insurance buy back

[print]

I own a M reg E200 Mercedes saloon in excellent condition, new MOT and complete service history; the insurers Zurich want to write it off because of the cost of parts for a replacement drivers's door. How do I go about negotiating a buy back? They say there is no structural damage but the cost of parts and labour makes it a write off.

 

[Bolide]

Why not find out the threshold at which they write the car off then see if the car can be repaired for that amount?

A secondhand door won't cost much and if it's the right colour it might not need repainting. There's quite a lot of labour in stripping & refitting a door

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[Xtractorfan]

yes find the assessor and speak to him directly, he has to talk to you and agree figures with you , most are very willing to satisfy the customer... also keep the car at your own place, if u allow someone else to store it for you their storage bill could mean the car will end up belonging to them, and remember its yours until you agree the settlement terms...ask for a settlement in leiu of repairs...

 

[jberks]

Just agree a price to buy back. Ins cos do this all the time. They'll agree a 'good condition value' and what they'll get for it in salvage, you keep the car and they pay you the difference. I've done this several times over they years and always had considerable change left over after arranging the repairs at more sensible prices.

The only thing to watch out for is that as soon as you agree, they normally instruct a salvage firm to pick it up so you have to ensure you have the car on your drive so you can send them on their way. I guess it's just an automated process but on each occasion we've had a call from a salvager wanting to collect the car we'd already agreed to keep.

 

[cyps]

when youre car is beyond econ repair the assesor will assign a salvage price for the vehicle the isurance pay the balance and salvage company pay the salvage price to you you can take the car at the salvage price
I Had this with my toyota supra

needed front wing and headlight
car valued at 4500 salvage was 1000
300.00 back on the road

 

[vijilants]

But is the car still classed as a write off ?...I presume it is ?

 

[jberks]

I believe you can ask for it to stay off the register. Provided there is no structural damage, the ins co are normally quite co-operative. Worst case it would be a CAT D which is quite common at that age and carries no real stigma.

 

[Blobcat]

But is the car still classed as a write off ?...I presume it is ?

It depends, have you sent off the registration document? if not then it should stay off the register

 

[print]

Thankyou for all the advice; I have paid 300 for the 'salvage' and my pay out is 1600; the repairs will I hope be well in budget. And I still have my good car. Thankyou.

 

[hawk20]

What a classic useful thread where members knowledge achieved a good result. Well done all. And how nice that the OP came back to give the happy ending.