Does having a CAT C matter to INSURance Payout?

[jacko lah]

A mate of mine has had a mk3 GSi astra stolen, offered almost nothing from insurance as apparently it's recorded as previously Cat C.

This is crap surely ? as if a CAT c car is repaired and inspected by VOSA that's as good as a non cat c car ?

[Lurking Lawyer]

The insurance contract requires your insurer to put you in the position you would have been had the car not been stolen/written off.

So, that means paying out a sum equivalent to the cost of you purchasing a comparable Cat C vehicle of same make and age with comparable mileage.

So, yes, the fact that it is a Cat C write off IS relevant to what the pay out will be as a Cat C car will always be worth less than the same car without a Cat C listing, irrespective of how good the rebuild job is.

[POORCARDEALER]

well if you were offered two identical cars, one Cat C (which is extensivly damaged and then repaired) or a car that hasnt been damaged which one you going to buy?? The only way you are going to buy the damaged repaired one is if its much cheaper..........hence they are worth less, hence insurance company will pay you less.

[jacko lah]

How much cheaper ? A good Gsi can go from £1000 to £2500 depending on condition privately.

You'd expect more than £250 ? He has extensive photo's of condition.




(Given that the poor lad never knew and paid full price which is his own fault I suppose)

[Ean218]

Our works van was Cat C written off last year, nothing terrible just scraped all the way down one side by a much larger wagon.

The insurance co. paid us the current value, we then bought it back for the scrap money.

The insurance co. then said they would only insure it 3rd party in future as it now had no value. That must work with any other insurer you go with no matter who owns it now or in the future as it has no proper intrinsic value.

Imagine if it was in another accident and written off cat C again. How would it be possible for the insurers to pay out against a loss which has already been paid out for and dealt with?

[Vesuvius 996]

jacko lah said:

A mate of mine has had a mk3 GSi astra stolen, offered almost nothing from insurance as apparently it's recorded as previously Cat C.

This is crap surely ? as if a CAT c car is repaired and inspected by VOSA that's as good as a non cat c car ?

No sir.

The insurance pays out the market value of the car, which is much lower for a Cat C than a pukka one.

It's tough sh1t, I'm afraid.

[L100NYY]

Vesuvius 996 said:

jacko lah said:

A mate of mine has had a mk3 GSi astra stolen, offered almost nothing from insurance as apparently it's recorded as previously Cat C.

This is crap surely ? as if a CAT c car is repaired and inspected by VOSA that's as good as a non cat c car ?

No sir.

The insurance pays out the market value of the car, which is much lower for a Cat C than a pukka one.

It's tough sh1t, I'm afraid.

Indeed, a Cat C car would have meant significant damage in the past, even a Cat D car is worth about half a non recorded car.