Category C write-off : legal matters and insurance
Please put my mind at rest, or help me out with what to do!
My husband's car, a W reg Renault Megane was recently dented by another driver reversing out of a parking space into the side of his car as he drove past. The third party's tow bar gouged a great big dent into the passenger door and the panel next to it.
The third party admitted fault. Her insurance company (Hastings) deemed the car a Category C write off.
My husband received a cheque for the value of the car less scrappage (totalling £1440) which he was very pleased with! We thought that all was sorted and he has been driving the car (complete with dent).
However, I have expressed concerns about the legality of driving the car and I made a few enquiries. I know it has been 'assessed' by a garage who have said that it is uneconomical to repair, but I wonder how thoroughly they have inspected it?
I suspect that damage could be hidden beyond the aesthtics of the dent. I have read horror stories about the car now being uninsured until it is freshly MOT'ed and VIC'ed. (MOT would have ordinarily been due in June).
Please could you set us straight on this. We don't mind about the dent, but we do mind if the car is unsafe or uninsured.
Exactly what do we need to do to check that the car is:
a) safe to drive
b) fully insured to drive
Finally, what happens when we come to get rid of the car? Will we be able to sell it or is our only hope to scrap it or part exchange it with a dealership for spare parts?
(p.s. My husband is insured with Swiftcover, who have been about as helpful as a chocolate teapot)
My husband's car, a W reg Renault Megane was recently dented by another driver reversing out of a parking space into the side of his car as he drove past. The third party's tow bar gouged a great big dent into the passenger door and the panel next to it.
The third party admitted fault. Her insurance company (Hastings) deemed the car a Category C write off.
My husband received a cheque for the value of the car less scrappage (totalling £1440) which he was very pleased with! We thought that all was sorted and he has been driving the car (complete with dent).
However, I have expressed concerns about the legality of driving the car and I made a few enquiries. I know it has been 'assessed' by a garage who have said that it is uneconomical to repair, but I wonder how thoroughly they have inspected it?
I suspect that damage could be hidden beyond the aesthtics of the dent. I have read horror stories about the car now being uninsured until it is freshly MOT'ed and VIC'ed. (MOT would have ordinarily been due in June).
Please could you set us straight on this. We don't mind about the dent, but we do mind if the car is unsafe or uninsured.
Exactly what do we need to do to check that the car is:
a) safe to drive
b) fully insured to drive
Finally, what happens when we come to get rid of the car? Will we be able to sell it or is our only hope to scrap it or part exchange it with a dealership for spare parts?
(p.s. My husband is insured with Swiftcover, who have been about as helpful as a chocolate teapot)
Asked on 20 April 2011 by Chocciemonster
Answered by
Honest John
Does need to be VIC'd at a VOSA test station and the car's status as a Class C write off must be disclosed to the insurer (though the insurer should obviously know). The insurer may have cancelled the policy.
See: www.honestjohn.co.uk/faq/insurance-write-offs/
See: www.honestjohn.co.uk/faq/insurance-write-offs/
We give you the low down on how to save on insurance, little-known tricks and tips, what insurance groups mean and how to use insurance aggregators to beat insurers.
Insurance group finder and how to save on insuranceSimilar questions
My September 2010 Citroen C5 Tourer was recalled by Citroen and VOSA, in November for rectification of handbrake problem. I was instructed to take it to any authorised dealer. The work involved removing...
This is a copy of my letter to VOSA: “I wanted to speak to someone about the following but there is no appropriate option on your automated telephone service. Shame on you for not having an option where...
Further to our recent exchange of e-mails regarding runaway cars, did you see the report on main TV channels last night showing a lady and her husband giving evidence to the USA Congressional Review Committee...
.jpg)
