Dilemma

[scousetechie]

Last weekend where I live we had some flooding, my car was subject to some of it and I ended up with about an inch of water on the passenger side. Also my SRS airbag warning light is now permanently on.

Before contacting my insurers I went to a few local bodywork people and the general opinion from these guys seems to be that to dry it out and sort the electrics is going to be at least £1000 which I think is enough for the insurers to write it off.

So, the question is, do I:

a) Argue with the insurers over the write-off value (Yes I think over anything)

b) If they do write it off for a price that I am happy with (after argument) do I ask them for a buy back price and try to get it repaired myself?

c) Argue like hell with the insurers giving proof from websites etc about the value of the vehicle, take what they give me and go off and find another one.

I am somewhat peed off over this as it is nobodies fault but I will lose my NCB and have to pay the excess.

I would appreciate your comments.

Many thanks

 

[television]

I would say disconnect the battery, get the carpets out and warm all cables and connectors with a warm air gun,, these things blow the water out of the connectors,, where are you in Dorset

 

[GseRacing]

Take the write off, Summer last year we got flooded and i have about 3-4 inches in the foot wells. when the water went it started first time and drove ok. I drove it to the dealer and they took a look and said that all the ABS and ECU was placed low down and it would cost about £3000 to repair on a £12000 car. They also said that even if you get it properly dried in a big car oven like at a paint shop you are still at a huge risk of electrical failures and earlier than normal corrosion. My car was two years old at this time.

I lost 2 of my 4 years no claims. I argued that it wasnt my fault, the car was on my drive way and it rained. But the thieves in the insurance industry dont care about this. My claim went in at £10000. Now if you play it right you can damage limitate. When reinsuring i found a company that still only allowed me to use 3 years no claims (a year has passed now) and they made a note that it was a flood claim and not a crash which did help my favour a little with the price.

My final word is, i hope to god that you ar not insured with Swift cover. THey took 4 months to get me the money for my claim.

If there is anything else i can help with please do let me know.

 

[scousetechie]

Thanks for the help guys. I have had the insurance engineer to look at it this morning, he wasn't giving any clues but my next door neighbour has a 1 year old Vauxhall Vectra which has been written off so I don't hold out much hope.

I await the insurance company...and the forthcoming arguments!

 

[television]

Do not forget that you can buy back the car from the insurance company, or ask to keep it as part of the settlement

 

[Stu_CDX]

Do not forget that you can buy back the car from the insurance company, or ask to keep it as part of the settlement

As Malcolm says, this is a good option.

It means for a meanial amount, you get a car that you can break, sell for spares or repair it yourself and you'll make some money back that way.

 

[Aoraki]

As far as I was aware, insurance companies don't give you the option of buy backs anymore.

 

[silverhorse]

I got buy back 2 years ago when my car was written off. I then sold it to a car scrap dealer for £250. The merc was a 1998 E class with a rear end shunt

 

[scousetechie]

The Old Lady Is Written Off

Long story short, we had some flooding here before Xmas and my car suffered (dear old girl). Anyway the engineer came out to look at it and the insurers have written it off. The insurers have now asked me to send them the MOT certificate and the V5 (log book, for older readers) and then they will make me an offer. Now I don't like this because I am virtually giving them the ownership of the car before they make me any offer. BTW the car is still driveable. Anybody who has had a vehicle written off, I would appreciate your advice.

 

[television]

This claim can be dealt with without giving up the papers.

The car is registered in your name, and this has no bearing at all on the value or anything to do with the pay out.

You would not part with a car without being paid from any one else would you