General Been bumped!

[minisandfiats]

I was innocently driving my 53 JTD through Ikea car park in Nottingham on Saturday evening when a lady pulled out of a space and hit the side of my car. After first telling me I was going to fast and should have had my lights on (it was 7.30 and light), I ignored her and started taking photos saying I'll let the insurance companies decide. We exchanged details, hers rang me today and guess what? It's her fault! Haha!

Anyway she dented and scratched both doors about 2ft on each. The airbag light came on today, but I did the trick from the forum (orange plugs) and now it's off. Bloke is coming from repairers on Friday to arrange repairs.

What I would like to know is is it likely to be written off? Car is on great condition despite 150k and I love it! But I know what insurers are like and how they love slapping a cat D on older cars. Of course I can buy back salvage and fix it myself (not a problem, bit of hammering, filler and paint!), but I don't want to lose car!

Long post I know but what do people think? Will they write it off?

 

[boilermansab]

Yes...
By it back for peanuts and re register it and pocket the money if its a good un!
Buyback is typically 10% of the write off figure! Be prepared to barter on what they offer...my previous car started at £1k and I ended up with £1850, so shows they do have movement..need proof so look on autotrader etc

 

[dave]

tell the dude you want a cash in lue payment

 

[minisandfiats]

Interesting! Thanks for feedback. How do I re register car if it is written off?

 

[dave]

if its a cat D no need
if its a cat c you need a vic check
if its a cat B or A you cant put it back on the road.

if you get a cash in lue of diy repair you wont have any cat on it

 

[momoe]

Wouldn't bother with filling, S/H doors are around £40 each on Ebay and you might get a 2 for £70 if you ask around. If it's driveable hold out for the right colour!
Offering her cash in lieu is a good idea as it saves the cat D, but you have make it worth it, if she's got protected NCD then she probably won't go for it.

Car is probably worth around £1800 so economically you'll better off buying it back although I'd expect buyback to be around £200, maybe a bit more - scrappies around here are offering min. £200 for anything running, MOT not required!

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

tell the dude you want a cash in lue payment

:yeahthat:

Tell them your not willing to let them write it off. Advise cash in lue, or they repair it.

If they don't play ball advise you'll get it repaired and see them in small claims court

You need to go direct through other partys insurance company though, involve yours and it can get messy!

 

[dave]

did my punto through my on insurers and it went smooth, didnt even have to ask for cash in lue it was offered. they did know i was a member here though.
man said as i was a member of fiat forum it was clear i would be able to sort repair my self so said they will pay cash in lue and put no cat on the car,

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

did my punto through my on insurers and it went smooth, didnt even have to ask for cash in lue it was offered. they did know i was a member here though.
man said as i was a member of fiat forum it was clear i would be able to sort repair my self so said they will pay cash in lue and put no cat on the car,

Fair enough, sounds like a very reasonable company to deal with tbh, a shame they're no all like that. Diamond were good when it came to similar with the Stilo, but they were planning on repairing it anyway, I just refused to let it go to their approved repairer so they settled cash in lue and I sorted it myself

 

[minisandfiats]

Latest on this... They wanted to take my car away for 7-10 days to value repairs on it... I told them no way as it might not come back! So took it to local accident place who gave me a quote of

£2156.25!!!!!

To fit new doors and spray them! Getting them to fax this to Direct Line who I'm guessing will write it off. Planning to buy back salvage and fit new doors off EBay. I reckon value of car is around £1800-£2k (Free Glass's valuation put car at £2600-£3k from dealers!) so will haggle for best I can get and keep/re-register car if necessary!
What do you think?

 

[urchin]

where abouts are you mate? im near nottingham might be able to help you find some doors local.

 

[minisandfiats]

West Hallam, Ilkeston. If you know of some grey doors then that's great. Thanks!

 

[urchin]

I thought it was you! its Richard I used to live on the street opposite you I drive the old silver panda 4x4 and my missis has the blue multipla. ill ask about mate have you tried salvo at heanor?

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Planning to buy back salvage and fit new doors off EBay.

Don't need to buy it back, as its your car, and your claiming from a 3rd party - they have no right no salvage. If they don't want to repair it, as mentioned above, insist on a cash in lue settlement rather than them wiriting it off, and if they do write it off advise them you want it to be a CAT D and not a CAT C

 

[minisandfiats]

Thanks for replies! Lots of stuff to argue with them when they get back to me! Thinking I might just say give me £1500 and forget about it (only paid £1400 for car!).
Thanks Richard thought you might be on here haha! Love the retro Panda by the way, particularly the alternative "ELV" sticker!

Weirdly enough, I think you helped me sell a Mk5 Cortina ages ago (2003?) as well?!? Again thanks for replies will keep you all posted on developments!

 

[dado1975]

Hey, i had a guy back into me just before xmas. His insurance wrote it off after initially saying they'd repair it and taking it away for nearly 3 weeks! Had courtesy card from them of course so wasn't too bad, stupid zafira though, give me my multi anyday thanks.

Anyway, their initial offer to me was to give me car back with salvage value deducted from the amount they'd give me. Can't remember exact figures but something like they reckoned £1100 quid value and salvage £450 so they wanted me to take car back and £650. So their default offer sounds like exactly what you want. That was admiral i think. Do negotiate on value though, and don't be shy. Let them start the offer and don't be rushed into agreeing to anything. I stupidly said £1400 and the girl on the phone agreed immediately. Sounds like i could have got them up more if i'd started higher.

 

[minisandfiats]

Had bloke round today to look- he rang back and said cat C write off as expected. Offered (and taken) £1400, which I'm happy with really as only paid that for car! So now on lookout for dark grey doors! Contacted Salvo too.
Thanks for advice!

 

[urchin]

Yes I remember the cortina I used to run the owners club for them, I came with a guy to look at yours when you lived on duke st you had half a mini that you where turning into a seat or a BBQ? Small world
I have six fiats now and get around the scrapyards regular so I will keep a look out for some doors we have moved onto high lane now so I'm still local, if you ever need any help with the multipla let me know.

 

[boilermansab]

You should be able to buy it back for £140...which is what I done with my last car

 

[minisandfiats]

Yes, we sold the 2 halves of Mini before we moved to West Hallam! Not very much left of it- was mostly rust and rabbit hair by the time it had spent 10 years in a garden haha! I liked that Cortina, but it was rather shagged (also very rusty!)
Thanks for offer with Multi! I love your Panda- proper cool!