Ask the expert: Can you explain the types of car insurance write-offs?
Dear Alex,
My insurer intends to write off my 58,000-mile 2016 Peugeot 3008 following a collision in which most of the front panels require replacement. But otherwise, it's in great shape and very economical, so I have asked them to reconsider. If they decline and offer me cash (enough to cover the repair cost), would it be sensible to get it repaired? If it is, how would I go about it?
– JL
Dear JL,
As long as your car isn't a Category A or B write-off, which means it cannot be put back on the road, the insurer will be quite happy to sell it back to you. They'll then give you the cash insurance payout, less the amount you're paying for the car, then it's yours to keep.
If the car is deemed a Category N write-off – the damage is not structural – you can repair it and put it back on the road, although you'll need to notify the DVLA of its Category N status.
If your insurer marks the car as a Category S (ie structural) write-off, it will need a new MOT inspection once it's been repaired. You'll also need to apply for a new registration document because your old one will have to be surrendered to your insurer.
Might this be worth it? As far as I can tell, you'd have to pay about £8,000 to buy an identical 3008, so, in theory, that's what your insurer should be paying out.
However, a Category N write-off will be worth significantly less – at the time of writing, the only one I can see for sale with similar mileage to yours is going for £4,000.
Therefore, the remedial work is only worth doing if the cost of the car combined with the cost of the repair is not going to be any more than £4,000. That way, you'll have the remaining £4,000-odd left over from the insurance payout to compensate you for the loss of value on the car.
If it's going to cost more, I don't think I'd bother, no matter how nice the car is. There are plenty more Peugeot 3008s out there – it isn't a rare car yet – so it should be relatively easy to take the payout, buy a replacement and save yourself the hassle of getting the repair work done.
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