TVR to be written off
Discussion
Well sadly I was informed yesterday my TVR has been written off, strange one and gobsmacked but before I get into details the insurance people have been very supportive and sympathetic but being realistic I can see the rationale from a business perspective.
Long story but !!
Well the saga started in December took the wedge out of the garage to clear it prior to starting the winter rebuild, during the night my neighbours wall covering fell onto of both my cars. Damaged did not look too bad a few chips and scratches so I think, OK a touch up here and there, called a paint shop and Jeep was straight forward but, sharp intake of breath when looking at the TVR, the painter said he would get back to me on price, possibly a couple of grand but he never got back to me, perhaps that should have been an indication.
Anyway I got the Insurance company involved and the insurance companies paint guy say's “Oh respray to match it all up and due to paint type, a couple of grand should be no issue”. So as the rebuild was underway, body came off chassis, new outriggers, suspension etc etc so we agree that once its back on its wheels he will pick it up, hey everything is rosy.
Then!!! last week I had a call from an assessor, in all honesty I was not sure if it was my insurance company's assessor or the neighbours, I assumed the latter but transpires it was mine, anyhow nice gent went through a few details and I asked the rationale why he was here, the gent then said well due to the cost of a respray it maybe written off. Gobsmacked !!! paint quote was nearing value of car and seemed high, but in fairness the assessor explained that the paint type and need to match up would take a great deal of time.
So, just off the phone to the insurers, I have asked that if I get a better quote would that be acceptable for them not to write it off, possibly ! but current consensus is that it is CAT C, this means its still road worthy but requires an inspection. I find this strange its not CAT D as there is no structural damage just scratches !!!
I am really reluctant to let the TVR go but quite disillusioned, the chassis is top notch now, few engine bits planned and new shocks etc, plus I was treating the car to a new interior (HOTTY’s nice dash was the trigger for this). A lot of effort has gone into the car but if the insurance writes off the car then maybe I move on to another wedge and put my pile of new bits onto that one. I have spotted the 400SE in Scotland near me and the 450SE wayyyy down south on PH adverts, both tempting regardless of some of the things written about the latter and a plausible plan to buy one (Subject to inspection etc) and spend the next few month up to the spring working through the car. Lets face it I have a garage full of bits !!!
Anyway that’s my saga, I am due to call the insurance people tomorrow and from there I guess I’ll decide which way to go
Cheers all
Hamish
Long story but !!
Well the saga started in December took the wedge out of the garage to clear it prior to starting the winter rebuild, during the night my neighbours wall covering fell onto of both my cars. Damaged did not look too bad a few chips and scratches so I think, OK a touch up here and there, called a paint shop and Jeep was straight forward but, sharp intake of breath when looking at the TVR, the painter said he would get back to me on price, possibly a couple of grand but he never got back to me, perhaps that should have been an indication.
Anyway I got the Insurance company involved and the insurance companies paint guy say's “Oh respray to match it all up and due to paint type, a couple of grand should be no issue”. So as the rebuild was underway, body came off chassis, new outriggers, suspension etc etc so we agree that once its back on its wheels he will pick it up, hey everything is rosy.
Then!!! last week I had a call from an assessor, in all honesty I was not sure if it was my insurance company's assessor or the neighbours, I assumed the latter but transpires it was mine, anyhow nice gent went through a few details and I asked the rationale why he was here, the gent then said well due to the cost of a respray it maybe written off. Gobsmacked !!! paint quote was nearing value of car and seemed high, but in fairness the assessor explained that the paint type and need to match up would take a great deal of time.
So, just off the phone to the insurers, I have asked that if I get a better quote would that be acceptable for them not to write it off, possibly ! but current consensus is that it is CAT C, this means its still road worthy but requires an inspection. I find this strange its not CAT D as there is no structural damage just scratches !!!
I am really reluctant to let the TVR go but quite disillusioned, the chassis is top notch now, few engine bits planned and new shocks etc, plus I was treating the car to a new interior (HOTTY’s nice dash was the trigger for this). A lot of effort has gone into the car but if the insurance writes off the car then maybe I move on to another wedge and put my pile of new bits onto that one. I have spotted the 400SE in Scotland near me and the 450SE wayyyy down south on PH adverts, both tempting regardless of some of the things written about the latter and a plausible plan to buy one (Subject to inspection etc) and spend the next few month up to the spring working through the car. Lets face it I have a garage full of bits !!!
Anyway that’s my saga, I am due to call the insurance people tomorrow and from there I guess I’ll decide which way to go
Cheers all
Hamish
The guy a couple of doors down hit the wifes car just before Christmas in the bad ice. As we weren't even in the car and there was no way it could have been seen to be our fault I didn't even bother contacting our insurance company, but rang up the insurance company of the guy who hit us and asked if they would settle direct. They agreed and I took the car to their body shop to get a quote. It turned out that the quote to fix it was the same price as that paid for the car a few months ago (£1200). After some discussion with the assessor they agreed to pay me the price of the car less 15% for the scrap value and I keep the car, and it's not registered as a Cat write off. Seemed like a good deal to me.... Just wondered if you could do something similar and settle with next doors insurance direct? Appreciate it's probably his house insurance and not car that's involved but that way you would get a couple of grand to put towards the rebuild and no registerd write off. Cheers Steve
SEvans said:
Appreciate it's probably his house insurance and not car that's involved but that way you would get a couple of grand to put towards the rebuild and no registerd write off. Cheers Steve
Thanks crackedfinger/SEvansInitially tried the route through the neighbours house insurance, it's through a leasing agent who is not really bothered about helping out so I reverted to my insurance. It would be nice to retain the car but CAT C instead of D is an issue and I have a heap of work to do but until things are settled one way or another I cannot progress with the car so enthusiasm is waning. I have reached the rebuild stage and really don’t want to add new parts to a car that may end up on a trailer.
On a lighter note, the worst part about it is that I might have to now spend time in the house and learn the art of conversation with Katie
!!! relationships are so much easier when I am in my garage 
Edited by Tasmindevil on Tuesday 9th February 13:53
The Contractor said:
You may be able to withdraw the claim and say you will pay for the repairs yourself as they are purely cosmetic. Yes you will lose some money on it but the car will not be written off and a CAT D and you will not have the hassle of buying it back.
Also beware, if you are claiming off of your own insurance for repairs etc and they write it off, normally they will not allow you to buy it back!
Seriously?Also beware, if you are claiming off of your own insurance for repairs etc and they write it off, normally they will not allow you to buy it back!
No, not in my experience, I've bought the cars back and then made a tidy profit on the parts.
I think this story sucks big time. You need to cut out your insurer and ask for the other party to pay you direct. If their insurer is reluctant then a solicitor's letter will buck him up. Oh, and add the cost of it onto your claim.
I think this story sucks big time. You need to cut out your insurer and ask for the other party to pay you direct. If their insurer is reluctant then a solicitor's letter will buck him up. Oh, and add the cost of it onto your claim.
Hi,
i have always understood that as you were not to blame you are entitled to be put back in the same position as you were in prior to the damage so cost should not come into it,the other party is to blame and you want your car as it was before they wrecked it,
insurance companies never want to loose.
i have always understood that as you were not to blame you are entitled to be put back in the same position as you were in prior to the damage so cost should not come into it,the other party is to blame and you want your car as it was before they wrecked it,
insurance companies never want to loose.oh crap Hamish
Things don't half get complicated in life . Really bads news regarding your tiv, it's
sometimes dishearting dealing with something that changes all your plans.
I take full responsibility as it was me that started you off and will be happy to come up and repaint your car in brown gloss ,as thats the only colour i have in my garage.
Hopefully things get sorted soon for you.
Stephen
Things don't half get complicated in life . Really bads news regarding your tiv, it's
sometimes dishearting dealing with something that changes all your plans.
I take full responsibility as it was me that started you off and will be happy to come up and repaint your car in brown gloss ,as thats the only colour i have in my garage.
Hopefully things get sorted soon for you.
Stephen
You need some legal advice. (Cit' Advice Bureau is free).
Your car has been damaged due to someone else's negligence....lack of building maintenance, whatever.
Why the hell should you be out of pocket or inconvenienced ?
If your car is made a cat C as a result, then you should also be able to claim compensation for that, plus FULL cost of repairs and any no-claims bonus, etc on your insurance !
Small claims court is at your disposal too.
Don't bend over for these greedy tts. If you persevere you will likely win.
I wrote a Lotus off once, and the insurance company tried to fob me off....wrong bloke
They ended up paying for my car....full value, legal costs for my lawyer too, who also got me off driving without due care.
fk em ...they make enough. 
Your car has been damaged due to someone else's negligence....lack of building maintenance, whatever.
Why the hell should you be out of pocket or inconvenienced ?
If your car is made a cat C as a result, then you should also be able to claim compensation for that, plus FULL cost of repairs and any no-claims bonus, etc on your insurance !
Small claims court is at your disposal too.
Don't bend over for these greedy t
ts. If you persevere you will likely win.I wrote a Lotus off once, and the insurance company tried to fob me off....wrong bloke
They ended up paying for my car....full value, legal costs for my lawyer too, who also got me off driving without due care.
f
k em ...they make enough. Thanks all, trying not to get too emotional about this and seeing where it goes before the 
come out, I am definately not one to take things lying down but will let the wheels of business revolve and give the insurers the opportunity to do what I paid them to do. To none wedge owners they see just a car, not a passion/hobby/pastime/mistress or whatever we all see in our wedges, I have to understand this and not get too wound up, logic has to prevail at times so all I want is a fair and just outcome, no more no less.
As yet still no decision from the insurers and I have to call back tomorrow as it is sitting with their engineers. I raised the point about an alternative paint quote and this is a possibility but if that is ruled out the other options remain, either buy back or the agreed value of the car and move on to a new one.
We will see,
Cheers
Hamish
come out, I am definately not one to take things lying down but will let the wheels of business revolve and give the insurers the opportunity to do what I paid them to do. To none wedge owners they see just a car, not a passion/hobby/pastime/mistress or whatever we all see in our wedges, I have to understand this and not get too wound up, logic has to prevail at times so all I want is a fair and just outcome, no more no less.As yet still no decision from the insurers and I have to call back tomorrow as it is sitting with their engineers. I raised the point about an alternative paint quote and this is a possibility but if that is ruled out the other options remain, either buy back or the agreed value of the car and move on to a new one.
We will see,
Cheers
Hamish
I'm sorry to hear this Hamish, could you not compromise on the colour of the car [i know it's a nice candy apple colour] but getting it in a nice solid red colour would mean that you would get the car done and not have a cat 3 printed all over your documents.
As one of the chaps said it's not your fault this has happened, so just get the basket's to pay up.
john.
As one of the chaps said it's not your fault this has happened, so just get the basket's to pay up.
john.
Jesus what a ball ache, written off just for a few scratches!
What everyone else has said... wasn't your fault, you expect your car to be put back as it was, and no Cat this Cat that!
Time to start throwing toys
Edit: Your car sits quite low, do you have clearance issues? I only ask as mine sits low (tired suspension - about to be replaced) and my exhaust hits just about everything!
What everyone else has said... wasn't your fault, you expect your car to be put back as it was, and no Cat this Cat that!
Time to start throwing toys
Edit: Your car sits quite low, do you have clearance issues? I only ask as mine sits low (tired suspension - about to be replaced) and my exhaust hits just about everything!
Edited by Waynester on Thursday 11th February 05:06
Cheers all, well a call due into the insurance later today to find out the score. After two Euro hoons covering over 6k faultless miles plus UK summer fun my intention prior to this incident was to treat the wedge to bring the car up to a better standard. With regards to sitting low it does but as part of this year's fettle it has new suspension all round shock/springs although the latter are only 2 years old, maybe the Italian roads killed them. The body came off just in case anything was amiss, this led to the new outriggers and brakes have been rebuilt. Engine was to get fettled, new manifolds, cam, lifters, chain etc and an engine bay tidy up and the interior is out for a new trim. Next year I had planned a full professional respray up to a much much better standard and although not much thought had gone into it, I really liked the current colour but did consider returning the 400 to its original colour of black.
Anyhow I will see what the insurance people say and see what my next step is.
Cheers
Hamish
Anyhow I will see what the insurance people say and see what my next step is.
Cheers
Hamish
wooly350i said:
...as you were not to blame you are entitled to be put back in the same position as you were in prior to the damage so cost should not come into it
Not quite, under English law (dunno bout Scotland though) the owner of the wall is entitled to ask you to minimise your loss. If that means scrapping the car and buying another one, then you have to go along with that, it's all you're entitled to.However, you are quite within your rights to insist that the replacement car is up to the same standard as the one being replaced, and if that means an expensive apple flip flop paint job on top of buying the car, a body-off restoration, and replacement suspension, then so be it. What else is non-standard/uprated/recently replaced? Make sure you add it all on.
You might like to point this out to the wall owners/insurers, with some estimates. They will soon agree that respraying your P+J is actually the most economical course.
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