Book Value/ Write off

[BillyBB]

Looks like our Nissan Micra will be written off by the insurance. It's a 1.3 GX, 1997 'P' plate with 65000 miles and the repair would be �1500.

How much are we likely to be offered and can we negotiate at all? Can we get a settlement and repair the car ourselves? Never had to do this before.

Category C and Category D Registered Cars

[marcus5771]

What ever they offer first reject the offer. Its might be as low as �400. As repairing it yourself the car will be listed on the computer of all insurance companies as being written off and it would be impossible to insure.

[ugly_bob]

marcus - not true
my mate had his car written off by the insurance co and bought it back from them
then reinsured it with same comapny without any repairs
depends on what the damage is
if the car is still safe to drive but costs more to return to orignal condition it will be wriiten off
mate got three k(sorry cant turn shift lock off) for car and paid 150 for car back then insurance was less

Billy - depends on the damage

[jake-the-peg]

OK, firstly repairing a write off. There a number of categories. if the repair costs are greater than abouit 60% of it's value it'll be a category D write off. Many of these are repaired every year and they can be insured although some insurance companies will not.

If it's over 100% of it's value it's a Cat C. It can still be repaired but the police may take an interest as why you're doing it.

There is actually a company in Wellingborough I think who are authorised to inspect and have a car removed from the register but I think the criteria may be rather tough.

Anyway regarding negotiation on the price. The insurance company will most probably assume an average condition. Do not just reject the first offer without justification, if you want a better price you'll need to justify it. Things like a full service history - preferably a full dearler service history - will help. Any recent photographs showing the car in pristine condition things like that.

If you've got a relatively cheap car you want to keep after an accident you should always get a quote from a smaller independant body shop. If it was taken to a main dealer or a big firm the cost will almost always make it uneconomical - although looking at the autotrader website the value looks as follows:
Dealer �1,165
Private �915
Part Ex �715
Trade �665
So even if the repair was half the price you're still pretty close to Category C write off.

PS don't forget to get the car tax and get a refund - do it tomorrow it's nearly the end of the month.