Car being written off by indurance...how do I get the most out of them for it?

[Overseasmom100]

DH had to swerve someone who had pulled out in front of him to avoid a collision...but bashed into railings and damaged side of his car. The person drove off.

Insurance are now writing car off as garage said repairs will be £3k...car peob worrh around that.

The car was immaculate and low mileage for age plus leather interior. Are insurance companies renouned for giving peanuts? It was definitely before damage a great car...our local garage could vouch for that. How do we go about getting the best for it

Insurance will give book value unless you've declared its worth more for some reason.

Try and find as many adverts on auto trader etc showing the price of cars of same age model mileage and extras. You can send these to the insurance company if their offer is low.

Go on auto trader, try and find examples same age/ spec/ mileage, if they are more than you are offered, or if your car had any extras fitted that are not standard on any of the trim variations, again use this to negotiate. If you can give valid reasons why your car is worth more especially if you have multiple ads showing cars being sold for more (if it's just the odd one insurers may say it's just a one off) then you may be able to negotiate an increase.

Many, many years ago, I used to work for a motor insurance assessor. He used Glasses guides to value the car, taking the condition into account and the only thing that would sway him would be as many adverts as the person could find selling the same make, model and age of car.