Repair or write-off?

[daleherbert]

My car was damaged last week, whilst parked, by someone that the police suspect was drunk at the wheel.

My car was first registered in Jan 2007 and I bought it from a main dealer in Feb 2007 with 11k miles on the clock. Since buying it I have added only 2,300 miles.

My car is currently in the bodyshop with damage to the off-side rear wheel, wheel-arch, rear wing and roof. There is also damage to the front where the shunt pushed it into a telegraph pole. All-in-all it's looking pretty sad.

I am concerned that the insurance may have the car repaired, when I would prefer that it was written off as I would always be worried that another impact in the same area could be fatal for my 5 month old.

While I'm waiting for the judgement can anyone tell me where I stand if the insurance says they will repair it instead of scrapping it?

I know that it is purely a matter of economics to the insurance company but it could mean life or death to my son.

[NORMANTHEDOG]

how come it had done 11k in one month

[rdv]

Damage to the roof sounds quite severe and its also difficult to repair but if the insurers say its economic to do so you can only argue if its a close call. If its repaired properly you've got nothing to worry about

[DONNA1458]

I work for a bodyshop, your car will only be repaired and put back on the road if it is safe to do so, insurance companies usually go upto 60% of the car value but they are trying to repair rather than scrap these days if it is safe to do so. Have a word with the garage and tell them you don't want the vehicle back see if they can speak to the engineer first, then the engineer will call you and let you know the descision which is 99% final if he does repair it will be back up to insurance standard and so will no go on any register that it has been in an accident. Then if you do not want the car you then sell it on its return.

[daleherbert]

To rdv and DONNA1458, thank you both for constructive replies.

To NORMANTHEDOG, thank you for taking the time to notice my typing error. The car was first registered in Jan 2007 (not 2007). Please let me know if you have anything that I might actually find useful.

[Gef]

So, when was it first registered?

[daleherbert]

2006

[daleherbert]

mdoo98 good answer thanks. You made one very valid point about my assumption regarding the car's history.

My car is a Seat Leon 2.0 tdi Sport. I bought it from a Seat dealership as an ex demonstrator for just over �14k with a few extra toys fitted.

I had a word with the bodyshop owner and, although his opinion is just that, an opinion, he thinks that the cost of the repair is likely to be just on the limit where the insurers have difficulty making a judgement one way or the other.

If it is going to be that close I would rather it were written off.