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How to challenge a car insurance write off and why you should!
If you’ve been involved in a bad accident you might be fearing insurance write off. In some cases, it may be the only option. Though we have found that insurance companies can be too quick to make that call. We’ve helped customers save their beloved cars when the insurers have given them no other options.
We repaired this “insurance write off”
In November this Mazda 2 was written off by the insurance company. This was because of damage to the wing, bumper and headlight. The owner wasn’t happy so gave us a call and spoke to Stuart. He sourced a new wing, bumper and headlight which was painted and fitted in no time at all. At the same time, he also repaired damage to the bonnet. This damage was caused by the salvage company who had briefly had the car as part of the insurance process!
Read about the “total loss” recovery that we saved in January 2019 for a very happy customer who sent us a lovely thank you card š
“Apologies for this being so late but wanted to thank you so much for organising all the work on my car. I’m really delighted with it, it’s like having a new motor and I’m very grateful for all your help and advice in saving my car. I’m so enjoying having it home and the freedom it gives me. Thank you for everything Martin”
Advice for you if your insurers have written off your car
If your insurance company review the damage to your car and decide it is a ‘write-off’ you don’t have to accept their decision. You are entitled to challenge two things. it is possible to challenge whether the car is actually a write-off. You can also challenge the amount of money you are offered if you accept the car is written-off.
Types of insurance write off
There are two kinds of insurance write-off, category A and category B that link to the roadworthiness of the vehicle. If your car has been deemed either of these categories it can’t be made roadworthy again. There are also categories C and D which are connected to the value of the car. These cases are written off by the insurer because it will cost more to repair the car than the car is worth. Usually, they have had the car seen by a garage and the mechanic will have quoted to repair the vehicle. If the quote to repair is more than about 3/4 of the car’s value it will usually be classed as a financial write-off.
Challenging your insurance company
You can challenge this type of write-off if you want to repair the car instead. If your insurance company have deemed your vehicle a write-off they will offer you a settlement. This should, in theory, be the same amount of money you would need to buy a like-for-like car but it can often be lower than you would need. If you don’t agree with the car being a write-off or the amount of money that you have been offered you can challenge it. The company will have looked at the value of your car in the guides like Glass’s and Parkers, which you can always look at yourself to understand what you might be offered. You also need to take into account the condition of your car and the number of miles you’ve done.
Do your homework
It is possible to challenge what you are offered but you must have proof, you’ll need to look at similar models of your vehicle and find adverts that are relevant to build evidence. You can ask local dealers who might be willing to put a value in writing, you can find your service history and other documents that prove your car’s worth.
More external advice
You can also have a look at the Institute of Automotive Engineers who can give you an independent valuation for a fee. With all this evidence you can challenge the insurer and start a negotiation. You can try to convince them the repair will not be as much as you have been told. or you can accept the write-off but ask for more money for your car in return. You can buy the car back from them if they decide to write it off anyway and repair yourself, which is an option if you just want to keep your car on the road. If the insurance company do not accept your evidence as a means of gaining a higher value for your car you can go to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
Leave A Comment
I have a question. My car was written off in the latter half of last month and I was not given the option to keep the car anyway. I have only just received the photos back that I took and sent via the app (not realising these wouldnāt register on my phone, but my excuse is that I am over 70 and not great with my iPhone). I negotiated a higher payment than was first offered but since the photos have come (and in a less frazzled state of mind) the damage doesnāt look anywhere near bad enough to warrant the write off and a reputable body shop has quoted less than a third of the pay-out price for repair to the bodywork (the Ka was an āNā write off so itās still completely driveable). The guy who picked the car up agreed the damage didnāt look bad enough to warrant a write off. So my question is, is it too late to get the car back and contest the write off, and if not, how do I go about it?
Hi Mary, Thanks for your comment. It may be that’s it too late depending on the timing but you’re always welcome to call us on 01442 864022 to discuss the situation. Martin and Stuart have lots of experience and might know the best course of action. We’re open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm.
Hi
Please someone help and advise.
Bought a car from Copart Auction and it was a category N.
However, after inspection by a professional mechanic and body work expert, I was told that there were nothing wrong with the body and no work done.
I want to challenge the previous insurer, but I don’t know who they are and how to get their info.
Can someone advise me
Hi Mohammed, I’m not sure we can help in this instance. If you have queries about a car purchased from Copart I would start with them. Many thanks, Zoe
Hi there I need some advice
My parked car was hit by HGV my useless underwriters tried to salvage it with co parts but I kicked off so they took it to a garage who works for Zurich and they quoted Ā£6650 to repair my car !! which is very high. My underwriters have been absolutely awful and never have contacted me I have had to do all the chasing including my curtesy car and to note the 3rd party insurance have never contacted me & I cant get through to them!!
My car is 9 years old and has low mileage and full Vauxhall service & mot etc and I’m not in a financial situation to purchase a new car and for the reason its not structural (still to confirm) they said repairs outweigh cost of cars market value.
How can I get the 3rd party insurance to fix my car as the engineer said it was not structural -awaiting confirmation of this as i feel its an unfair situation and I know that that my total loss will be repaired & sold on at some point
Hi Nichola, Sorry to hear about your situation. Please visit http://www.nonfaultcaraccidents.co.uk/get-help and fill out the details. If the team is able to advise or help with the claim they will let you know. Good luck, Zoe
Hi,
Thanks for the article.
I need help! My insurance have deemed my car as ātotal lossā Cat N after an incident.
I want to retain the car but I want to dispute the salvage fee which theyāll take if I retain. The salvage fee is Ā£2,448.60 out of the car value Ā£4,767.35 – this is nearly 50% of the car value. Iāve been reading online and usually they take 30%. Are they right to do this and how can I best challenge this?
Thanks in advance,
Karenās
Hello, sorry to hear this. For advice, we recommend giving Martin a call on 0800 059 0220. He’s usually available between 9am and 5pm from Monday to Friday. Alternatively, please email info@nonfaultcaraccidents.co.uk and he may be able to assist you. Many thanks, Zoe
Hi my saab 9..3 convertible was written off , I was offered ā¬ 1200 which I thought was a liberty considering I’ve spent a lot on it so I question it and they got my millage wrong and offered an 400 on top but I wished I asked for my car back As well but can I change my mind after signing it away-?? I’ve not been payed yet
Hi Yvonne, Sorry to hear that. If you’ve signed an agreement it would depend on the terms whether you can change your mind. It’s best to check the small print. Sorry you feel like you weren’t given a good price!
Hi my car was written off in feb 2015, i wasnt given the option to buy it back, yesterday i decided to claim my emissions on previous vehicles so i got my list from insurers all vrns i thought id do a check on my written off vehicle to see how it looked on mot page, only to find out it wasnt wrote of,,,and continued its regular mot etc for another 3+yrs, i was so angry to find this and questioned my insurance of which they too were gobsmacked then claims said had i actually owned the vehicle!!! As they couldn’t find any details till i mentioned the ombudsmen.then they said they didnt offer vehicle buy backs ?? Can you advise me please as i smell a rat ,x
This sounds horrible for you and sounds like something isn’t right. Unfortunately, we’re better off advising on active cases so not sure how much help we could be with this historical decision. If you wanted to call for advice we’re open from Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm.
Hi everyone my jeep cherokee 2014 was written of today when they took it away it has a new mot and was road worthy ,, after seeing it today it had been totally trashed all the head light had been broken . When in reality it was only one which was repaired for the mot …
I carnt belive steer motor have trashed my car what can I do ..
Can any one help or advise no price has been offered yet ..
What steps do I need to take when contacting the insurance company .
A perfectly good car has been broken so they can make money .. I feel broken times are hard enough with out company’s ripping the general public off to make money . I know the parts are hard to come by being a suv jeep but I would of wait for it just 60000 on the clock and a fresh mot
Sorry to hear this Dean. We recommend speaking to your insurers to understand the situation fully before you accept any outcome.
Thank you for the info