240 crash, write off? Help!

[Stu B]

Sorry to see this, I remember your post when you got the car as you're pretty local to me and I recognised the photo location. Hope you're ok and can get the insurance stuff sorted amicably.

[DaveNP]

Sorry to see that. It is such a shame when a well cared for but older car gets damaged and then the insurers want to write it off.
Another possible avenue to consider, when my old Renault Espace got hit (it was parked and a woman just drove into it) the insurers offered me 'cash in lieu of damages'. To do an insurance repair they will have to use all brand new parts and do extensive respraying to blend in etc. which will cost them silly money, hence they will write it off, I accepted the offer of cash in lieu of damages and got the repair done myself, parts that were unobtainable new were sourced from breakers or improvised and repaired, I still had the car nearly as good as it was at the time of the accident, and coincidentally ended with a few quid in pocket. You would need to check what it would cost to put right and set the claim accordingly but it saved all of the write off/buy it back palaver and the question of the write off and buy back values.

[Thorn]

What the insurers have to do is assess the market value of your vehicle immediately before the accident. If you disagree with the insurance company's valuation, you can employ your own assessor to argue with them. It'll cost you, so make sure it's worth it. Paying £200 to add £100 onto the value isn't really worth it, unless "it's a matter of principle" (words that lawyers love to hear).
They will also assess the value of the salvage. You can negotiate with them to buy it back. Tell their assessor you'd like to do that when he comes to look at the car. Thereafter, provided there's no irreparable damage that could make the car unroadworthy you can put it back on the road, or if there is, you can use it for spares.
It's all down to negotiation.

[Angie]

Originally Posted by DaveNP

Sorry to see that. It is such a shame when a well cared for but older car gets damaged and then the insurers want to write it off.
Another possible avenue to consider, when my old Renault Espace got hit (it was parked and a woman just drove into it) the insurers offered me 'cash in lieu of damages'. To do an insurance repair they will have to use all brand new parts and do extensive respraying to blend in etc. which will cost them silly money, hence they will write it off, I accepted the offer of cash in lieu of damages and got the repair done myself, parts that were unobtainable new were sourced from breakers or improvised and repaired, I still had the car nearly as good as it was at the time of the accident, and coincidentally ended with a few quid in pocket. You would need to check what it would cost to put right and set the claim accordingly but it saved all of the write off/buy it back palaver and the question of the write off and buy back values.

I did the same when I reversed into some contractor's machinery and seriously damaged the tailgate. The insurer's repairers wanted mega-bucks, about £2,500 if my memory is correct and a write-off was suggested. I refused to agree to that so was offered money instead. I sourced a replacement tailgate and found a good local repairer with an interest in classic cars, all-in cost £500, pay-off from the insurers was £600! I had a better tailgate with an excellent spray job, and an extra £100 in the bank.

You must be so relieved to have got out more or less unscathed, that lovely car has really suffered but at least kept you safe, as Volvo intended. So disappointing to have put such a lot of time and money into the car only for someone else to damage it. I hope you can have it back in good order soon.

[geoffo]

Hi I've got a bonnet, wing, bumper cover, headlight, sidelight (body parts in silver) all in used condition but I'm a long way from you; I bet someone on here has a similar hoard......what about Lakes Volvo?

[volvo always]

Very sad to see, but so glad your both ok. What did the other vehicle look like after.

I myself probably wouldn't feel good with a chassis leg pulled/ straightened as if it happened again would it cause an inherit weakness?

I would buy your car back and swap over all the good parts

James

[TheLeeds]

Originally Posted by 66Lover

A - how do I get the most for it out of the insurers??
B - Repairable at an economical cost to me?
C - If not repairable how much is it likely to cost to buy it back to break for all the new parts i've fitted?

It's your car and will remain your property unless or until you sell it. There is no need to buy it back because you already own it.
Your remedy at law is to be put back into the position you would have been in if the accident had not happened. This could mean the 3rd party's insurer paying you sufficient money to purchase a very similar replacement, or it could mean you having the car repaired and the 3rd party's insurer covering the cost (and paying for a hire car for you while you're without yours).

I'd aim for the middle ground and tell the insurer that unless the money they offer you is enough to replace the car, like for like, then you will have your car repaired and pursue their insured for the costs of so doing. The insurer will have to indemnify their policyholder for the claim anyway, so basically, even though your claim would be against the driver if it had to go to court, the insurer is ultimately liable under contract to it's insured.

Your bargaining chip is the car. Do not part company with it, and do not allow it to be taken away because if you do, and like many other people have found out to their cost, you may not see it again, and of course, once you no longer have possession of it, you may struggle to regain possession if you do end up deciding to have it repaired.

As for the personal injury claim, don't let anyone push you into agreeing an early settlement. I had a similar accident a few years ago. I got whiplash, regular headaches and an ankle injury (my foot was pushed off the brake pedal by the impact). The 3rd party's insurer paid out on my car which I'd agreed wasn't worth repairing, and the costs of a courtesy car were covered until a week after they'd sent me a cheque for the total loss value.
About 4 months later, I went for a medical, and the doctor predicted I would have recovered within 6 months of the accident. I was in no hurry to settle, so I waited because I was still suffering the effects, with quite a lot of shoulder, neck and ankle pain. I exercised my right not to agree to a settlement until I was nearly free of pain, which in my case was almost 3 years later. (time limit is 3 years in normal injury cases, after which they become statute barred).

If I had agreed to settle at the end of 6 months, I would have received about £1,600, however because I waited until I was actually better, the payment reflected nearly 3 years of pain, which added up to about £4,500.

**** Edited to add......

The Financial Ombudsman Service can adjudicate in motor vehicle pre accident value disputes. This can be particularly useful in the case of a car which an owner has spent a lot of time and money on, and is therefore worth more than one in average condition. There are a few example cases on their website. If you need any more info about this, let me know and I'll find a link.

[Volvorama]

I have an SE estate with a few bits missing that you can have to source the chassis leg etc. No crash damage but rest of shell not brilliant, however.

[NI_Volvo_Nut]

Ok, listen carefully - the insurance will argue this point!

If this was not your fault and has been proven you are the innocent (in the eyes of the law I mean, I have no reason not to believe what you say) you can force the insurance company to repair the car - unless of course it can not physically be repaired.

Good luck with your claim

[66Lover]

Thanks for the replies all. Very grateful for the kind words.

Has been particularly stressful as we've been moving house! Was going to use the 240 estate to do this but have had to rely on family cars. Not been a good couple of weeks to say the least. Moving house with neck pains is no fun.

As per previous thread I've put together some photos, reports from shows and all work done since my ownership into a Word document.

I had a local 240 specialist look at the car who advised that, as I thought, putting car onto a jig and repairing bent chassis leg may be costly.

There is a car not to far away that I like the look of... would be worth swapping all my new / recon / mods over onto.... if the SE is not repairable that is.

Engineer visit tomorrow (Wed) so let the fun begin. Ready to turn down first offer...