Stolen Cat = Write Off. Protected NCD?
Discussion
Hi,
My retired mother has a 2001 Civic Coupe. She's owned it from virtually new. It's mint and has only covered 60K. She went away for a couple of days and returned to find that the cat had been stolen. It's insured for "£1,500-2,000" (search on Ebay suggests nearer £2k). She reported it to the Police. On reporting it to her insurer they told her it's a write-off, and that their auctioneer will pick it up in next 3 days (auctioneer hasn't called yet and allocated a collection reference).
She doesn't have an appetite to take it to an aftermarket repair shop to get a non-standard CAT fitted (I have tried), and seems resigned to getting a new car (shame, as she only does 1,000 miles a year since moving, and Civic is in great condition).
The way it looks now, she would've been better off not reporting it to anyone. I could've taken it for an aftermarket cat, she'd be down by £450 (quotes from 2 aftermarket cat specialists), but her excess is £400 anyway... Even if we tell insurer we'll pay to fix it ourselves now, she has an incident recorded on her file and next premium will rocket. Obviously, her premium will go through the roof come renewal time.
My question is: in the event of a full write-off, does NCD protection still apply, as it would do in a normal claim? Wil she keep her NCD (for all the good it'll do)? Have you had a full WO? What happened to your NCD?
Thanks in advance.
My retired mother has a 2001 Civic Coupe. She's owned it from virtually new. It's mint and has only covered 60K. She went away for a couple of days and returned to find that the cat had been stolen. It's insured for "£1,500-2,000" (search on Ebay suggests nearer £2k). She reported it to the Police. On reporting it to her insurer they told her it's a write-off, and that their auctioneer will pick it up in next 3 days (auctioneer hasn't called yet and allocated a collection reference).
She doesn't have an appetite to take it to an aftermarket repair shop to get a non-standard CAT fitted (I have tried), and seems resigned to getting a new car (shame, as she only does 1,000 miles a year since moving, and Civic is in great condition).
The way it looks now, she would've been better off not reporting it to anyone. I could've taken it for an aftermarket cat, she'd be down by £450 (quotes from 2 aftermarket cat specialists), but her excess is £400 anyway... Even if we tell insurer we'll pay to fix it ourselves now, she has an incident recorded on her file and next premium will rocket. Obviously, her premium will go through the roof come renewal time.
My question is: in the event of a full write-off, does NCD protection still apply, as it would do in a normal claim? Wil she keep her NCD (for all the good it'll do)? Have you had a full WO? What happened to your NCD?
Thanks in advance.
Thanks.
I spoke with 2 different people at insurer:
1st one said I had a cooling off period where I could cancel the claim. He also said I could take photos of the car and agree a price, before auctioneer takes car away
2nd one told me that the car was now written down as a write-off and there was nothing I could do (I got told this as I called and asked about the specifics on the protected NCD - of course, this person couldn't answer and told me they are the underwriter, and I'd have to ask broker about this...)
My mother seems resigned to it being written off. I think the best policy is for her to wait until I can get over. Aftermarket cat shop (highly recommended) is on her doorstep. She was mugged 4 weeks ago and seems really shaken up by all the crimimal activity going on. She does so little driving, the Civic is ideal. I'm now faced with minimising stress to her, but not letting the insurance firm rip her off. It boggles my mind to see just how mercenary they are.
I spoke with 2 different people at insurer:
1st one said I had a cooling off period where I could cancel the claim. He also said I could take photos of the car and agree a price, before auctioneer takes car away
2nd one told me that the car was now written down as a write-off and there was nothing I could do (I got told this as I called and asked about the specifics on the protected NCD - of course, this person couldn't answer and told me they are the underwriter, and I'd have to ask broker about this...)
My mother seems resigned to it being written off. I think the best policy is for her to wait until I can get over. Aftermarket cat shop (highly recommended) is on her doorstep. She was mugged 4 weeks ago and seems really shaken up by all the crimimal activity going on. She does so little driving, the Civic is ideal. I'm now faced with minimising stress to her, but not letting the insurance firm rip her off. It boggles my mind to see just how mercenary they are.
Thank you, Kestral.
Shall I call the insurance firm and just say that she wants to keep the car?
In truth, the Civic Coupe is larger than she really wants now... I get impression she's got her eye on an Aygo. Seeing as she's had such a rough few weeks, I just want to shield her from further stress. She seems sanguine over the phone (I am 2-hr drive from her), but I know she's a bit shaken.
Shall I call the insurance firm and just say that she wants to keep the car?
In truth, the Civic Coupe is larger than she really wants now... I get impression she's got her eye on an Aygo. Seeing as she's had such a rough few weeks, I just want to shield her from further stress. She seems sanguine over the phone (I am 2-hr drive from her), but I know she's a bit shaken.
flat16 said:
Thanks.
I spoke with 2 different people at insurer:
1st one said I had a cooling off period where I could cancel the claim. He also said I could take photos of the car and agree a price, before auctioneer takes car away
2nd one told me that the car was now written down as a write-off and there was nothing I could do (I got told this as I called and asked about the specifics on the protected NCD - of course, this person couldn't answer and told me they are the underwriter, and I'd have to ask broker about this...)
My mother seems resigned to it being written off. I think the best policy is for her to wait until I can get over. Aftermarket cat shop (highly recommended) is on her doorstep. She was mugged 4 weeks ago and seems really shaken up by all the crimimal activity going on. She does so little driving, the Civic is ideal. I'm now faced with minimising stress to her, but not letting the insurance firm rip her off. It boggles my mind to see just how mercenary they are.
It seems like you are being told complete tosh.I spoke with 2 different people at insurer:
1st one said I had a cooling off period where I could cancel the claim. He also said I could take photos of the car and agree a price, before auctioneer takes car away
2nd one told me that the car was now written down as a write-off and there was nothing I could do (I got told this as I called and asked about the specifics on the protected NCD - of course, this person couldn't answer and told me they are the underwriter, and I'd have to ask broker about this...)
My mother seems resigned to it being written off. I think the best policy is for her to wait until I can get over. Aftermarket cat shop (highly recommended) is on her doorstep. She was mugged 4 weeks ago and seems really shaken up by all the crimimal activity going on. She does so little driving, the Civic is ideal. I'm now faced with minimising stress to her, but not letting the insurance firm rip her off. It boggles my mind to see just how mercenary they are.
Wait for the guy on here who deals with insurance (The wonder kid or something) he is well up on all this.
I know the vehicle belongs to your mum and it's up to here what happens to it, the only issue is the policy conditions in the event of total loss.
flat16 said:
Thank you, Kestral.
Shall I call the insurance firm and just say that she wants to keep the car?
In truth, the Civic Coupe is larger than she really wants now... I get impression she's got her eye on an Aygo. Seeing as she's had such a rough few weeks, I just want to shield her from further stress. She seems sanguine over the phone (I am 2-hr drive from her), but I know she's a bit shaken.
If you wnat to keep the car you normally have to tell them (ask if you can keep it, see what the policy documents say). They like to get salvaged vehicles out of the system and most people don't want them anyway for many different reasons.Shall I call the insurance firm and just say that she wants to keep the car?
In truth, the Civic Coupe is larger than she really wants now... I get impression she's got her eye on an Aygo. Seeing as she's had such a rough few weeks, I just want to shield her from further stress. She seems sanguine over the phone (I am 2-hr drive from her), but I know she's a bit shaken.
My advice is based financial based, not convenience based. With older people do what they want forget the money angle. It's a low amount in any event.
On the NCD issue. Again see what the policy says or just ask the insurer.
Same thing happened with my sons old AWD Vovo. He contacted the Insurance company and the cost of new part would write off the the car. He said thanks but no thanks, didnt claim. We bodged a straight pipe repair to get it on the road and he sold it as was. Its the OP's mothers car - not the Insurance companies - its her choice how she wishes to proceed
If you want to keep the car, don't let them take it away. All companies act the same way - they may well be pressurizing you to let them have the car as demand for cars is very high right now and they can get good money for it. Someone can probably repair it and sell it for a relatively high price.
Bear in mind, now is really not a good time to be looking for a replacement car as supply is constrained, demand is up and prices are high.
Don't accept their first payout offer either.
Bear in mind, now is really not a good time to be looking for a replacement car as supply is constrained, demand is up and prices are high.
Don't accept their first payout offer either.
Thank you!
Ideally, I want to keep hold of the car until I know the insurer will pay a fair price. I cannot believe that it's legal for them to take the 'goods' so-to-speak, and then tell you what it's worth. Where else would you see that?
Is there a way of hanging onto it until I know they will give a fair price? Has anyone here negotiated the price before they've taken it away? And what if they offer one price, then say it's not in the condition they thought and offer lower (have read they will do that).
I'd like to go down to her tomorrow, and take the car to the cat specialist for a quote, before the auctioneer gets hands on it.
I spoke with my usual mechanic, and he said that one issue is that, if we do get the cat replaced, the toerag who stole the cat will come back for the new one...
Ideally, I want to keep hold of the car until I know the insurer will pay a fair price. I cannot believe that it's legal for them to take the 'goods' so-to-speak, and then tell you what it's worth. Where else would you see that?
Is there a way of hanging onto it until I know they will give a fair price? Has anyone here negotiated the price before they've taken it away? And what if they offer one price, then say it's not in the condition they thought and offer lower (have read they will do that).
I'd like to go down to her tomorrow, and take the car to the cat specialist for a quote, before the auctioneer gets hands on it.
I spoke with my usual mechanic, and he said that one issue is that, if we do get the cat replaced, the toerag who stole the cat will come back for the new one...
flat16 said:
Thank you!
Ideally, I want to keep hold of the car until I know the insurer will pay a fair price. I cannot believe that it's legal for them to take the 'goods' so-to-speak, and then tell you what it's worth. Where else would you see that?
Is there a way of hanging onto it until I know they will give a fair price? Has anyone here negotiated the price before they've taken it away? And what if they offer one price, then say it's not in the condition they thought and offer lower (have read they will do that).
I'd like to go down to her tomorrow, and take the car to the cat specialist for a quote, before the auctioneer gets hands on it.
I spoke with my usual mechanic, and he said that one issue is that, if we do get the cat replaced, the toerag who stole the cat will come back for the new one...
It’s unlikely they would come back for the new one as it won’t be worth nearly as much as the original one. It’s only the OE cats that they want as they are worth significantly more.Ideally, I want to keep hold of the car until I know the insurer will pay a fair price. I cannot believe that it's legal for them to take the 'goods' so-to-speak, and then tell you what it's worth. Where else would you see that?
Is there a way of hanging onto it until I know they will give a fair price? Has anyone here negotiated the price before they've taken it away? And what if they offer one price, then say it's not in the condition they thought and offer lower (have read they will do that).
I'd like to go down to her tomorrow, and take the car to the cat specialist for a quote, before the auctioneer gets hands on it.
I spoke with my usual mechanic, and he said that one issue is that, if we do get the cat replaced, the toerag who stole the cat will come back for the new one...
If they have marked it down as a write off, does that mean the insurance is null-and-void? I have spoken to 2 firms who say they can replace cat - one at £450 (other side of London) and one *starting* at £550 (on her doorstep). But someone will have to take it to / from the repairer.
NB - she told the Police before she spoke to me. She then called insurance, as she had to if the Police know. They then told her it's a write off. This is where we are at. Nothing's been signed - all has been verbal over phone.
Thanks
edit = repairer on her doorstep said he'd book in an appointment, so if she gets tugged driving it there (under a mile), Police can phone him for confirmation that it's going to a repair shop.
NB - she told the Police before she spoke to me. She then called insurance, as she had to if the Police know. They then told her it's a write off. This is where we are at. Nothing's been signed - all has been verbal over phone.
Thanks
edit = repairer on her doorstep said he'd book in an appointment, so if she gets tugged driving it there (under a mile), Police can phone him for confirmation that it's going to a repair shop.
Bigends said:
Same thing happened with my sons old AWD Vovo. He contacted the Insurance company and the cost of new part would write off the the car. He said thanks but no thanks, didnt claim. We bodged a straight pipe repair to get it on the road and he sold it as was. Its the OP's mothers car - not the Insurance companies - its her choice how she wishes to proceed
I hope that you told the buyer you'd bodged a repair? Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff