Can we buy back our written-off car?

Our insurance company has told us they are writing off our car based on information supplied by my husband when we raised the claim. What is the process for buying back the car and getting it repaired ourselves? The car was sent to a scrappage yard for assessment. We are concerned that if we do not work quickly the car will be scrapped. Also the car had nearly a full tank of petrol - can we claim for that too if it gets scrapped?

Asked on 10 June 2010 by Gwen

Answered by Honest John

Deal directly with your insurer. It may allow policyholders to buy back their written-off cars, or it may reach a negotiated settlement whereby the car is not written off and it gives you a sum of money to arrange your own repairs. Remember, if a car is written off, the insurer gets the salvage value of the car, so this has to be taken into account. It's not simply a matter of the repair cost.

Tags: legal advice insurance write offs

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