Insurance issue (hit by 3rd party)

[Puggie]

Hi All

Just looking for a bit of advice, my RS6 ownership has been somewhat impacted by a careless lorry driver see below:



His insurance are admitting full liability and calling this a total loss (repair bill is just north of £5k), and I just want a bit of advice on where I stand. As far as I'm concerned, his insurance owe me a like for like car, based on the fact they are responsible for putting me back to my pre accident status (as far as I'm concerned). But they are talking about a payout based on the Parkers/gasses/cap gudes. So here we have a slight discrepancy in value.

I suspect there offer will be based of the £7-8k glass's value less 25% for it being a prior Cat-D, so £5.5-6.5k or there abouts.

Now I have just lost a 3 week old RS6 which despite being a Cat-D was in excellent condition (just viewed a 60k mile car and both interior and exterior of mine was better), was a dealer purchase with warranty. So frankly I want a local dealer car with some warranty as fall back if I find issues, I'd like it to be local too as I havn't the time to trek over the country finding a car (baby due in about 3 weeks). I'd like a dark colour with light interior (Black, Mugello, Grey), and no sunroof as I need the headroom (I'm over 6'4" and need to get a baby seat behind me).

Where do I stand?

[Ian_C]

If its already a Cat D, let the other parties insurers write it off, pay out, you buy the car back, and get it repaired where you like. Simples.

[Puggie]

Its more about the value of the payout, if I bought a (independent) dealer car with warranty, surely they should be paying out a value of an equivalent locally sourced car?

[chunky79]

Its more about the value of the payout, if I bought a (independent) dealer car with warranty, surely they should be paying out a value of an equivalent locally sourced car?

I'd doubt insurance will pay out over what Parker's or the like value them at.
It's sh1t when your car gets damaged, especially when it's an older car.
What are you actually looking for back, the price you paid for this car? What did you pay considering it's a cat d? Must be below £6.5k.

[Puggie]

I paid just over 7k and have since spent about £750 on parts and considerable time round a full engine service, timing belt and gearbox service. I looked at a few cars, some lower mileage and newer and up to 10k 'cherished' examples, this had by far the best bodywork, interior and general condition. The Cat-D was a very good repair. I'm looking for my costs back, ID barely had it 3 weeks, my gripe is I can't find another black car with silver leather and no sunroof for that kind of money.

Frankly I want to be back in the situation I was in before the accident that was in no way may fault. With a decent RS 6, dark car light leather, no sunroof and up to 130k miles with a warranty on it, decent cat d would be fine I don't have the time to chase the length of the country for one.

[HYFR]

If its already a Cat D, let the other parties insurers write it off, pay out, you buy the car back, and get it repaired where you like. Simples.

This.

[Shinobi675]

Make sure you have sent EVERY receipt to the insurance company and also detail every hour you have spent on it.

But... As they say, buy it back! No brainier mate.

[tanoga]

Don't shot the messenger You purchased the car only 3 weeks ago If you'd paid £15k for the car you'd be waving the receipt in front of the insurers demanding that sort of pay out as it was only 3 weeks ago. Putting the boot on the other foot, if the insurers ask you for the receipt and it shows you only paid say £5k for the car only 3 weeks ago it's obvious to me what figure they're going to offer. The point I'm trying to make is that as the total lose has happened within such a short time after you purchased the car the "reasonable" settlement figure is the purchase price plus a little extra for the costs (subject to receipts) you've incurred since purchase. Unfortunately, in this case the insurers are not required to put you back in the same type of vehicle.

[Puggie]

I see your point entirely, my issue is almost £8k in receipts and being told to expect in the region of £5.5-6.5k! When I'm the innocent party it wound me up somewhat. That and the fact it's taken them almost a month to get nowhere, I asked for a hire car on Friday, today i get my equivalent vehicle, a vw transporter!

[Ian_C]

The cost of the buy-back is just as important as the cost of the write off. Was speaking to a B5 S4 owner the other week who bought his car back for £100! The arm rest is worth that alone!

Definitely submit your receipts and tell them you want 8k minimum - but just as importantly, negotiate on the buy-back with immediate effect too! Assume you've still got the car given its driveable?! Gives the insurer an incentive - they never need to touch the car!

[tanoga]

I see your point entirely, my issue is almost £8k in receipts and being told to expect in the region of £5.5-6.5k! When I'm the innocent party it wound me up somewhat. That and the fact it's taken them almost a month to get nowhere, I asked for a hire car on Friday, today i get my equivalent vehicle, a vw transporter!

Totally understand your frustration, insurance claims are a complete hassle I really can't see how the insurers value the car £1.5k'ish less then what you paid only 3 weeks earlier for the car. Like Ian_C has said above buying the car off the insurers (assuming you want it) has got to be a massive part of the settlement agreement. Lets say the £5.5k-£6.5k figure is on the table at £6k and you keep the car as it is. The damage doesn't look £5k's worth to me from the picture posted, but lets say you can get it fixed for £3k in which case you'll have your car back on the road plus an extra £3k in you pocket

[Shoppinit]

^This.

Plus you'll have a double-D.

[Puggie]

Chassis is bent, the rear near side back door no longer sits flush (impact was offside) so I don't think it will be going back on the road

Still arguing value, they offered £6400 to find a replacement.

[Ajc]

Chassis is bent, the rear near side back door no longer sits flush (impact was offside) so I don't think it will be going back on the road

Still arguing value, they offered £6400 to find a replacement.

I'm sorry but who ever has told you the chassis is bent is talking utter bo**ox. There is no way in the earth that it is . Yeah it probably wants a quarter due to the fact it's peeled away from the inner arch . The reason the door doesn't fit would be accredited to the fact it's pulled the quarter panel backwards.

[Ajc]

Chassis is bent, the rear near side back door no longer sits flush (impact was offside) so I don't think it will be going back on the road

Still arguing value, they offered £6400 to find a replacement.

I'm sorry but who ever has told you the chassis is bent is talking utter bo**ox. There is no way in the earth that it is . Yeah it probably wants a quarter due to the fact it's peeled away from the inner arch . The rea3son the door doesn't fit would be accredited to the fact it's pulled the quarter panel backwards.

Didn't see that you mentioned the N/S/R. However still can't see how such a light impact could cause damage to the other side . I've seen them hit much much much harder and the damage didn't travel money I'd expect to see damage on the roof and under the rear seats ect .