[tieak]

Hi,
Wife's mini was involved in an accident (someone turned right, right in front of her) last week...the car was a little bashed up - at the front - but only a little - ie the bonnet was bashed but there wasn't even any broken lights.

The insurance has called to say it's to be written off (???!!):...and offered £7,000. I'm stunned a) because apart from maybe some bits at the front and new air bags etc the car didn't looked bashed and b) because I can actually get a mini of the same age and condition for the quote.

So does anyone know if it's worth pushing to get the car fixed (though there is the usual worry of 'it'll never be the same again) or how I'd get the insurance to give me the cost to replace (I thought of using the BMW Cherished Mini site as a guide)?

All views gratetfully received.

Tieak

[Buz999]

Accept the insurance money then buy the car back from them at a low price, carry out the repairs yourself and add a few mods with the extra cash!

[tieak]

Thanks...in my youth perhaps but now....without a nice rig and toolset I guess it's now out my league!

Tieak

[FergusM]

Quote: Originally Posted by tieak (original)

Hi,
Wife's mini was involved in an accident (someone turned right, right in front of her) last week...the car was a little bashed up - at the front - but only a little - ie the bonnet was bashed but there wasn't even any broken lights.

The insurance has called to say it's to be written off (???!!):...and offered £7,000. I'm stunned a) because apart from maybe some bits at the front and new air bags etc the car didn't looked bashed and b) because I can actually get a mini of the same age and condition for the quote.

So does anyone know if it's worth pushing to get the car fixed (though there is the usual worry of 'it'll never be the same again) or how I'd get the insurance to give me the cost to replace (I thought of using the BMW Cherished Mini site as a guide)?

All views gratetfully received.

Tieak

look on Auto trader and send of descriptions of similarly priced mini's and try to get more ££..that is what I did with my car when it was stolen.

...I would never think the car would be the same after a crash...

[Nebdingo]

TBH...

Scrap the idea. start again!

there NEVER the same after a thumping! and selling will be a git too! as well as the hassle of repair!

[minicabrio]

Unfortunately the front ends are a little unforgiving in an accident. The bonnets are a highly complex panel, and thus costly to replace. The plastic bumper is just a cover, behind it is a huge lump of metal which is the real bumper, if this is damaged it'll need to be replaced.

It may look like a little knock, but if the car needs a bonnet, grille, bumper cover, metal bumper strut and paint you're looking at a few grand already. Add on the little bits and pieces and already you're at the magical 50% figure

Push for some more £££s to get a replacement, use some examples of cars you'd buy to replace it and their asking price.

Best of luck

Jon

[tieak]

Thanks for all these...I think I'll end up having to take the cash. I'll check cars for sale to get an idea of the prices out there - esp as this one is a one owner from new and have low mileage too.

I had a look at the BMW cherished mini site to check the values, luckily I was already sitting down...they seem to want a good £1000 to £1500 for a similar spec.

Tieak

[minicabrio]

Quote: Originally Posted by tieak (original)

I had a look at the BMW cherished mini site to check the values, luckily I was already sitting down...they seem to want a good £1000 to £1500 for a similar spec.

If there are enough examples to use, you stand a good chance of getting at least another £1000 from your insurance company. Ask your local dealer for a written valuation given its pre-accident condition - if you hint that you'll come back with the insurance money and buy a car they will often help you.

If you are going to accept payment, unfortunately its now time to play the haggling game.

[zyo]

It always used tobe the case that you should never accept the insurance companies first offer, it would always be a bit of a 'try it on' offer. Have things changed recently or is it still the case?

[minicabrio]

Quote: Originally Posted by zyo (original)

Have things changed recently or is it still the case?

Nope that's still the case. You don't get if you don't ask, and they can always just say 'no'

[:: Jon ::]

Pointless going by what other car prices are, as the insurance goes on a trade in price / their own guide,

which will be lower than what you could sell it for private.

[minicabrio]

Quote: Originally Posted by :: Jon :: (original)

Pointless going by what other car prices are, as the insurance goes on a trade in price / their own guide,

which will be lower than what you could sell it for private.

Your insurers always agree to insure the vehicle for the 'market value', which by any definition is the value of the vehicle in the marketplace. If you can prove the value of your vehicle in a marketplace is higher than what they've offered, you can expect them to better their offer.

Plus, the insurer will be wanting to keep the business as they've had to pay out on a claim, and they want next years premium in return. Thus they will budge on the value to keep the customer happy in a hope they'll renew.

[:: Jon ::]

Quote: Originally Posted by minicabrio (original)

Your insurers always agree to insure the vehicle for the 'market value', which by any definition is the value of the vehicle in the marketplace. If you can prove the value of your vehicle in a marketplace is higher than what they've offered, you can expect them to better their offer.

Plus, the insurer will be wanting to keep the business as they've had to pay out on a claim, and they want next years premium in return. Thus they will budge on the value to keep the customer happy in a hope they'll renew.

I beg to differ... I've had first hand experience with this.

[zoooooom]

buy it back and sell it to me

Where in Scotland are you?

[minicabrio]

Quote: Originally Posted by :: Jon :: (original)

I beg to differ... I've had first hand experience with this.

As have I.... I have never settled for the first offer made by an insurance company, and have always ended up with substantially more than their offer.

[Snowie]

Quote: Originally Posted by minicabrio (original)

As have I.... I have never settled for the first offer made by an insurance company, and have always ended up with substantially more than their offer.

My recent experience with Norwich Union on my sons car was to haggle on the settlement figure - we got it up, but not by much. After agreement which took a couple of calls back and to over 24 hrs, the cheque was received in the following days post 6 working days after the accident

[zyo]

The thing that always bugs me about insurance is when they say "and how much is the vehicle worth" . Then you claim for some reason and they offer you half of what you told them it was worth. Why do they bother asking? If you tell them it's worth £16000 then surely they charge you accordingly just as they would charge you less if your car was worth less(and I do mean worth less and not worthless). What use does that 'valuation' you give them ,have?

[FergusM]

When my last car was stolen they based value on Autotrder values...and I got a good payout (from elephant)...about the only good thing from that experience with that insurer.

[tieak]

Well, I've done the response letter and quoted all the bits which I think make it worth more - one owner, service history, no prev accidents/repairs, lowish mileage, a few extras (though I know these aren't supposed to add much).

I've also added some comparison quotes from the cherished mini web site and from autotrader. I've tried to say that the cherished site is better (though clearly more expensive) just because it would give me more confidence in the history and 'rightness' of the car. Esp as it's to replace one that I know is 100% genuine 'cause I got it new.

I also spoke to the (I guess) loss adjuster from the insurance who said that the prices quoted in the adverts are normally reduced if you have cash. Though I think it's easier to say that if a) your a skilled negotiator or b) it's not your money.

[minicabrio]

Best of luck with it