Old car for old

Recently I wrote off my beloved car, which I had purchased new, three years ago from a Mazda dealer. The insurer, Swiftcover, wants to supply me with another vehicle the same as my old one, but I would rather go out and buy it from my dealer as then if I have any problems I can go back to the dealer who has always been brilliant with me. What are my legal rights when it comes to write off replacement vehicles?

Asked on 27 March 2010 by S.B., via e-mail

Answered by Honest John
I'm pleasantly surprised and very interested that your insurer is seeking to supply you with a like-for-like car rather than just the money. I've never heard of that before. Of course, an insurer replacing a car through the trade (possibly using a trade buyer at auction) can get a better deal than you would get through a dealer. The insurer might offer money instead, but that would not buy as much car from a dealer as the insurer could supply via the trade.
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