Car Insurance

[S Ptn]

Hi, my car insurance told me they will have to write of my car. Can I withdraw the claim? it is superficial damage, hardly noticeble, no mechanical damage. But it ia a 2006 Mercedes and not worth much (in money terms) and the only quote I was allowed to get is from a company that will replace rather than to try and fix.
The car drives like a dream and is paid off. I can get someone to fix it for lot less. Will they let me withdraw the claim and if so they will probably not insure the car anymore. Any advice?

 

[Mercury12]

Yes, if you have not provided authorization to continue you can choose not to proceed.

 

[S Ptn]

Thank you, they only asked to take the car to the panelbeaters in order to get an estimate. And then informed me they are writing it off. I have not agreed to anything. If I decide to withdraw claim, will they refuse to insure the vehicle further?

 

[airborne]

Thank you, they only asked to take the car to the panelbeaters in order to get an estimate. And then informed me they are writing it off. I have not agreed to anything. If I decide to withdraw claim, will they refuse to insure the vehicle further?

Don’t withdraw the claim just yet, first get their offer to payout the claim and you self repair, so at least you get something out. It’ll be less than full write off but perhaps enough to almost cover the repair.
What was actually damaged?

 

[S Ptn]

Thank you, the broker will hopefully explain my options tomorrow, from what I understand so far is that the only option I have is for them to write it off and then I can buy it back if I want to keep the car. I admit I am completely clueless in this regard. I am trying to get as much info as possible.
The damage is a broken light (front left) and the bonnet is slightly bent as well as the grill in front. They chosen panelbeating company told me on the day that they do not fix but replace. A new bonnet was probably the deciding factor for writing it off. There is no mechanical damage and I am still driving the car.

 

[Hemi300c]

Best would be:-
Arrange that you buy the salvage back which is usually between 28-33% of current retail or settlement.

Take payment pay insurer for salvage get the vehicle fixed. Insurer will insist on an inspection by a authorised dealer before insuring again.

PS:- some insurers are in contract with salvage dealers and every write-off has to go to them no matter what. I have had cases where the deal is struck with the insured/salvage dealer but they take their cut.

Your broker should be saying the above to you.

 

[Dups!]

Had an accident in 2021 and the insurance wanted to write the car (BMW) off. The damage was a bit bad and I initially agreed to the payout but changed my mind. They paid me out a certain percentage and I fixed my car.

The car was paid off and it was in great condition and well taken care of. To this day it is driving like there was no accident.

My then insurance did offer me a quote on the car once it was fixed but I found a better quote with Naked so I went with them.

A piece of advice, insurance companies are there for themselves most of the time, they take the car and fix it then sell it to make a profit.

 

[airborne]

Thank you, the broker will hopefully explain my options tomorrow, from what I understand so far is that the only option I have is for them to write it off and then I can buy it back if I want to keep the car. I admit I am completely clueless in this regard. I am trying to get as much info as possible.
The damage is a broken light (front left) and the bonnet is slightly bent as well as the grill in front. They chosen panelbeating company told me on the day that they do not fix but replace. A new bonnet was probably the deciding factor for writing it off. There is no mechanical damage and I am still driving the car.

For minor damage like that you definitely want to keep it, the bonnet surely can be repaired, I’d first try paintless dent removal aka PDR to fix it. I have seen miracles done with PDR and it’s always a good first start even if it may need some light panel beating afterwards.

 

[airborne]

Had an accident in 2021 and the insurance wanted to write the car (BMW) off. The damage was a bit bad and I initially agreed to the payout but changed my mind. They paid me out a certain percentage and I fixed my car.

That’s what you need to do, even if your broker says that is not an option then phone the head office of the I surer and ask what options you have to be paid out but to keep your car.

 

[S Ptn]

Thought I add a photo, maybe I have no idea what is needed to fix it but it is really only that front piece that is a bit bent. The light cover (only) and the grill which is also a bit bent inwards.
Thanks for all the replies so far.
Kind Regards

 

[Hemi300c]

Had an accident in 2021 and the insurance wanted to write the car (BMW) off. The damage was a bit bad and I initially agreed to the payout but changed my mind. They paid me out a certain percentage and I fixed my car.

The car was paid off and it was in great condition and well taken care of. To this day it is driving like there was no accident.

My then insurance did offer me a quote on the car once it was fixed but I found a better quote with Naked so I went with them.

A piece of advice, insurance companies are there for themselves most of the time, they take the car and fix it then sell it to make a profit.

Not true

Insurance companies, those which can be called that, do not fix cars and resell them.

They all have agreements or contracts with companies like SMD where they are paid a set price for the salvage no matter the condition. Some Insurers contracts bind them to sell all vehicles to the salvage dealer and some have agreements where they handle on a individual basis and are not bound to sell every vehicle.

 

[airborne]

Thought I add a photo, maybe I have no idea what is needed to fix it but it is really only that front piece that is a bit bent. The light cover (only) and the grill which is also a bit bent inwards.
Thanks for all the replies so far.
Kind Regards
View attachment 1583094

Thats very minor, probably don’t get a headlight from Mercedes because it’ll no doubt be ridiculously expensive but ask anyway because every so often they have clearance prices on old stock. The best bet is probably to find a 2hnd headlight it might take a few months for one to crop up, in the meantime the current headlight still looks useable.

I wouldn’t bother trying the get the bonnet perfect again and the grill looks largely unscathed. As I mentioned before find a PDR guy, let him sort it as best as possible, as long as the bonnet can open and close freely and it isn’t impinging on the grill, then get a small tin of 2k basecoat matched at an automotive paint supply shop and take a fine art brush and touch up any marks. Done, you’ll probably make a tidy profit off the exercise considering Insurance wants to write it off and will need to make a fairly decent payout in leu of you self repairing.

 

[rodga]

Thought I add a photo, maybe I have no idea what is needed to fix it but it is really only that front piece that is a bit bent. The light cover (only) and the grill which is also a bit bent inwards.
Thanks for all the replies so far.
Kind Regards
View attachment 1583094

So that looks very minor
Luckily for you its in the most popular colour for mercedes so finding a colour matched undented bonnet should not be too difficult and 2nd prize if it cant be fixed with PDR.
Headlight should be able to be found at a scrap yard - although it looks to be a xenon headlight, so can be pricey even second hand. See if the lense/cover is easily replaceable - heat etc, then maybe look at just replacing the cover if you cant find a headlight for a reasonable price

 

[S Ptn]

Thank you for all the advice given.