Car Write off - Hastings

russell664 · 23 Feb 2022 at 13:15

Hi all,

The missis was hit by an idiot driving an Audi way to quick in a carpark.She came around the corner way too quickly and hit my missus mid lane change. Thankfully everyone is ok.

The car is a MK5 GolF GT Sport.

Our insurance is hastings direct - The car has sendimental value to it. The assessor said it would be a write off, they damage is a bent drivers side sill, and bent door. He said that it can be pulled out, but the approved repairer has to have 'all new parts'.

The car has sentimental value - And we would wish to keep it.
The car is driveable - The wheels arches are untouched.

Has anyone had experience with Hastings, and do they let you buy your car back?
I can't really find too much online about it.

It has taken 1 month to get this far - We are awaiting a final decision and it is a horrible wait!

russell664 · 23 Feb 2022 at 13:45

We have the car, we have been driving it around as it is driveable.

So, the insurer has never had it in thier possession in the first place. A part from the quick look and quote from the repair centre.

russell664 · 23 Feb 2022 at 14:18

Sirrel Squirrel said:
Sorry I just have to point out that it is spelled 'sentimental'

Thank you for the constructive help.
My ridiculous spelling has been corrected.

russell664 · 23 Feb 2022 at 14:20

SupraWez said:
Cant you get another garage to quote for the repair at cheaper rate using 2nd hand parts and put that to the insurer?

They will only use their 'Approved' workshops unfortunately - That was something what was asked.

We have said to them that we wish to keep the car. I was wondering if anyone on here has done the same with success.
Can't really see much online about Hastings specifically. I do know that other insurers let you buy back, while some don't.

russell664 · 23 Feb 2022 at 14:33

Sirrel Squirrel said:
Don't want to look like a knob when you write to the insurance co

It has been all over phone thus far.
I was asking a simple question if anyone else on here has dealt with the same thing with Hastings. Not, let's be a grammar Nazi and pick at anything not relevant to the question.
If you don't have anything constructive to add. Then please, sod off.

SupraWez said:
The car belongs to you, not the insurer, it only becomes the insurers property if you accept an offer from them.

Ah perfect. That makes sense. I have never needed to actually claim anything before so am very unfamiliar with how it all works.

The accident happened 1 month ago to the day. Took 2 weeks to get the car looked at, then a further two weeks to get to this point. The engineering team spoke to my partner basically saying that it will be an 'uneconomical repair' but couldn't provide any further information. He said that hastings will be in touch with our options, category and if we can buy it back or not.

it is literally the drivers door (Dented and bent) and the sill which can be pulled out.

I really hope that we can - Speaking to our local trustworthy garage it will cost around £800-£1000 to put right. The car has been valued at around £3,500.

russell664 · 23 Feb 2022 at 15:04

Mercenary Keyboard Warrior said:
Yeah so it will have a CAT rating that says uneconomic repair.
These are exactly the cars people buy to do up and move on

You will need to declare it as such.

All on the assumption that Hastings will let you buy it off them. Generally insurers do as it saves them a job, they just send you a cheque for the difference and cancel your policy.

Sentimental value? You mean first date right

Haha no mate. It has been in my partners family for a while, it was her dads old car and it has been really well looked after. Low miles, and it just a really nice car. We wouldn't get one like it for the current prices in the market. We want to keep it for a few years then get a new one. We've had it 4 years already!

SupraWez said:
Its strange that they forcing you to use their approved repairer, I know its preferred but I have never had issues using another garage once a quote was provided.

Yeah it is a strange one. The information page has updated on our claims, they are going to be in touch within 1 working day. Hopefully with good news.

russell664 · 28 Feb 2022 at 08:21

Cheers for all the help guys.

We got to keep it, it is a CAT N. Thjey offered £3,500 for them to keep in, or £2,5000 for us to keep it. We are going to have someone look at it tomorrow, we was quoted no more than £1,000 to fix it.
I reckon the door can be beaten out, the sill just needs to be either welded and pulled, or bashed from other side with a bit of filler.