Guess the damage

Mr.Stu · 10 Jan 2012 at 14:28

Neighbours reversed into the car, admitted full liability. Car is a 2001 Volvo S60, worth no more than £2k.

Will it be anywhere near a write off? As far as I can see its just the door. However it won't open and its clearly come away from the rear seam. Lock is popped out a bit too.

Any advice in terms of the insurance process? Replacement car etc. First time I've had to call the insurance company in 8 years!

Logsi · 10 Jan 2012 at 14:31

That will be a write off.

Will Gill · 10 Jan 2012 at 14:31

As it's a ten year old car the insurance company would probably write it off even if it only actually requires a replacement door.

that's just my opinion my love x

TaKeN · 10 Jan 2012 at 14:32

What on earth did they reverse into your car with? :eek:

-Ad- · 10 Jan 2012 at 14:33

TaKeN said:
What on earth did they reverse into your car with?

With that much damage to a volvo I reckon a Abrams MBT.

MeEsH BaKkA · 10 Jan 2012 at 14:34

I would say it's a write off if your car is valued at 2k TBH.

Edit: beaten....

Firestar_3x · 10 Jan 2012 at 14:34

You could be very lucky with the location of the damage, seems to be nothing on the rear quarter or B pillar.

Nomisf · 10 Jan 2012 at 14:38

I would be tempted on a car that age to see if I can kick the door open from inside - looks like you may have escaped any serious damage (sills and rear quarter dont APPEAR to be damaged) if only the door is damaged I would pick one up from a breakers and be done with it, if other stuff is broke, then just continue through the insurance.

BluSky · 10 Jan 2012 at 14:40

As above the insurance company will probably try to right it off, however that doesnt mean you have to accept their decision immediately - i.e. there is room for haggling. For instance you are perfectly within your rights to ask them what the repair was valued at, and for a breakdown of why it costs that much and exactly what damage has been done. From there, depending on what they say, it can be possible to pay the difference between the value of the car and the repairs, to have it repaired. Obviously this depends on value from your point of view - so excess you would normally pay etc, but you get the point.

The damage doesnt look terrible and expensive parts like the front wing seem to be ok, but it is hard to tell from just that one photo. Try your luck and see where it gets you. but no matter what they say, dont accept their first offer, from my experience you can always do better.

Mr.Stu · 10 Jan 2012 at 14:42

Guy is adamant he wants to go through insurance as hes got protected no claims, so not getting any money out of him!

Literally had the MOT/service/tax done last Friday, epic timing!

Mr.Stu · 10 Jan 2012 at 14:44

Another pic

Haze · 10 Jan 2012 at 14:51

is your neighbour blind ? that looks like quite a hard hit, not like u drive a small hard to see car :S

[TW]Fox · 10 Jan 2012 at 14:57

If they insist on writing it off, buy it back and just stick a new door on it.

BlastRadius · 10 Jan 2012 at 14:57

Obviously I am wrong.. but I didn't think an insurance company could write off the non fault claimant?

Unlucky by the way, just be glad nobody was injured.

Irish_Tom · 10 Jan 2012 at 15:10

Can't you just get a new door from a scrapyard or is there more structural damage that we cant see?

Mr.Stu · 10 Jan 2012 at 15:16

Haze said:
is your neighbour blind ? that looks like quite a hard hit, not like u drive a small hard to see car :S

Indeed! Massive yellow object, quick reverse at max speed...

[TW]Fox;20997579 said:
If they insist on writing it off, buy it back and just stick a new door on it.

Is it as simple as that? What value should I expect to buy it at? Would it then be cat C/D?

Panzerbjorn said:
Can't you just get a new door from a scrapyard or is there more structural damage that we cant see?

Yes I would like to do this, as aside from now having a huge dent in the side, its a perfect car for 2 days a week I use it up and down the M42!

agnes · 10 Jan 2012 at 15:19

[TW]Fox;20997579 said:
If they insist on writing it off, buy it back and just stick a new door on it.

And then do what? Sell it for spares? He would lose out lol.

Firestar_3x · 10 Jan 2012 at 15:20

agnes said:
And then do what? Sell it for spares? He would lose out lol.

ubersonic · 10 Jan 2012 at 15:24

agnes said:
And then do what? Sell it for spares? He would lose out lol.

Er, im guessing keep it, how would he lose out unless he bought a brand new door? The cost of buying it back from the insurer and sourcing a door won't be greater than the write off payout.

agnes · 10 Jan 2012 at 15:31

Nevermind, moment of herpness... Thought you wasn't able to re'insure a vehicle that had been written off.

Derp!