Is it a right off ?

[cop66]

My car was parked outside my house the other day and another driver came down the road (window totally misted up) and drove into my car. The sun also blinded her ! She admitted staright away it was her fault.

The car is a P reg Clio and recently had about a thousand spent on engine rebuild etc.

The wing needs changing, a new headlamp assembly and maybe a new bumper. The garage the insurance company took the car to has estimated the repairs to cost �958 !!!!!!!!! ( A total rip-up in my eyes)

My questions is are the insurance company likely to right it off and if so what sort of figure would they offer me ? (ie what could I expect)

Also if they do right it off can I buy it back and do the repairs myself ?

I am awaiting their decision but it has given me sleepness nights.

Thanks for any help in advance

Category C and Category D Registered Cars

[Toureman]

If the repairs cost more than the car is worth then the ins company would write it off and give you what they think is the market value, always decline their first offer and give them proof the car is worth more, if you can.

It is possible to buy the car back and repair it yourself.

[cop66]

How do you find out the "market value" of the car ? Does it cost much to buy it back ?

Thanks

[almcd007]

Try Parkers online or autotrader

[jake-the-peg]

Actually the insurance company will most likely write it off if the repairs are more that 60% of the value of the car (category D write off) if it't's over 100% it's a category C.

http://www.whatcar.com/newautotrader/valuation s_search.asp Will give you an idea, it depends on the model but it looks pretty close to write off territory.

Run of the mill about �1,500 private, �1,000 part exchange


Talk to the insurance company and point out that you want it repaired and that you believe the value of the car justifies it, back this up with a service history, bills anything like this.

What sort of garage was this taken to - I'd guess a main dealer or large body shop. Go and find a smaller independant body shop and talk to them. See if they'll go down and look at the car and give an estimate - it might be a lot more reasonable.

[cop66]

Thanks for all the answers.

It was taken to a main Ford dealer as this was the only local garage the insurance company deals with, I didnt have the choice !

[jake-the-peg]

Then they will definately be an expensive quote.

Normally an insurance company will require 2 quotes unless the car is damaged so that it cannot be moved.

Call the insurance company and see if they want to write it off - if they do talk to them about getting a second quote and ring around some independants see if anybody will go out and give a quote.

[whiffey]

I was shunted from behind and the car was declared 'uneconomical to repair'

Since it was my dream car, practically irreplaceable, I called in to see the coachwork repairers and pleaded with them ! I got it repaired, and the car they returned to me was better than new, gleaming and fully valeted (and dent-free:)