Car accident insurance advice sought............

[MarkF]

Written off. They have offered me a cheque, I can't buy a replacement vehicle of the same mileage and condition as the old one for the cheque value.

My neck is starting to hurt..................

 

[welsh dragon]

That is what I expected would happen. Insurance companies don't really care about the sentimental value, just what the vehicle is worth in terms of hard cash, and there are tables that give them that info.

 

[Pale Rider]

You can attempt to negotiate the offer higher.

For this you will need some evidence, such as similar cars for sale locally.

Strictly, the insurer should put you back in the position you were in a moment before the crash.

They are offering you money to do this, so how much the replacement car will cost is is very relevant.

 

[welsh dragon]

They will only offer so much and that depends on what say glasses guide says, depending on the conditon of the car, poor , fair or good. You can argue your case, but dont expect much more I'm afraid

 

[smokeysmoo]

Be aware, it's your car and you can choose what bodyshop/repairer deals with it, (as long as they're insurance approved obviously).

My point is you do not have to accept your insurance company, (or theirs), saying the car is going to garage x or repairer y, you decide. So if you want it to go to Mazda, it goes to Mazda, if your mate has an insurance approved facility that you want to use, then it's your right that your mate can get the car to assess.

Hope this is not too late to help.

[EDIT] consider as well, any estimates that are done are based on genuine parts prices, but almost no insurance companies authorise genuine parts nowadays expect in exceptional circumstances, so the estimates are pretty pointless IMO.

 

[Cycling Dan]

I'm sure someone said on here before
Never accept the first offer
1st: is what they hope to get away with
2nd: close to what they will pay
3rd: the most they will pay

 

[MarkF]

I'm sure someone said on here before
Never accept the first offer
1st: is what they hope to get away with
2nd: close to what they will pay
3rd: the most they will pay

What leverage to I have? Other than saying my neck is starting to hurt...............

 

[welsh dragon]

Not much. There is an optimum amount of money that the car is worth and the insurance company won't budge on that. They will not take Into consideration the sentimental value. If you really want the car back to try to repair have it repaired, they may let you have it, but beware, it may well be to damaged to do anything with it.

what exacrly do you want anyway?

 

[Beebo]

What leverage to I have? Other than saying my neck is starting to hurt...............

The Insurers are only obliged to offer you the cash value of the car. How much is the difference between what they are offering, and what you want?
You need to get some second hand quotes for like for like vehicles, to demonstrate that your car was worth more than they think it was.
Also consider whether your car is repairable? What classification of write off is it? Can you get the repairs done by a back street MX5 specialist cheaper? There must be a few MX5 specialists about.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

Thanks for the replies. I know what it was worth and for an insurers preferred shop like say, Just Car Clinic, I'd guess it's a write off. My wife is very attached to it though, I really want it repaired.

I'll get my insurers on the case.

I should be able to say to my insurers "Go and get me a mint '98 silver 93k FSH 1 owner MX5"

A friend of mine had his car from new and it was 25 years old with 74,000 miles on it and full service history. It was immaculate.

Someone shunted him from behind at low speed and caused minor damage to the rear bumper and boot lid which would have cost £250 to repair. The insurer told him they'd be writing it off and giving him book value of £500. He rejected this and a slightly higher offer on the basis that he expected the insurer to return him to the position he was in before the crash and if they could find him another one-owner car with similar mileage, full dealer service history, and condition he'd take it. It would have cost him nearer £1800 to get the same car privately from another enthusiast.

They caved and paid for the repair. (My mate is very persuasive and very scary.)

GC

 

[Beebo]

.

They caved and paid for the repair. (My mate is very persuasive and very scary.)

That is your other option, phone them up, tell them you are coming to their office at a set date and time.
No one in these companies wants to have a face to face meeting, as soon as you walk into reception you will get results. I've seen it happen.

 

[Sara_H]

As far as I'm aware, if you believe your car is worth more than they've offered you can prove this by collating ad's from auto trader etc of vehices like yours.

The idea is that you should be able to replace what you've lost with the money they pay you.

 

[MarkF]

what exacrly do you want anyway?

To be returned to the position that GC describes below. Noting more, though I am now realising why people claim for whiplash.............

He rejected this and a slightly higher offer on the basis that he expected the insurer to return him to the position he was in before the crash and if they could find him another one-owner car with similar mileage, full dealer service history, and condition he'd take it.

As far as I'm aware, if you believe your car is worth more than they've offered you can prove this by collating ad's from auto trader etc of vehices like yours. The idea is that you should be able to replace what you've lost with the money they pay you.

That's what I am doing now, they are not a lot out, £300 or so, but I shouldn't have to fund the shortfall.

 

[Sara_H]

I've had two cars written off - 1st time I had to fight my corner and prove the cars value - and that was how I was advised to do it.

Second time my insurance company had made a cock up and I almost got arrested for having no insurance after my crash (their clerical error) so they were keen to keep me quiet and offered the top price streight away!

 

[welsh dragon]

To be returned to the position that GC describes below. Noting more, though I am now realising why people claim for whiplash.............





That's what I am doing now, they are not a lot out, £300 or so, but I shouldn't have to fund the shortfall.

In that case state your case, for the sum of £300 they may well give you the extra.