Accident Cover

Dear Wheelspin,

I am a proud owner of a VW Derby GLS, 1300cc, 1979 registered saloon car.
Recently, another car hit me from behind in a slow moving traffic jam and the damage is easily repairable. However, although the accident is no fault of my own and as I am fully comprehensively insured, the Insurance Assessor has estimated the repair damage at £1500 and so has offered me a write-off value of £250. I obviously want to keep my car. It was built ahead of its time and it is also lead –free and has all the makings of a classic car.

Please can you advise me how I can obtain a satisfactory value on the car and how I can ensure that the Insurance Company will accept full responsibility for the repair of my car?

Many Thanks, Ray Leyden

 

Dear Ray,

Sorry to hear about your accident. Unfortunately, I don’t think there is an awful lot you can do about this situation as your Insurance Company has decided that your car is uneconomical to repair. Apparently, if the repair will cost 60% or more of the value of the car, Insurance Companies will look at writing the car off, irrespective of what cover you have.

The amount offered to you as the ‘write off’ value is a book price. If you accept that payment you should have the opportunity to buy back your car for a salvage payment which will be fixed by your Insurance Company then you could get the repair done yourself.

If you think your car is worth more than £250 it is down to you to convince your Insurers. One way of doing this is to get a Garage or an owners Club, (such as ourselves) to give you a Valuation then present that, together with any receipts for work done or money spent on the vehicle, and write to them. It must be worth a letter and a stamp.

The moral of this story is when insuring your pride and joy, get an Agreed Valuation with the Insurance Company. This usually involves a little bit of extra cash (about £25) and time to get photo’s, receipts and a Valuation completed but, if you should have an accident the claim will be based on the true value of your car not the minimum book price!

The London & Thames Valley VW Owners Club do offer a free Valuation Service, strictly to Club Members only but, as it is a FREE service, the onus is on you to bring your VW to us! Contact the Club Hotline for details.

If anyone has any helpful advice re Vehicle Insurance, perhaps you could write in?