1 series write-off

[TotalLoss1]

Hi, not a usual forum member here so hope this is ok. Posting here for some assistance. My partner had a ding in our 1 series last night. Insurer is saying it'd be a write-off without even seeing pictures or making an in-person assessment on the basis air bags were deployed.

Apologies, not really a car guy therefore hoping for an opinion. I think most likely that it is uneconomical to repair but thought it odd that they said that without even seeing pictures of the damage?? They said because the air bag was deployed and I'd mentioned the axel is probably misaligned / potential damage to the chassis that it'd definitely be total loss.

It's a new model 1 series, 69 plate. Bought for c. 25k at the end of 2019.

1drv.ms/i/s!Ahwad2Mq6Pe7oyG4Z1QZGulnlz7r?e=8znZQB

Can't see a way to post a picture so have linked above. Again, sorry if this isn't the right place to post but would really appreciate an opinion.

Thanks in advance, TotalLoss1

[Blib]

Here's the photo of the car.

[thebraketester]

Presumably a joke. Write off.

[JulianHJ]

Blib said:

Here's the photo of the car.

Straight to Copart I'd expect.

[paddy1970]

Name checks out

[119]

TotalLoss1 said:

Hi, not a usual forum member here so hope this is ok. Posting here for some assistance. My partner had a ding in our 1 series last night. Insurer is saying it'd be a write-off without even seeing pictures or making an in-person assessment on the basis air bags were deployed.

Apologies, not really a car guy therefore hoping for an opinion. I think most likely that it is uneconomical to repair but thought it odd that they said that without even seeing pictures of the damage?? They said because the air bag was deployed and I'd mentioned the axel is probably misaligned / potential damage to the chassis that it'd definitely be total loss.

It's a new model 1 series, 69 plate. Bought for c. 25k at the end of 2019.

1drv.ms/i/s!Ahwad2Mq6Pe7oyG4Z1QZGulnlz7r?e=8znZQB

Can't see a way to post a picture so have linked above. Again, sorry if this isn't the right place to post but would really appreciate an opinion.

Thanks in advance, TotalLoss1

Thats not my interpretation of a ‘ding’.

[fflump]

TotalLoss1 said:

Hi, not a usual forum member here so hope this is ok. Posting here for some assistance. My partner had a ding in our 1 series last night. Insurer is saying it'd be a write-off without even seeing pictures or making an in-person assessment on the basis air bags were deployed.

Apologies, not really a car guy therefore hoping for an opinion. I think most likely that it is uneconomical to repair but thought it odd that they said that without even seeing pictures of the damage?? They said because the air bag was deployed and I'd mentioned the axel is probably misaligned / potential damage to the chassis that it'd definitely be total loss.

It's a new model 1 series, 69 plate. Bought for c. 25k at the end of 2019.

1drv.ms/i/s!Ahwad2Mq6Pe7oyG4Z1QZGulnlz7r?e=8znZQB

Can't see a way to post a picture so have linked above. Again, sorry if this isn't the right place to post but would really appreciate an opinion.

Thanks in advance, TotalLoss1

A "ding" that caused airbags to deploy and bent the axel. That is some ding! There is no rule that airbag deployment means a write off but they may have an algorithm that makes it more economical (TO THEM) to low ball you with a settlement offer that is offset by whatever Copart offer for the write off.

Have you been told the category of write off? I would have thought that this requires an inspection by an insurance company appointed inspector.

[ConnectionError]

Airbags deployed - Write off on a £18000 car.

There is little need for the expense of an assessment being done.

[Dog Star]

In 2016 I “dinged” an almost new E class coupe. I rang my insurer straightaway and the first thing he asked was “have any airbags gone off?” - he then explained that airbag deployment meant write off.

As it happened they hadn’t gone off but from my description of the damage he wrote it off over the phone. I never even filled any forms in - a week later they’d settled the claim.

[TotalLoss1]

Thanks all. Appreciate the replies to what's clearly quite an obvious question.

As suspected it likely can't be polished out

If anyone has any tips on how to avoid being shafted on the valuation that'd be really useful. Thanks again.

[TotalLoss1]

fflump said:

A "ding" that caused airbags to deploy and bent the axel. That is some ding! There is no rule that airbag deployment means a write off but they may have an algorithm that makes it more economical (TO THEM) to low ball you with a settlement offer that is offset by whatever Copart offer for the write off.

Have you been told the category of write off? I would have thought that this requires an inspection by an insurance company appointed inspector.

Thanks for the reply (and everyone else, much appreciated!)

We haven't been told the category of write off nor whether there will be an inspection. The car hasn't been recovered yet. Presumably that would happen and then they'd decide whether or not to do it? Is there any action we can take before then to make an argument for a higher valuation if we are low balled e.g. the car has extras which most likely wouldn't be captured in an automated valuation?

[POIDH]

You can get a good flavour of valuation by using autotrader filters to find 'identical' cars. Save the links or screenshot as you will need evidence, not just 'i saw one on Autotrader, it was worth £40k cos...'. be realistic about how much depreciation has been in 5 years and how much use you've benefitted from.

As for repair costs, you might only see a blunt cost. Unlikely to get a breakdown or even insight into what tips the cost or viability of fixings - it's a judgement at the end of the day.

[fflump]

TotalLoss1 said:

fflump said:

A "ding" that caused airbags to deploy and bent the axel. That is some ding! There is no rule that airbag deployment means a write off but they may have an algorithm that makes it more economical (TO THEM) to low ball you with a settlement offer that is offset by whatever Copart offer for the write off.

Have you been told the category of write off? I would have thought that this requires an inspection by an insurance company appointed inspector.

Thanks for the reply (and everyone else, much appreciated!)

We haven't been told the category of write off nor whether there will be an inspection. The car hasn't been recovered yet. Presumably that would happen and then they'd decide whether or not to do it? Is there any action we can take before then to make an argument for a higher valuation if we are low balled e.g. the car has extras which most likely wouldn't be captured in an automated valuation?

Optional extras will have little effect on the value of a 5 year old car. Better to list examples of near-identical models/mileages on AT/PH and argue based on that.

[Hoofy]

[redacted]

[Mr Tidy]

Like others I wouldn't describe any incident resulting in that sort of damage as a "ding"!

Quite honestly I probably wouldn't want a car with that much damage repaired so your insurer may be doing you a favour.

Good luck getting a decent valuation for it, I struggled with my old 3 Series last year. My only advice would be don't accept their first offer.

[TotalLoss1]

Thanks all, really useful information. Much appreciated.

[Megaflow]

I will be very surprised if that is not a Cat B. I had a far smaller ‘ding’ in an Astra ~20 years ago, the impact point was very similar and the airbags didn’t deploy, but the wheel being pushed back, pulled the chassis leg back and tweaked the bulkhead causing the roof to rise by about 10mm. The car looked drivable, but the insurance said nobody is ever going to repair properly due to the extent of the damage, so it was a Cat B.

[dhutch]

[redacted]

[daqinggregg]

If that’s what your partner calls a ding, I’d hate to see what a prang, would look like.