Pulling in to my local Tesco's this morning I was reversed into by a young lady.

Minor but annoying damage.

Phoned the insurance to be told that according to there estimate calculator it will be written off, pending a visit from their assessor.

Options:

Carry on with the claim, let it get squashed and try and find a replacement. (That would break my heart)

Carry on with the claim and buy it back, fix it up but have a Cat C on the record.

Cancel the claim and do repairs myself (Second hand bonnet, Fog light) and get the money off the other party.


Any other ideas greatly appreciated.

Not the first. You'll be most in profit by the second, but the car will be significantly devalued. The third would seem the best option to me.

Best option is the last one, but the penultimate one is also OK. Cat C is no big deal in my eyes, because the Coupé can be written off for not much more than a scratch. I bought my Inky VT6 as a Cat C write off and it's just sailed through second MOT since I bought it. Certainly not a problem if you intend to keep it.

There my be a 4th opition. Negociate a cash settlement in lieu of the repair and don't let the car be classified as a right-off. If it is clearly not you fault you can push for the car to be repaired regardless of the cost. Don't be bullied by the insurance company. I was in a similar position when someone reversed into my door. I got £1500 cash settlement.

maybe consider a classic car policy next time its renewed... to insure you for an agreed value.. say 15K or so. i know it doesn't help you right now, but just an idea.

Was going to say cash settlement.

Bonnet and respray of it, plus a sidelight. Any damage to slam panel or chassis?

Option 3 for me. If you can get the repair done for the money she is prepared to give you that is.

Never knew you could do that. I'm insured with Adrian flux and insured mine for what I paid for it, but I've always thought God forbid anything happened I'd be massively out of pocket considering the money I've spent. I always thought they gave you what they think it's worth

That valuation has to be substantiated, by having a specialist confirming this.

15k is sadly a little optimistic for any of our coupes currently!

A lot depends on the insurance assessor you get on the day. When I was T-boned on a KLR600 the assessor asked me what I wanted to do, he agreed a value for the bike and said that he could write it off and have it broken or write it off as what would now be a CatC and let me buy it from the insurers for a nominal sum. I chose the later and sold it to a mate who rebuilt it and rode around on it for a couple of years.

Regards

Keith

I know of a couple, Dan. Mine is covered for 10k.

Push for option 4 per Ecrab as a first action. I have heard the same, that if a third party is at fault, you can insist on a repair or a cash settlement without the car being written off.

If this proves difficult, then cat C and keep the car.

Sorry to hear Mik! Option 3 is the way to go. Is is just the bonnet thats damaged? I know good ones are getting scarce but someone clipped mine a while ago on the same corner. On Motor-Mechs reccomendation I took it to PMS In Birmingham - right by Pauls old unit. They did a terrific job.........

UPDATE

Thanks goes to Ecrab for option 4

They wanted to write it off but with everyone's advice I pushed for this option and it worked. Not written off and a cash settlement not much of one but enough to fix it.

Like people have said above "don,t let the b@£?@£Ds bully you".

And relax.

Nice one! Well done both of you.