Road traffic accidents are unpredictable and more frustrating when they’re not your fault. We get more annoyed and frustrated when our vehicle sustains damages and is declared a Write-off.
Your insurance will pay for your write-off vehicle, but reviewing your insurance agreement is essential.
After an accident, we can repair our written-off vehicle if it belongs to Category S or N.
If the accident was not your fault, you want to claim your vehicle damages against the insurers of the faulty driver, and you have to pay no cost.
To claim your vehicle, you need to get all the required information from the faulty driver, such as his insurance name and contact details. The information required is the vehicle registration number and the driver’s name; we will do the rest.
What is a car write-off?
If your insurance company has declared your vehicle un-roadworthy, this is because your vehicle repairs are too expensive.
Write-Off Vehicles Categories
There are different types of written-off vehicles. Here are some:
• A Category: Scrapped and Severe Damage. These types of vehicles cannot be sold or repaired.
• B Category: Some vehicle parts in this category can be sold or salvaged.
• S Category: The vehicles in this category have structure damage and can be repaired.
• N Category: Vehicles in this category have non-structural damage and can be repaired. Non-structure damage includes steering and brakes; we can repair or replace them.
What happens to my insurance policy if my Vehicle is Written Off?
If you are involved in an accident and your Vehicle is written off, your insurance premium will be affected.
Your insurance will ask you not to drive the un-roadworthy Vehicle as it is
• Not safe to drive a roadworthy vehicle.
• Expensive Repairs
• Vehicle Damaged Parts are Expensive
Key Points
Claim against the faulty driver
You can claim against the faulty driver’s insurance if your Vehicle is written off.
Settlement
Your insurance company will pay the settlement amount based on the market value of your Vehicle minus the excess, if any.
Claim Bonus
It depends on your insurance policy, and your claim bonus will remain untouched.
Un Insured Driver
If the other Vehicle’s driver is insured, we can claim through the Motor Insurer Bureau (MIB). We will provide them with all the information for a successful claim. If your insurance is comprehensive, you can claim your insurance, and you have to pay no excess if the uninsured driver is at fault.
Immediate Steps to Follow
- Contact your finance provider: If your car is declared roadworthy, your first step is to contact your finance provider. Inform him about the required procedures and documentation. Your insurance has to pay the remaining amount.
- Contact your insurance : The next step is to contact your insurance company to report that your vehicle has been written off and that the accident was not your fault. To settle the claim, you will need to provide all the required documentation, including:
- Details of the accident
- Photos of the damage
- Witness statements
- Police report (if applicable)
- Any medical reports related to injuries
Providing all necessary information ensures a quicker and smoother claims process. If you need assistance, our team can help guide you through the process to ensure your claim is settled promptly.
- Notify DVLA: Contact the DVLA to inform them of your vehicle’s write-off status. This ensures that their records are updated accordingly. You must also send them the V5 logbook and a copy of all relevant documents.
Compensation for your Written-Off Vehicle
You may be entitled to compensation for your written-off vehicle based on its pre-accident value, minus any excess. Please note that the pay-out may not fully cover the cost of a new car. The amount you receive will depend on your specific claim. To ensure timely payment, it is important to inform your insurance company within 24 to 48 hours.
Replacing for your Written-Off Vehicle
You can use the insurance pay-out to upgrade or replace your written-off vehicle. The funds received may allow you to purchase a new car, depending on the compensation amount.
How will insurance decide if my Vehicle is off?
Your insurance will check the vehicle damages and will declare it right off if the value of the damage is:
• Ratio to repair value
• If the vehicle value is £10,000 and a repair-to-value ratio of 60% was applied, it is uneconomical to proceed with the repairs.
• Your insurance will ask the vehicle assessor to assess and compile a report.
• The assessor will arrange a vehicle inspection and work on the cost.
What information is needed to claim my insurance?
Your insurance will need the following information to make a claim.
• Insurance policy number
• Personal details of the faulty party, such as contact number, address, and insurance name. Etc
• Details of the other parties involved, including vehicle registration numbers
• Witness details
• If the driver of the Vehicle is not the registered keeper, you will also get the registered keeper’s details.
Why to inform my Insurer?
We must inform our insurance company about the accident so it should be in their knowledge, and they should not compensate anyone without your permission.
Courtesy Vehicles
If your car is written off after a car accident that is not your fault, we can claim directly from the faulty party’s insurance. This also removes any excess payment requirement and can reduce the total claim costs to the at-fault insurance company through speed and efficiency of service.
It is more efficient and convenient to make a claim directly when our car is written off. During the write-off claim process, we provide a like-for-like courtesy vehicle to keep you on the road until you receive your vehicVehiclee-off payment.
Our objective is to save you time and costs, such as policy excess, and enable you to replace your written-off Vehicle with the exact Vehicle without any further financial loss.
Road tax
After your car has been declared written off, you can cancel your road tax and inform DVLA that you no longer have the Vehicle.
What Happens If I Refuse to Write off My Vehicle?
After an accident, if your Vehicle falls into a specific category, our insurance will check the damages and allow repairs based on its value. Vehicle needs to ensure that your car is timely after the repairs.
If your Vehicle has a scratch and the insurance has declared it unroadworthy, the repair amount will be less than the car’s value. We can repair our Vehicle at the approved garages and ensure it’s roadworthy.
Do I still need to make my payments?
If your vehicle is written off and you have outstanding finance, you must continue making the agreed-upon monthly payments. This is because the insurance pay-out typically covers only a portion of the remaining loan balance. It’s essential to promptly inform your finance provider about the situation and discuss the next steps.
Options for a Damaged Vehicle Not Written Off:
If your vehicle has been damaged but not declared a write-off, you have several options:
- Repair the Vehicle: You can choose to repair your vehicle, either through insurance or at your own expense, to restore it to a roadworthy condition.
- Sell the Vehicle: If you opt not to repair it, you can sell it as-is. Be transparent about the damage to potential buyers, as it will affect the vehicle’s value.
- Scrap the Vehicle: Alternatively, you can scrap the vehicle at an authorized treatment facility. The facility will handle the disposal and recycling process in compliance with environmental regulations.
Regardless of your choice, you must continue making finance payments until the loan is fully settled. Failure to do so can result in penalties or damage your credit rating. Always communicate with your finance provider to ensure you understand your obligations and any potential impact on your loan agreement.
