Insurer won't write off car after heavy crash - what are my options?

My 2013 Ford Focus was hit by another driver at 40mph. The accident wasn't my fault and damage is severe, with the insurer saying the car will cost at least £6000 to fix. I bought the car just eight months ago and really don't want it back with that amount of repaired damage, but the insurer won’t write off the car. What can I do?

Asked on 27 October 2013 by st6phen

Answered by Honest John
There is a scale of 'Diminution in Value' due to crash damage, which you need to assert to the insurer. No dealer who identifies the repair will want to take this car in part-exchange except at a considerably lower value than its trade book value.
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