drsrst2zvh

Right as some may know two weeks ago someone reversed into my s2 and smashed the passengers door i took it for the estimate on friday and they got back to me today saying that the car is beyond economical repair. So my dilemma is now that they are gonna write the car off and im gonna get jack shit compared to what its worth on the open market. Has anyone got any ideas what sort of money to expect or what i should hold out for?

Here are some pics of the car in question:

Ryan_3

how that can be beyond economical repair FFS? its only a door

drsrst2zvh

This is what worries me apparently the quote was over Ł900 and to be beyond economical repair the work has to equate to more than 66% of the market value of the car. so that means at best they rate my car at Ł1400!!!! Are they taking the piss???

TurboShed

Take it somewhere else for an estimate.

iansoutham

If the car is not on an agreed valuation, then the car is worth the same as a standard Escort, Ł500 or so (as stupid as it seems).

A door (when available) is around Ł250. Allow Ł120 per panel paint and Ł70 per panel blend, you have 2 panels for blending (Ł140) and one door to paint (Ł120), total Ł260 in paint plus door and you have already met the "supposed" value of the car. Add to this the labour in stripping the old door, refitting all the bits to the new door, fitting the door, removing the old door, replacement of any other parts within the door unit and the extra damage that the insurance company would have put down for as "check and inspect" which have to be taken into account and you have suddenly hit a possible Ł800+ repair bill on a Ł500 car.

Anything over 60% of the vehicle value will make it a category 'D' and anything over 100% will make it a category 'C'. An insurance company can pay for repairs of up to 100% if the claim is for a third party (i.e. not the insured person).

This is why agreed valuations are recommended on any vehicle with money spent on it, especially the older ones. Also, regular updated photos and documented photos of any work carried out to help confirm condition of the vehicle are almost invaluable.

Ask for a cash-in-lieu settlement and not to have the car categorised, then replace the door yourself.

Are you going through your insurance or the third parties? If yours, you will need to buy the car back from the insurance company for a nominal fee (normally 10% of the agreed value). If going through the third party insurance, the car belongs to you regardless of outcome, so no money needs to be paid to get the car back.

Working in the trade, I see this on a daily basis and can understand your frustration.

drsrst2zvh

so even the fact of it being a two owner rs turbo in arguably the most desirable colour means its only worth Ł500 , surely the average price for a series 2 has to be over 2k let alone one in this condition. im claiming through the other persons insurance as the car was parked at the time. so realistically what outcome can i expect or try and help myself to get?
Sorry if this is a bit vague but this is the first time ive had to go through this.

Ryan_3

you can always buy the parts yourself I think, second hand door!

iansoutham

Unfortunately, regardless of the fact it is an Escort Turbo, the insurance engineer will only be allowed to see it as a MK4 Escort, although he will be allowed to value it a little higher.

If you can get confirmed (AutoTrader recommended) valuations of similar vehicles which can be confirmed by the engineer, then you may be able to get the valuation redone and take this into account.

A good friend of mine had a Sierra Ghia (1990 model) which was spun on the motorway by a polish lorry driver. Needed a 1/4 panel repair and new rear bumper. Due to the condition of the car, documentation I had written as a member of authority within the Owners Club and generally my friend being nice to the engineer, the vehicle was repaired @ the garage of his choice and no write-off was registered.

Are you RSOC registered? If so, speak to your registrar and see if they can do a valuation for you (might be difficult due to damage). Also, if you know anyone who can do an engineers report for you to confirm mechanical and body condition. Again, this may help increase the value.

Above all else, try and be nice to the engineer. He will be the one who can make it happen or not. If you come across as difficult, the odds will go steeply against you.

drsrst2zvh

When you said about a cash in leiu settlement? how woul di go about doing that as i dont want the vehicle categorised as i had plans to sell it in the next few months to be replaced with an escos hopefully so i dont want it to be worth nothing when reapired.

iansoutham

Basically, speak to the engineer and see if he will allow you a cash settlement (to be agreed) under which you sign an agreement allowing no comeback to the insurance company should any extra damage be found. This should prevent any categorisation if done correctly. Agree a sensible sum and the engineer would be foolish to refuse as it will dramatically reduce his paperwork and clear the "job" from his system much quicker. The engineer will know that you will fit a second-hand door, so do not go asking for Ł600 or something similar.

Big G

That is your best and simplest option.
Get 3 or 4 ads from the trader and send them to the insurance, it may get them to value your car abit higher if they are in a good mood.

Unfortunatly the assessors see the car as a unit and not a car, they couldnt give 2 shits about its history

drsrst2zvh

That is a particular shock "Ł600", if they are gonna give it a cat D my brother had a b reg astra estate that someone drove into and he got Ł650 for that and got to keep the car??? So how can mine only be worth the same or less i was thinking more along the lines of Ł1200 if they are gonna write it off.
FFS i have no idea what to do now! Why didnt my stupid neighbour just defrost his windscreen!

nickscunny

iTrader: (1)

couldnt you have just asked your neighbour for say Ł150 cash instead of making a claim? Saves the hassle and you get to keep the cars original value and get a second hand door fitted......

GUZZLER

iTrader: (3)

we had the same problem with our fiesta turbo, insurance said it was worth around Ł1100, i told them to send an asseser round, they gave us Ł1600 towards the repair & it wasn't written off.

iansoutham

No, by agreeing to a cash-in-lieu with no categorisation, you are basically asking for the money for the repairs, not to replace the car. The repairs would not cost you Ł600 (which was just an example figure picked out of fresh air I may add).

What I am basically saying is that if you are honest and fair with the engineer, then he should be the same to you. If he isn't, then you are on a loser before you even begin.

My old Escort van got hit by a kid on a Hyundai whilst parked. Van was a K-reg 1.8D with 133k on the clock. By talking with the engineer and discussing it sensibly, I got Ł1600 for the van AND they disposed of it for me (it was properly totalled with not a single straight panel left on it), so not even drivable in any sense of the word.

drsrst2zvh

I think ill have to hope for something like this as i can get the car repaired at a garage local to me who do great work for around Ł800 if i provide a second hand door and do the prep work i.e stripping the car and ill put it back together even said he would repair the arch at the same time and if i flung him a few hundred more hed spray the whole car. so i think i will have to see what the insurance company say 2moro when they get back to me.

Twins

iTrader: (18)

Basically you "TELL"the insurance company that they are paying to repair the car not write it off as their customer hit your car or you will have cash and get it repaired your self ,do not let them write it off

drsrst2zvh

Sounds like your talking from experience there??? That is what i wanted to hear and what i want to happen!

Big G

Take the cash in Leiu, then get someone you know or trust to do the work, some of these repair centres take no pride in their work.

Rax

iTrader: (1)

I remember reading your original post,if it was me I would just get them to settle your claim which if you are going to send in ads for similar vehicles you should get minimum Ł1500.Buy the car back and repair it,then either keep it or sell it.If you keep it the car stands you less money and its repaired,if you sell it you can sell it for a drop less if it goes on the list.Take plenty of pics anyway,it wouldn't bother me in the slightest if it was up for sale and on the list with pics of the minimal damage its had with pics to prove its only a door ffs.I got Ł350 off my insurance copmany for an old Hreg mk4 diesel and sold the car for Ł180

mattxr3i

not sure I agree:
My mk4 XR3i had the rear quarter panel and the suspension damaged caused by someone failing to stop at a red light. The insurance company sent an assesser and they valued the car at Ł1800. This was about 4 years ago when normal Mk4s were still banger money. I was given Ł1000 to repair it and it wasn't written off. I think part of the reason I got a good deal was because I wasn't trying to rip the insurance company off and the assessor liked the car (it's completely standard) I was given the money to repair the suspension and bodywork - so I fixed the suspension myself ( shock absorber ) and the bodywork was done at a bodyshop of my choice.

What it looks like now:

Rossco

What ever route you pick, dont except the first figure the insurance company offer, fight like foook!

Good luck, it can take a while.

drsrst2zvh

Cheers for all the advice peeps. Looks like it could be a long road ahead. Great!

bristol_fez

iTrader: (1)

if they have said your vehicle is a total loss they will not offer cash in lieu, they will offer you a PAV (pre accident value) and give you the option to retain the vehicle.

gaz s1

Fight them and as stated above as for a cash settlement, my s1 got rear ended last year and needed boot floor back panel etc.
I was with boncaster on the rsoc scheme and they still wanted to write it off and only valued it at Ł2000
Luckily i got onto the liason officer who fought my case and the value they put on it in the end was over double there first estimate so the car then wasnt uneconomical to repair and got fixed.
As stated above scour the net and print off loads of s2,s and what price they are up for sale as this helps and dont give up and fight for your car to be repaired and you will win in the end.
I dont envy you as it is a nightmare to sort out

Rs Baz

or tel your insurance your willing to use a second hand door as you dont want it writen off, this has been done before

RSandy

iTrader: (1)

a lot can be said for tryin to keep the engineer sweet when they visit, so make that your main aim, if you are sound, they will try and help you out

my car got hit in the rear arch by another driver who took full blame (seein as my car was parked). his insurer tried dragging it out rediculously, and i got bored n repaired it myself for minimal cost, thinking i was fighting a losing battle. then 1 day an engineer came out to inspect the damage. of course it was already repaired, but i spoke nicely to the guy, explaining it was my pride and joy, and even thought it was a 1.3 shell, i didnt value it so low, and i didnt want to see it left a mess. so he was sound, he inspected the work, looked at some pics prior to the repair, and decided to just put it through as normal. week later a cheque landed through my door for Ł400

rog

iTrader: (2)

If it's only a door i'd just get a 2nd hand one the right colour and be done with it, even if you have to get it painted, Ł900 is a bit of a joke, well not a bit, it's a disgrace.

RSandy

iTrader: (1)

yeh 900quid is just a tad OTT

i got quoted less than that for a complete back panel replacement on mine, and whilst im no ford panel beater, i think its safe to say a door can be fitted a tad quicker than a back panel lol

dojj

iTrader: (3)

speak to your neighbour and ask him how he would like it settled

if he wants to take the car to a bodyshop and pick up the bill then fine, if he wants to go throug the insurance fine
but at least keep it sensible as he's already admited it's his fault, you never know, it might be worth his while to give you Ł5-600 to get it sorted yourself and not go through teh insurance if you can find a second ahnd door to simply bolt into place

Cossy Mike

iTrader: (4)

Get it fixed then bill them.....Tell them repairs already done.

Oranoco

Absolutely

I have done this 3 times now. My brothers FRST was hit in the rear and they wanted to write it off and send us Ł1100, after a few phone calls and letters they paid out Ł1600 for repairs and the car was not written off. My mums 50k mile XR2i was hit in the rear and and they wanted to write that off, again some letters and phone calls and they fitted a brand new bumper and painted it. And finally our old XR2i was hit in the rear and they wanted it written off and sent us a cheque for Ł500. This was the longest one as it took 6 months of arguing and we threatened to go to the insurance obudsman but we got Ł2300 back for the car. Saddly it was still written off but it had received damage to the beam pick up points. It was subsequently repaired and put back on the road but everytime I saw it it never drove right

zvhturbo29rs

iTrader: (7)

couldnt you sort it for cash with your neighbour,explain what the insurance company want to do ect.i have a black door which would need spraying thats all.cheers

rsfordfan

Honestly the best way to deal with it is to never let them take the car off ur hands. They wanted to take my old S1 and write it off, but I told them to send and assessor round.

At first he wanted to write it off with a repair bill from Ford for Ł800 quid. I explained nicely that the car was agreed value on my insurance at Ł5,000. Claim got paid and Ford id the repair.

1st rule is never let them take the car.
2. always get them to come to you to check the car out.
3. Never settle for first offer.
4. If its not your fault then you have nothing to hide.

When I had my first nova i was in an accident, other guy was at fault. I had brough the car 2 years previously for Ł535, car was in good nick, got paid out Ł565 for it in the end.

Always haggle and always sort it out.

Ginge !

tell them you want cash to repair the damage otherwise if its a write off you will get paied out half the value if theres another crash !!!!, also wont be able to buy it back the second time either !!!!

cash for repairs with no comeback will always be favoured as they wont have to pick up the bill for towing, the engineer wont have to keep checking up on the work ect and is less hassle !

twins is the one to listen to on here !!

cozmeister

iTrader: (1)

Do not EVER under any circumstances let the pikey bastards take it away to assess it. There's NO reason they can't look at it in situ, and if it can pass an MOT it's fine anyway. I nearly lost my Saff that way - the cheeky fookers said "we'll give you 500 for it". They said "There's a bloke here who'd do it up and sell it on."

"So you can actually fix it then?"

"Oh no, it's beyond economical repair."

The next word they heard was followed by "OFF". Phone calls, name calling and rattle throwing eventually got it back on the drive.

Cancelled the claim to repair it and had it done privately, so never got written off - that's also part of the reason it came back, because the pikey assessors were told in no uncertain terms that after what they'd said, they'd be paid a visit by the fraud squad and I'd report it stolen along with the name and address of the thief. It was coming home with or without their co-operation.

As I understand it, if it can pass an MOT it's fine.

The other half had something different though - they wrote her Mazda off, just because some fecker reversed into it and pissed off. They didn't ask her or anything, just called her back with the bad news. That got taken away to be 'assessed' too, different company though. Customer Services got an ear-bashing and got it back with the help of probably the only helpful chap on the CS desk - he also said if you MOT it it'll be fine, you just won't get a tax reminder until you've had a VIC test done.

Ginge !

yeah as said never let em take it at any cost !!!, my sister done that even after asking for my advice, they then started to screw her over,,, first it was the " sorry, its been wrote off before so its a 50% cut in payout" then when i told her to ask for it back she was told she cant have it back due to goverment rules withwritten off cars

then she said she wasnt having that and wants to get her tax disc and other stuff out the car,,,,,, thats when they told the local bodyshop that assessed had done so via photos,,,,,, and her car was in a breakers yard in essex,,, she lives in worthing !!!

she kicked off about the lies she was told and then after much much agg they paied her out the full value of the car minus her excess, the effectively stole her car, took it to a place she NEVER agreed to and was gonna call the police about the theft,,,,,, guessing she aint the first either

they also frozen her policy,,,, yet it runs out the same time anyway ( how the fuck is that frozen)

she was so fucked off about it and cars that she had no interest in getting another so i bought her one and trying to show her the good side of owning a car

the thing to notice is if cars are being stored in breakers yards,,,,,,, how many breakers are gonna be writing off the cars so they get free stock ????