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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Accident (not my fault)

97 replies

Beanbaggirl · 31/03/2021 19:13

Not really AIBU but posting here for traffic.

My car was driven into today, the driver of the other vehicle took full responsibility and I had a phone call from her insurance company about 10 minutes after getting home.

They’ve told me not to contact my insurance company as they will deal with it their end as the driver has taken full responsibility.

The side back door on the driver’s side is damaged and a family member has said it may be a write off due to cost of body work and the repaint plus labour, may be more than value of the car.
What happens if it is? Can I still drive the car? Do I get to buy a new one for the same price from the insurer? This is all new to me.

It’s a 2014 Reg car with around 41,000 miles on the clock.

OP posts:
CandidaDoyle · 01/04/2021 11:15

I had a non-fault car accident about 6 years ago and had a call from the other chaps insurance company almost straight away.

I emailed over my e.receipts from the car seats which were in the car at the time and they had reimbursed me the same day.

I was injured in the accident and I accepted their offer of physio - which meant I could start treatment within a matter of days.

However If you are experiencing whiplash symptoms be prepared that they might offer you a low-ish amount to end the personal injury claim. I think they offered £1k the day after the accident. However, I was in pain for nearly two years and my final settlement was actually much more than that.

If you are injured, you will be better off appointing your own legal representation (it may be covered with your own insurance) than engaging in their low ball offers.

Original poster
Beanbaggirl · 01/04/2021 11:15

@gobbynorthernbird it hasn’t been written off yet

OP posts:
AyyMacarena · 01/04/2021 11:47

As @gobbynorthernbird says, if you accept their money as a cash settlement the car will be written off anyway with the claim on your history so you may as well go through them and get it fixed fully and properly.

I also work in insurance but more the end of life aspect once deemed a total loss and agree that LV are one of the better companies.

You need to notify your insurance. At least call them back and clarify why they have asked you not to inform them.

How bad is the damage? If it is written off, it really will be safer to get another car. Even if they say it is a CAT N, it's all opinion based with no science so you could easily be getting in a structurally damaged car without knowing.

AyyMacarena · 01/04/2021 11:52

Also, those saying insurance will offer a low ball figure isn't necessarily true. They will use book price or some fashion there of. Most people send in examples online to get the figure raised but they are almost always completely different examples of the same model eg 55k miles less, higher spec, more options etc etc. Some adjust this figure differently so you may be a few hundred quid out but this but does use science so the figure is accurate. Any changes will likely be based on the cars standard seasonality changes. For example, may to sept convertibles are worth more. Nobody buys in December so prices drop etc.

moose62 · 01/04/2021 12:29

This happened to me a month ago. I told my insurance as that is what I pay for and it would invalidate my policy if I didn't. As the other driver admitted responsibility, u was given a car hire by enterprise who claimed the price from the other driver. I did not lose my no claims bonus and my insurer waved the excess. Unfortunately my car was a write off and originally copart (salvage) made me an offer for my vehicle which I refused. They then offered me another £1000 which are also refused. I made a complaint to the insurance company on the basis that the insurance is replacing the vehicle like for like at current market value. They finally settled at £2000 more than the original offer. I was paid out the next day and have purchased another car. It is important that you know that you don't have to accept a payout offer and can argue it.

Original poster
Beanbaggirl · 01/04/2021 14:16

I’ll attach a photo of the car’s damage.

It’s a 2014 year and has 41,000 on the clock. I looked for the same year and similar miles on autotrader under my make & model and they’re being sold on there for just over £4K.
If it’s written off I’d really like to buy it make and have repairs done as it’s a great car and doesn’t use a lot of fuel, it’s great to drive and is a decent sized engine.

OP posts:
Original poster
Beanbaggirl · 01/04/2021 14:17

Here’s the damage

Accident (not my fault)
OP posts:
AyyMacarena · 01/04/2021 14:31

Ooof! That's on three panels, that will be a write off. Doesn't look like the sills are damaged so would be a CAT N non structural uneconomical repair, in my opinion. 🤓

Was that trade sales on autotrader?

AyyMacarena · 01/04/2021 14:33

Actually the bit behind the door my make it an S. I wouldn't ask for that to be repaired anyway. Just shit about the service you just had.

Original poster
Beanbaggirl · 01/04/2021 15:11

@AyyMacarena that was a price based on sellers on autotrader, I’m not sure whether it’s trade sales or not.
Well the guy I took it to this morning said he’d source a second hand door and can sort out the panel work, it’s a bodywork garage. So I’m still hoping it won’t be written off if he uses a second hand door.
Why would you advise not to buy it back? I’m just wondering as it drives fine, it’s only cosmetic.

OP posts:
AyyMacarena · 01/04/2021 15:15

But if you're paying him for such repairs you would have to stop the ins claim and have the third party pay for your repairs away from ins. Otherwise it will most likely be written off. You should be told how much repairs are and how much the car was worth I damaged. If it's 50% ish you may be able to sway them.

As they're already involved and it's already documented, you will have to declare it and have it on your record which will affect your premium at renewal, regardless of no claims protection. You may as well go through the insurance now.

I wouldn't want a car that had been damaged like that. Each to their own though.

Original poster
Beanbaggirl · 01/04/2021 15:19

@AyyMacarena he’s giving me a quote to give to the third party insurance company. Then they’ll decide about paying for it or whether to write it off, but if it’s a write off, I’m hoping I can buy it back from them, once they’ve paid me out. I think that’s correct? This is all new to me and very confusing.

OP posts:
CuriousaboutSamphire · 01/04/2021 15:20

The damage includes the wheel, wheel arch and structures behind it. That would make me think twice too!

Original poster
Beanbaggirl · 01/04/2021 15:20

It’s all being done through the other driver’s insurance as they were at fault, my insurance company isn’t involved.

OP posts:
Original poster
Beanbaggirl · 01/04/2021 15:22

So say it’s a write off and I decide not to buy it back, will the third party insurance allow me to have a hire car until I can buy a similar car for the money they give me? I can’t be without a car, I live in a rural area and I have a 2 year old. I already suffer with anxiety issues, so I can feel the panic rising now.

OP posts:
AyyMacarena · 01/04/2021 15:23

Is he one of their approved insurers? He can give them a quote and you can ask them to take note of it but they're unlikely to accept as they will have their own way of doing it.

LV will have their own prices worked out by a third party agent which will be used to determine extent of damage and if it's a write off.

You absolutely should be able to buy it back from them. They won't give you market value, they will give you market value minus their matrix value for retention. Then you can look to use that to get it fixed. Make sure LV or your insurer fully explain your options to you and you fully understand.

There are enough people here to be able to help you too!

Have you called your insurance yet?

AyyMacarena · 01/04/2021 15:25

You will get a courtesy car. I think most let you have one until 7 days after they've paid you out. That's all dependant on their policy tho.

gobbynorthernbird · 01/04/2021 15:27

You probably won't have to buy it back, they'll just send you the value minus what the salvage value would be.

They should give you a hire car, should you decide to scrap it, but it will be for a limited time.

safariboot · 01/04/2021 15:30

My 2 pence, if your preferred garage can assure you there's no structural damage, and can quote for a repair to a standard you're happy with (maybe using second-hand parts), and LV are prepared to pay that, then that avoids the writeoff and could be a good thing for you. A cat N writeoff can be more expensive to insure and less valuable when resold. I always think that a car you know can be worth more to you than "market price" because the market prices in the risk it's a money-pit lemon.

Of course if it is a money-pit lemon you might be happy for the writeoff.

Sillyduckseverywhere · 01/04/2021 15:31

LV are awesome. They've dealt with 2 accidents where others have hit me.
I'd still chat to your insurance company though

Thedogissnoring · 01/04/2021 15:31

OP, this happened to us, no fault hit on passenger's side. The car was older than yours and suffered door damage only. Written off immediately by our insurance company. This was because it was uneconomical.

If we bought it back and got the door replaced (£200 for new door, £100 for labour) it would be a Cat S and ridiculous to insure and sell on - loss of value would be greater.

Contact your insurance. Do you have legal protection on your policy? They can help with injury claims.

Also your insurance premium will go up, despite it not being your fault. Sorry.

Woeismethischristmas · 01/04/2021 15:42

I bumped a neighbours car and my insurance called and emailed her. Apparently this helps the person not at fault as thier no claims discount is not effected.

lockeddownandcrazy · 01/04/2021 15:50

Let the insurance deal with it. If you dont and they dont repair it, or dont do it properly, you are in big trouble.

SoupDragon · 01/04/2021 15:53

Also your insurance premium will go up, despite it not being your fault. Sorry.

Mine didn't so it is not universally true.

QuizzlyBear · 01/04/2021 15:55

We were driven into from behind while waiting at a stoplight and our car written off. I wish we hadn't contacted our insurance company though as at our next renewal our premiums went sky high as apparently their 'algorithms' said we were at higher risk of an accident going forward. Despite being stationary at the time. Bastards...