Car Insurance - can anyone advise me re non-fault accident / car write off?

[ElectricRoci]

Hi, hoping someone can advise me re a boring car insurance question. Posted on the chat board too for traffic

I drive an old (but v reliable) car and was involved in a non fault accident a couple of months ago - hit by a council bin lorry.

I let my insurance company know but did not start a claim because was pretty sure they would write the car off - the damage to my car was cosmetic only (scrapes on the paintwork) but most likely would cost more to repair than the market value of the car.

I also notified the council as I was hoping they would pay for repairs to my car and have been told by the council that this has been passed to their insurers, but it’s just occurred to me that they will most likely write my car off too. What was I thinking! 🙄

I really can’t afford a new car at the moment, and will not be able to replace my car with anything decent with the amount of money I will get if the car is written off.

Does anyone know if I can contact the council’s insurance company and tell them I do not want the claim to proceed? If I do am I likely to liable for any costs?

If the car is written off and I am able to buy it back will I loose my insurance and will It be difficult to insure the car again?

Thanks to anyone whose made it to the end of my post and sorry for the dull question, just wondering if anyone can advise me on the best way forward.

I don't know if it always happens but I know of 2 insurance write offs where the person was able to buy back the car, at a discount.
Obviously it would have a Cat C / D (or whatever) marker on it but doesn't sound like you would mind too much.

If it's written off then ensure you are happy with the value offered as you can argue back with evidence, they wouldn't definitely increase it but may do if you can find other examples of your car for sale.

You don't need to inform them in advance that you don't want to proceed.

You can decide what you want to do once it's been looked at and you've heard back from them.

No, it wouldn't be hard to get insurance for it if you buy it bag as a Cat N or whatever but obviously any future payout - if it got smashed up again, for example, would be affected by its Cat status.

Thanks @TheOneWithUnagi and @CagneyAndLazy, good to know I can choose not to proceed, I think I’d rather continue to drive the car with a scrape than have the car written off. What a palaver!

I would go through insurance as you’ve already informed them so it’s a claim.
I had a lorry back into my car and claimed a few years ago - I just sent photos and assessors phoned and wanted to write it off.
I gave info on recent service history and low mileage and got offered extra payment; also I was allowed to buy my car back for £200 so I took that option. It had to have a new mot but is fine to drive.