look at used part prices for a quote - that way your car MAY not be written off?The settlement issue sounds likely - I'll get on the blower to my local Jag dealer and ask for a quote for all the bits including fitting etc. This can be used to engage with the insurer as a value.
Is the calculation something like: Cost of repair = £1.5k. Value of car = £1k, therefore uneconomical.
Settlement = insurance co gives me £1k (and the car back? or would it be say £700, ie: 1k net of 300 me buying it back). I then choose to repair myself.
The only other issue is that I don't think I'm covered for a courtesy car in the event of write off, so this may muddy things a bit.
8Ace said:
Thanks.
Can I ask what a settlement would involve please? how does this work and will it leave me without a car for a bit?
I am not an insurer or claims handler but in my case:Can I ask what a settlement would involve please? how does this work and will it leave me without a car for a bit?
I got a quote from BMW
I sent the quote to my AMC (Europa)
They established liability with 3rd parties insurer
The third party paid the invoice amount (less VAT) to the AMC
The AMC forwarded me the cheque
In my situation:
No.1 - Car's value - £16.5k - Repair costs (inc. VAT) - c.£7,000 (cheque to pay was sent to me whilst repairs were being undertaken)
No.2 - Car's value - £16k - Repair costs (Inc VAT) - c.£3,250 (they just paid me the cash and I arranged my own repair)
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