AIBU to not want to make a claim?

[supersop60]

I have a 14 yr old car, which isn't worth much in the resale market, but is worth a lot to me. I was hit from behind by another driver, and now I don't know if I want to claim the insurance. The damage would cost about £300 to put right, and I don't think the car is worth that much, so it would be written off, and I would have no car.
However, on the other hand, the driver who did this should pay in some way, and he would argue that his insurance would pay, giving me the same dilemma. Should I just suck it up?

If you were hit from behind then it is clearly the other driver's fault. Why wouldn't you claim from his insurance? That's what it's there for

Definitely claim from the other driver. Sometimes insurers will offer a payment in lieu of repairs instead of writing the car off and you can get the car mended yourself. You don't have to accept you car being written off. Don't let the other driver's insurer take your car away for inspection though or they'll write it off without asking you.

However they are only obliged to pay you up to the value of the car not the cost of repair ao if car is deemed to be worth £200 that is what they will pay.

I wouldn't claim (assuming it's cosmetic and drivable).

A 14 year old car is going to be written off for the smallest of damage. The figure you get back almost certainly won't be enough to replace the car.
You need to weigh up your(justified) annoyance at the driver against the hassle of having the car written off, being without it and arguing a settlement.

All that said, you could let them write it off, buy it back (at a scrap price) and get it fixed yourself.

I was run into from behind, so clearly other driver's fault.
I got a reasonable amount ,as the value of my car ( uncommon, I know).
I was free to keep the car, and as it was driveable, and not unsafe, kept it till next MOT, then sold it for scrap.

If the car's on your drive, rather than in a garage, you may find that although it technically could be regarded as now belonging to the insurance company, why would they want the hassle & expense of disposing of it themselves?

lonicera - I thought I explained why I don't want to claim. because I'm afraid they'll write it off and I'll end up with no car at all and it wasn't my fault.
Thanks evidence - I wasn't aware that it would be possible to keep the car.

Sorry. I don't understand how it works. So are you saying that the insurance company wouldn't pay anything out at all even if it wasn't your fault?

No. If I make a claim, they will come and inspect the car. Then they will decide how much the repairs will cost. If the cost of the repair is more than the value of the car (or 50% in some cases) then they will give me the money and take the car away. Then they would recover the cost from the other person's insurers.
Since my car is only worth about £500, I am worried I will end up with no car, for something that wasn't my fault. The other guy will only have to pay the excess on his insurance!

Hi , I work in insurance claims in this instance do not claim off your own insurance go directly from the third party it will avoid the mither of the excess and as they never insured your car they will probably not take it. Straight away make it clear you do not want the vehicle writing off ask for a cash in lieu payment .So they could give you £300 and you keep the car you can then get it repaired with second hand parts or just leave it and pocket the cash. For that amount they probably won’t quibble.

Oh thank you - that's so good to know. I can get it done cheaper by the 'bloke up the road' - I had no idea that was possible.

As long as the third party have admitted liability it should be quite straight forward. They will probably ask for some photos of the damage and will then make you an offer. Are you insured through a broker or direct ?

You have the option to keep the car and have the insurers pay either cost of repair or value of car less the scrap value, whichever is lowest.