Insurance: When is it considered a write off

Mark Carver · 2007-04-21T20:03:59+00:00

My 17 year old lad has a 1997 Peugeot 106, 43k on the clock.Last night he reversed, not realising the passenger door was closed, and the door was damaged on a low brick wall.The door still closes, albeit now with a gap with the body that you can see daylight through.We took it to two garages, both said the door needs replacing. Which I can believe. It's badly crumpled near the hinges. We've already received the quote from one of the garages, £1168.Now, the car was purchased 6 weeks ago for 1350 (Private sale).If my lad claims, he'll have to pay 400 quid compulsory excess, and of course he'll lose any chance of his premium dropping next year (a likely drop of 600-800 quid).However, won't the insurance company consider a close on 1200 quid repair, on a 1350 quid (and the book price will be lower) car a write off ?The car's perfectly OK still to drive about, and whether he claims or not, it's going to cost him 1200 quid either way to repair. I think I'm answering my own question here, but you've not spent the day with a distraught teenager :-)Any advice or experience gratefully accepted !

Apr 21, 2007 46 Replies

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SteveH 19 years ago

Yes, I had a Suzuki GP100. Red, it was.

Seriously, that's hardly worth bothering with if DentMaster can't do anything.

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Ed Chilada 19 years ago

? Do you mean open?

Get another door from a breakers.

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shazzbat 19 years ago

For safety's sake he probably should be fused if he spends time around teenagers.

:-))

Steve

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Dave Plowman (News) 19 years ago

If it's just the door and the body hinges etc are ok you could save a deal of money by getting a secondhand one. With a bit of a search you should be able to even get one in the right colour. The interior trim - and things like electric windows, locks etc or not can be swapped from one to tother. I'd expect a good secondhand one to cost no more than 100 quid.

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johnnyg 19 years ago

Can't disagree more NEVER contact insurance co unless you have to, never mind in writing. You have a duty of care to keep your losses to an absolute minimum so the scrappy would seem to be that route. Or look around other bodyshops I'd have thought a new door skin and paint would be a max of

400 quid. We are talk>>> And risks a further "ton of bricks" because the police stop him on

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Martin 19 years ago

So did I - the disc braked original one - it would do genuine 80mph as well!!!!

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PH13 19 years ago

I've had worse done by the door getting caught by a strong wind.....global warming, don't ya know

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