Not sure how to play this one. Someone reversed into my van and dented the drivers side door and wheel arch. Its still totally drivable but the people dealing with it have said due to what it is and the age of the vehicle it wud probably be written off!
Does anyone know how this works? I paid 1800 for it and insured it for 2500 tho i just saw one the same as mine go for 5k. What are they likely to offer? will the first offer be stupid and is it up to me to fight? are they likely to let me keep it and if so..will it be deemed unroadworthy and still require fixing to be able to put it back on the road again?
I'm not sure how all this works..any advice will be very much gratefully appreciated
A lot will depend on your policy wording (some have automatic salvage return but most say the vehicle is the insurers to dispose of), a proper repair probably would write it off if the shell needs serious work, you should be able to buy back the salvage for an agreed amount but it will be recoreds as a write off and thus may be worth less. You may need to have a row with them about this - a friend has a splitty from new and when he pranged it he had a row lasting months as they paid out the full insured value but it was just an old van to my friend and he only realised when the rest of us told him that the (not very damaged) salvage was worth way more than the payout, he got it back in the end though. I have had several write offs (only one my fault) and have always got the remains back for a reasonable scrap price. They won't pay out more than your declared value. You can still drive it damaged if roadworthy (to make sure getting a new MOT might be wise) - my panel van had a horrible dent that still passed an MOT and never caused a problem.
Why does the not quite finished job before last always conspire with the not quite started job after next to make what you should be doing now harder?
Often the insurance company deducts the 'value'. of the salvage from it's payout leaving the owner to dispose of the vehicle or do whateverthey want with it.
That's what has happened to me in the two events when I had a vehicle written off. In neither case was the vehicle recorded as written off so it was easy to put them back on the road.
If you don't like the first offer they make then be prepared to stick out for a better offer. Often insurance companies will make a better offer if you refuse the first one or two...
Good Luck
Andy
Andy with a 1990 Westy Callifornia.
Member No. 2700
The insurance company will decide on a salvage value - not much for an old vehicle. Perhaps as little as £25 - a nominal figure.
Years ago my BSA motorcycle was written off and I got £55 from the other persons insurance company. They didn't even want the bike. I got it back on the road for £15!
Andy
Andy with a 1990 Westy Callifornia.
Member No. 2700
Tell them you have had a quote for X amount from a local garage and that you wish them to carry out the work .. Tha can but try ... worked for me when i hit a car .. Cheers Mr you know who ..
If you said about £700 , it will work out cheaper for the other insurance company , cos if you think about it they will have to recover and recycle your van and then pay you the cost of the van .. £2.5k you say and then say another £500 for the recovery/disposal of the thing ... mmm £3k against £700 ????
I'd be taking i into my own hands, go and get your own quote for repairing the damage. Then Send the quote with a covering letter and several examples of recent sales of similar vehicles to your insurer.
It used to be you had the right to choose whom did the repair, you didn't even need to get more than one quote.
If they still argue over the vehicle value maybe you can request and independent valutation from a neutral specialist company (cost £50 when I did mine). Makes a difference having those example vehicle sales.
are your insurance company dealing with the claim from the other guy? do you have legal protection on your insurance? - if you have get them to write a letter stating what you want.
I have been in this situation several times, worst out come is that the insurance company will have a no salvage policy and you will not be able to "buy" the van back, they probably won't tell you the salvage company, unless u follow the recovery vehicle back to base.
The best outcome is that they deduct the scrap value and pay you for example they may state that the market value of your van is £2000 the scrap is worth £400 you get a cheque for £1600 jolly pleasant good luck call your insurance company
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