The Whatcar 2000 car crashed.

thelioncub · 07-02-2007, 22:52

Hi people.

Not really posted much here before, but figured it is the best place to mope about my recent loss.
I used to work for Whatcar Magazine and bought the test car that won all the awards back in 2000. Not just the model, but *the* actual car.
Well anyway. Last week some **** ran me off the road and span me into a couple walls. The damage to my poor Fabia has been estimated at £4900, despite the car basically being fine chasis wise.
Obviously insurance is sorting this, but of course the car will be written off.
The problem I now have is I basically adore that car (his name is Bod) and am so so reluctant to get another one. Because of the history with Whatcar it had loads of upgrades that weren't actually available on that model in that year, so it is impossible for me to find something the same spec for what the insurance will give me. Bod was totally unique.
HELP!
Do I put myself further in debt and get a slightly newer model which will have everything I have been used to with Bod, or do i spend as little as possible and drive around feeling sorry for myself? (I can't stand the classic models so will at least need Comfort/Ambiente)
Anyone got any ideas when Lagoon Blue was phased out, and which year and on which models Laser Blue or Admiral Blue came in? - These seem to be the closest match colour wise (and yes.. I am very fond of the colour and it is important to me)
I have a feeling that the best I am going to be able to do is get a 2003 elegance model in Admiral Blue - Laser seems to only be on 1.2 classics? and Lagoon is about as rare as they come!

a very sad Skoda fan
Soph

**mannyo** · 07-02-2007, 23:08

Need a better picture, but from that one you could buy bod back and fix it using 2nd hand parts for far less than 5k.

thelioncub · 08-02-2007, 10:23

I've been told that if i repair the car myself I'll need to pay the excess and poss cost of repairs up front - which i dont have.
More importantly, the car will always be a 'crash car' and probably of next to nothing value. Fair enough as I intend to run it into the ground, but now i'm thinking if something like this happens again, even the slightest knock and Bod's written off. Basically i'd be left with no car, and no insurance money.

ap0gee · 08-02-2007, 10:31

That's bad luck. Like has been said, whether or not you repair it yourself depends on whether your counting on it being worth anything when you're finished with it. Don't mean to worry you, but I've never ever seen a metallic blue Fabia so I don't rate your chances of tracking one down, I'm afraid...

muckyduck · 08-02-2007, 11:06

There must be some bargains coming up on current model Fabs. I'd treat myself to something top of the range and learn to love that instead.

On the colour thing I really like the pale green that was on the early Fabias. If it was on a bicycle it would be called Bianchi Blue (the Italians being colour blind). Most people go yuck but I like it.

Stuart_J · 08-02-2007, 11:10

Our Octy was totalled a few months ago, they offered us 6400 or 4800 & the wreck (rule of thumb if its cat D is 25% of value). I had it repaired in a body shop using secondhand bits, took a couple of months as the bits had to be sorted but it cost just over 2000 to fix, we now have the car back and a couple of grand in the bank.

If its totalled find out what category they put it in, Cat A & B and its a lost cause, A has to be destroyed, B can only be used for parts, C you can fix but needs a DVLA check afterwards, Cat D is easily fixed & all you will probably need is a new MOT or possibly an engineers report for insurance purposes, The AA can do a report for under £200 & many vehicle inspectors are less

The piccies bad but if the Air bags havent gone off its very repairable, The airbags on ours had gone off but 2 bags & a dash cost £400 S/hand & we also had to source S/hand Xenons

Ring a few breakers, skospares are a good start cars dismantled by skospares.com for all your skospares & describe how much of the front you need & they can give you a budget for bits, then talk to a small local body shop for a cash job if you can. If your not confident about finding the bits yourself ask them to do it & say you will help with as many contacts as possible. We used a lot of slightly damaged bits taken off of Insurance repaired cars & just repaired them.
Dont worry about getting bits in the right colour as it can all be sprayed, also a good time to sort out all the little dinks & chips.

RETAIN ownership of the car until you decide what to do, the Insurance company CANT dispose of it until you have come to an agreement. If the cars still at home keep it there, if its at a breakers in "safe storage" as they call it go & make sure its complete & take loads of photos (bits have a habit of walking!) Also ask the breaker how much to fix it, they normally know a man who can but dont always trust them as they might give you a high price if they have someone else interested. Many dealers look around the breakers at whats not cleared by insurance to express an interest. 2 people expressed interest in ours while it was awaiting our decision. The salvage market is all run by people who know people & they look after there own first

mr barearse · 08-02-2007, 14:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by muckyduck

There must be some bargains coming up on current model Fabs. I'd treat myself to something top of the range and learn to love that instead.

On the colour thing I really like the pale green that was on the early Fabias. If it was on a bicycle it would be called Bianchi Blue (the Italians being colour blind). Most people go yuck but I like it.

are you talking about the fantasy green? thats what colour i have and i love it + there is not many about which makes it a bit rare!

devonutopia · 08-02-2007, 14:22

Buy it back if you intend to keep it, then the "crash" value will not be applicable.

Looks repairable for a lot less than 5k in my opinion, but then I can't see every angle of the car. Either that, or remove all the optional extras out the car and refit to a new one (if thats feasible as I don't know what options you refer to)

thelioncub · 08-02-2007, 18:11

Ooh thanks for all your advice peeps.
I think it's quite sick that the repair place is chosen by the insurance not me, and that they inflate the cost because they might have someone who wants my car!
How wrong is that!
I really cant see how they think the cost is going to be 5k!
I was told that they want to pretty much respray the whole car to 'match' the colour, yet I've had the front 1/4 panel done alone before and it matched fine.
I'm hoping to go see the car tomorrow as I've only seen the damage on the night it happened. As far as I know tho, it's front bumper (incl fog lights), headlights, and possible rear bumper where we spun back up onto pavement and towards a lampost. The radiator might need replacing, as does the screenwash bottle and 2/3 alloys. But still... 5K???
No, the airbags didn't go off.
I'm really torn between repairing Bod and using this as an excuse to upgrade. The only extra I could take is the cd-changer in the boot (but would need head unit too), but then am I allowed to 'take' that if the car belongs to insurance?

Also, what are the chances my tool kit and personal stuff is still in the boot??

ric04vrs · 08-02-2007, 19:07

deleted

ric04vrs · 08-02-2007, 19:08

Quote:

Also, what are the chances my tool kit and personal stuff is still in the boot??

slim to none if in a breakers

postmanpat · 08-02-2007, 19:18

What Stuart J said or talk to Fabia12v, Rich also bought his fabia back from the insurers after it was written off and is in the process of repair

thelioncub · 08-02-2007, 19:28

Just spoke to insurance. Bod is Cat C write off.

Apparantly they don't give the option whereby I can own the car. It's their's now + they have advised trying to go down any route of getting it repaired.
Seems rather unfair if you ask me.
I have to send them the V05/log book etc before they will give me a valuation.

Car is currently in a repair place nominated by insurance co, so not sure if that is same thing as a breakers?

If the stuff has gone from the boot as well I think I will actually kill someone..

postmanpat · 08-02-2007, 19:33

No the car is not theirs untill they pay for it, and i believe you can take the car to any garage you want to get a quote for them to approve (sp) if you think the nominated garage is having you over.

edit: is this a claim on your own insurance or are you claiming against the third party that ran you off the road( did you catch the barstewards in other words) in which case you would be trying to buy the car back of them?

thelioncub · 08-02-2007, 19:38

It's a claim on his insurance, not mine. It's going through as a 'no fault' claim if that makes any difference?

postmanpat · 08-02-2007, 19:47

Would imagine you will need to speak to his insurance then as when the claim is settled the car would become their property as they are the ones paying out, this *might* be why your insurance is saying you can't buy it from them as they will be planing on selling it to the 3rd party insurance for whatever they have paid you when they settle under your fully comp insurance. If you hit a brick wall speak to the insurance ombudsman. Think Rich' s was a claim against a 3rd party not sure about Stuart? but either may be able to advise on the course of action they took. hth best of luck

piggeh · 08-02-2007, 22:18

If the valuation they give you is unreasonable, list the extras your car came with, and challenge them to find a car with the same specification, mileage, etc, for the money being offered. If they cant do this then the amount is too low. Print/cut out some similar cars with the same extras, or get official price for Extras from Skoda, and add these onto the valuation to get a truer figure.

I wouldnt hand over the V5 until a value has been agreed in writing. This does not affect the ability to give a valuation and if they say otherwise, then challenge them (in writing) as to why this is the case.

thelioncub · 08-02-2007, 22:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by piggeh

Print/cut out some similar cars with the same extras

Yeah, someone else suggested this so i did a hunt around. Only trouble is no 2000 model came with the extras I had as they simply weren't an option. Closest match is a 2001 model, but I fear they'll use that as an exuse to disregard my point about the value being higher.

Quote:

Originally Posted by piggeh

I wouldnt hand over the V5 until a value has been agreed in writing. This does not affect the ability to give a valuation and if they say otherwise, then challenge them (in writing) as to why this is the case.

When they told me I had to send them the V5, the MOT and the log book, I have to admit to feeling very uneasy about doing so. First some stranger writes off my car and now i'm simply expected to hand over ownership?? I cant see why they need this *until* i agree a price, but its likely that if I don't comply the whole claim grinds to a halt.

yaktrebor · 08-02-2007, 22:57

Do you have 'Legal assistance' with your own insurance?

SWMBO had a company called 'Angel Assist' legal cover with her insurance.

They were excellent at sorting things out and operate independently from your insurance company.

thelioncub · 08-02-2007, 23:12

I must admit i'm getting confused with what i do and don't have, but as far as i know Diamond work with a company called Albany who are the legal dept - they have been dealing with claim up until point it became write off.
I'm also an RAC member and they have been dealing with personal injury claim via another company (solicitors).
It certainly gets confusing to know who to speak to about what!

Stuart_J · 09-02-2007, 06:41

Unless you have informed your insurance company of the extras on the car & they have agreed a higher value then the car will be insured as a standard car & you will be paid out on that. Sorry if thats not what you want to hear. Anything thats not std you can remove BUT you must replace it with the std parts. For example if you have an aftermarket sound system you can take it out but you must put a standard one back in, same with wheels etc.

Your Insurance company are trying it on. They can make you an offer based on the book value which is what they will do anyway & they only need the Registration documents when you agree to their valuation & the car can be written off. If they need to see them send them photocopies. Try & hang on to them until you have agreed what to do. You are also alowed to nominate your own repairer so you could get a second opinion. If someone else looks at the car make sure you are there at the time to hear what is said, try & find a small independent, they are normally cheaper. The car is still yours until you have accepted their offer & you dont have to send them any documents until then.

If you go & look at the car take all your personal posessions out of it & also the service history & tax disc, you can claim back excess tax. The service history adds to the value of the wreck for the insurer so if they are asses dont ever give it to them, you lost it didnt you !!

Ask the company why you cant buy the car back if you pay market value, I smell a rat here ! If its because they wont sell to the public find an independant garage or bodyshop to buy it on your behalf, a bung should sort that.

Also Initially be nice to the approved repairer & try & find out where the car will go, most insurance companies have an agreement with local salvage yards to take all the cars they send them & have an agreed valuation related to the book value. The salvage yards offer free storage to the Insurer whilst the paperwork is sorted, most repairers charge 10-15 a week.
With my Insurance company the value was 25% of book for a cat D, cat C will be less. I know of a person who did a deal with the appproved breaker & bunged him £200 over the valuation + a cheque for the Insurance value to deliver the car direct to him.

If you intend to fix the car take as many pictures of it as you can including close ups of the damage & try & get a budget costing off of a local repairer, also ask the approved repairer how much it could be repaired for.

IF YOU BUY IT BACK make sure its repairable, research it as much as you can & if the numbers are close let it go, its amazing how much the last couple of bits you cant find at the breakers will cost but dont be scared of doing it if the numbers are right. Ive now had 3 totalled cars, 2 I bought as wrecks with no previous knowledge of them & all have been fine as they were properly repaired.

devonutopia · 09-02-2007, 09:48

#1 motto for having an accident - Remove EVERYTHING from the car at the scene of the accident. When I had my mega accident, I removed the radio, all my possessions, other audio, some wiring, the glovebox contents, etc. Luckily enough I needn't have done as I bought the shell back off the insurers, but I filled up an octavia boot with stuff to bring back to Devon afterwards.....

RobClubley · 17-08-2007, 21:02

Reading this, it sounds to me like your/their insurance is trying to take you for a ride

ric04vrs · 17-08-2007, 21:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobClubley

Reading this, it sounds to me like your/their insurance is trying to take you for a ride

you bored Rob ? this thread is from back in February

RobClubley · 17-08-2007, 21:34

Oops - you know when you do a search for something and a random thread comes up that you missed?

I wonder what happened with this one?

07-02-2007, 23:08	#2
mannyo BRISKODA Staff Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Stevenage Herts. Posts: 11,627 Members Car: Octavia 2.0 TDi Elegance Thanks: 60 Thanked 393 Times in 362 Posts	*Re: The* Whatcar 2000 car crashed.** Need a better picture, but from that one you could buy bod back and fix it using 2nd hand parts for far less than 5k. __________________ Manny 2005 Octavia 2.0TDi Elegance combi my skoda website http://www.octaviars.co.uk Join the briskoda.net folding team click Here for more info

08-02-2007, 10:23	#3
thelioncub Briskodian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Teddington Posts: 29 Members Car: Fabia vrs Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	*Re: The* Whatcar 2000 car crashed.** I've been told that if i repair the car myself I'll need to pay the excess and poss cost of repairs up front - which i dont have. More importantly, the car will always be a 'crash car' and probably of next to nothing value. Fair enough as I intend to run it into the ground, but now i'm thinking if something like this happens again, even the slightest knock and Bod's written off. Basically i'd be left with no car, and no insurance money.

08-02-2007, 10:31	#4
ap0gee ASZ Eternal Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Leafy Chesh-shire Posts: 7,108 Members Car: Black Magic Fabia vRS Thanks: 385 Thanked 406 Times in 353 Posts	*Re: The* Whatcar 2000 car crashed.** That's bad luck. Like has been said, whether or not you repair it yourself depends on whether your counting on it being worth anything when you're finished with it. Don't mean to worry you, but I've never ever seen a metallic blue Fabia so I don't rate your chances of tracking one down, I'm afraid... __________________

08-02-2007, 11:06	#5
muckyduck Briskodian Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 96 Members Car: Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	*Re: The* Whatcar 2000 car crashed.** There must be some bargains coming up on current model Fabs. I'd treat myself to something top of the range and learn to love that instead. On the colour thing I really like the pale green that was on the early Fabias. If it was on a bicycle it would be called Bianchi Blue (the Italians being colour blind). Most people go yuck but I like it.

08-02-2007, 11:10	#6
Stuart_J Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Winchester Posts: 5,758 Members Car: Nissan 350Z Twin Turbo Also Octavia 1.9 TDI L&K & Superb td 140 Thanks: 44 Thanked 88 Times in 81 Posts	*Re: The* Whatcar 2000 car crashed.** Our Octy was totalled a few months ago, they offered us 6400 or 4800 & the wreck (rule of thumb if its cat D is 25% of value). I had it repaired in a body shop using secondhand bits, took a couple of months as the bits had to be sorted but it cost just over 2000 to fix, we now have the car back and a couple of grand in the bank. If its totalled find out what category they put it in, Cat A & B and its a lost cause, A has to be destroyed, B can only be used for parts, C you can fix but needs a DVLA check afterwards, Cat D is easily fixed & all you will probably need is a new MOT or possibly an engineers report for insurance purposes, The AA can do a report for under £200 & many vehicle inspectors are less The piccies bad but if the Air bags havent gone off its very repairable, The airbags on ours had gone off but 2 bags & a dash cost £400 S/hand & we also had to source S/hand Xenons Ring a few breakers, skospares are a good start cars dismantled by skospares.com for all your skospares & describe how much of the front you need & they can give you a budget for bits, then talk to a small local body shop for a cash job if you can. If your not confident about finding the bits yourself ask them to do it & say you will help with as many contacts as possible. We used a lot of slightly damaged bits taken off of Insurance repaired cars & just repaired them. Dont worry about getting bits in the right colour as it can all be sprayed, also a good time to sort out all the little dinks & chips. RETAIN ownership of the car until you decide what to do, the Insurance company CANT dispose of it until you have come to an agreement. If the cars still at home keep it there, if its at a breakers in "safe storage" as they call it go & make sure its complete & take loads of photos (bits have a habit of walking!) Also ask the breaker how much to fix it, they normally know a man who can but dont always trust them as they might give you a high price if they have someone else interested. Many dealers look around the breakers at whats not cleared by insurance to express an interest. 2 people expressed interest in ours while it was awaiting our decision. The salvage market is all run by people who know people & they look after there own first __________________ Speed is an addiction for which thankfully there is no cure Last edited by Stuart_J; 08-02-2007 at 11:12.

07-02-2007, 22:52	#1
thelioncub Briskodian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Teddington Posts: 29 Members Car: Fabia vrs Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	The Whatcar 2000 car crashed. Hi people. Not really posted much here before, but figured it is the best place to mope about my recent loss. I used to work for Whatcar Magazine and bought the test car that won all the awards back in 2000. Not just the model, but the actual car. Well anyway. Last week some **** ran me off the road and span me into a couple walls. The damage to my poor Fabia has been estimated at £4900, despite the car basically being fine chasis wise. Obviously insurance is sorting this, but of course the car will be written off. The problem I now have is I basically adore that car (his name is Bod) and am so so reluctant to get another one. Because of the history with Whatcar it had loads of upgrades that weren't actually available on that model in that year, so it is impossible for me to find something the same spec for what the insurance will give me. Bod was totally unique. HELP! Do I put myself further in debt and get a slightly newer model which will have everything I have been used to with Bod, or do i spend as little as possible and drive around feeling sorry for myself? (I can't stand the classic models so will at least need Comfort/Ambiente) Anyone got any ideas when Lagoon Blue was phased out, and which year and on which models Laser Blue or Admiral Blue came in? - These seem to be the closest match colour wise (and yes.. I am very fond of the colour and it is important to me) I have a feeling that the best I am going to be able to do is get a 2003 elegance model in Admiral Blue - Laser seems to only be on 1.2 classics? and Lagoon is about as rare as they come! a very sad Skoda fan Soph Last edited by thelioncub; 07-02-2007 at 22:57. Reason: photo added

08-02-2007, 14:22	#8
devonutopia Mongreller Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Exeter / Devon Posts: 30,490 Members Car: Skoda Fabia Mongrel Images: 5 Thanks: 79 Thanked 381 Times in 322 Posts	*Re: The* Whatcar 2000 car crashed. Buy it back if you intend to keep it, then the "crash" value will not be applicable. Looks repairable for a lot less than 5k in my opinion, but then I can't see every angle of the car. Either that, or remove all the optional extras out the car and refit to a new one (if thats feasible as I don't know what options you refer to) __________________ Jason - Only a Skoda. Custom Fabia Bonnet Lifter Kits - £45! Click Me. BRISKODA CLUBSTAND @ Castle Combe! 25/04/09! Track session too!** Click me! See the mongrel's 260bhp Dyno Video!

08-02-2007, 18:11	#9
thelioncub Briskodian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Teddington Posts: 29 Members Car: Fabia vrs Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	*Re: The* Whatcar 2000 car crashed.** Ooh thanks for all your advice peeps. I think it's quite sick that the repair place is chosen by the insurance not me, and that they inflate the cost because they might have someone who wants my car! How wrong is that! I really cant see how they think the cost is going to be 5k! I was told that they want to pretty much respray the whole car to 'match' the colour, yet I've had the front 1/4 panel done alone before and it matched fine. I'm hoping to go see the car tomorrow as I've only seen the damage on the night it happened. As far as I know tho, it's front bumper (incl fog lights), headlights, and possible rear bumper where we spun back up onto pavement and towards a lampost. The radiator might need replacing, as does the screenwash bottle and 2/3 alloys. But still... 5K??? No, the airbags didn't go off. I'm really torn between repairing Bod and using this as an excuse to upgrade. The only extra I could take is the cd-changer in the boot (but would need head unit too), but then am I allowed to 'take' that if the car belongs to insurance? Also, what are the chances my tool kit and personal stuff is still in the boot??

08-02-2007, 19:07	#10
ric04vrs I parked up 1st Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: not near enough to the Ring Posts: 6,265 Members Car: silver Fabia VRS Thanks: 31 Thanked 193 Times in 187 Posts	*Re: The* Whatcar 2000 car crashed.** deleted __________________ very bored and liable to do something stupid Last edited by ric04vrs; 08-02-2007 at 19:09. Reason: made a mess of quote

08-02-2007, 19:28	#13
thelioncub Briskodian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Teddington Posts: 29 Members Car: Fabia vrs Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	*Re: The* Whatcar 2000 car crashed.** Just spoke to insurance. Bod is Cat C write off. Apparantly they don't give the option whereby I can own the car. It's their's now + they have advised trying to go down any route of getting it repaired. Seems rather unfair if you ask me. I have to send them the V05/log book etc before they will give me a valuation. Car is currently in a repair place nominated by insurance co, so not sure if that is same thing as a breakers? If the stuff has gone from the boot as well I think I will actually kill someone..

08-02-2007, 19:38	#15
thelioncub Briskodian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Teddington Posts: 29 Members Car: Fabia vrs Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	*Re: The* Whatcar 2000 car crashed.** It's a claim on his insurance, not mine. It's going through as a 'no fault' claim if that makes any difference?

08-02-2007, 22:18	#17
piggeh Briskodian Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 91 Members Car: Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	*Re: The* Whatcar 2000 car crashed.** If the valuation they give you is unreasonable, list the extras your car came with, and challenge them to find a car with the same specification, mileage, etc, for the money being offered. If they cant do this then the amount is too low. Print/cut out some similar cars with the same extras, or get official price for Extras from Skoda, and add these onto the valuation to get a truer figure. I wouldnt hand over the V5 until a value has been agreed in writing. This does not affect the ability to give a valuation and if they say otherwise, then challenge them (in writing) as to why this is the case.

08-02-2007, 22:57	#19
yaktrebor Briskodian Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bakewell, Derbyshire, where the puddings come from. (That's tarts to foreigners!) Posts: 553 Members Car: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	*Re: The* Whatcar 2000 car crashed.** Do you have 'Legal assistance' with your own insurance? SWMBO had a company called 'Angel Assist' legal cover with her insurance. They were excellent at sorting things out and operate independently from your insurance company. __________________ 'No more beer!' (unless it's GF)

08-02-2007, 23:12	#20
thelioncub Briskodian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Teddington Posts: 29 Members Car: Fabia vrs Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	*Re: The* Whatcar 2000 car crashed.** I must admit i'm getting confused with what i do and don't have, but as far as i know Diamond work with a company called Albany who are the legal dept - they have been dealing with claim up until point it became write off. I'm also an RAC member and they have been dealing with personal injury claim via another company (solicitors). It certainly gets confusing to know who to speak to about what!

09-02-2007, 06:41	#21
Stuart_J Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Winchester Posts: 5,758 Members Car: Nissan 350Z Twin Turbo Also Octavia 1.9 TDI L&K & Superb td 140 Thanks: 44 Thanked 88 Times in 81 Posts	*Re: The* Whatcar 2000 car crashed.** Unless you have informed your insurance company of the extras on the car & they have agreed a higher value then the car will be insured as a standard car & you will be paid out on that. Sorry if thats not what you want to hear. Anything thats not std you can remove BUT you must replace it with the std parts. For example if you have an aftermarket sound system you can take it out but you must put a standard one back in, same with wheels etc. Your Insurance company are trying it on. They can make you an offer based on the book value which is what they will do anyway & they only need the Registration documents when you agree to their valuation & the car can be written off. If they need to see them send them photocopies. Try & hang on to them until you have agreed what to do. You are also alowed to nominate your own repairer so you could get a second opinion. If someone else looks at the car make sure you are there at the time to hear what is said, try & find a small independent, they are normally cheaper. The car is still yours until you have accepted their offer & you dont have to send them any documents until then. If you go & look at the car take all your personal posessions out of it & also the service history & tax disc, you can claim back excess tax. The service history adds to the value of the wreck for the insurer so if they are asses dont ever give it to them, you lost it didnt you !! Ask the company why you cant buy the car back if you pay market value, I smell a rat here ! If its because they wont sell to the public find an independant garage or bodyshop to buy it on your behalf, a bung should sort that. Also Initially be nice to the approved repairer & try & find out where the car will go, most insurance companies have an agreement with local salvage yards to take all the cars they send them & have an agreed valuation related to the book value. The salvage yards offer free storage to the Insurer whilst the paperwork is sorted, most repairers charge 10-15 a week. With my Insurance company the value was 25% of book for a cat D, cat C will be less. I know of a person who did a deal with the appproved breaker & bunged him £200 over the valuation + a cheque for the Insurance value to deliver the car direct to him. If you intend to fix the car take as many pictures of it as you can including close ups of the damage & try & get a budget costing off of a local repairer, also ask the approved repairer how much it could be repaired for. IF YOU BUY IT BACK make sure its repairable, research it as much as you can & if the numbers are close let it go, its amazing how much the last couple of bits you cant find at the breakers will cost but dont be scared of doing it if the numbers are right. Ive now had 3 totalled cars, 2 I bought as wrecks with no previous knowledge of them & all have been fine as they were properly repaired. __________________ Speed is an addiction for which thankfully there is no cure

09-02-2007, 09:48	#22
devonutopia Mongreller Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Exeter / Devon Posts: 30,490 Members Car: Skoda Fabia Mongrel Images: 5 Thanks: 79 Thanked 381 Times in 322 Posts	*Re: The* Whatcar 2000 car crashed. #1 motto for having an accident - Remove EVERYTHING from the car at the scene of the accident. When I had my mega accident, I removed the radio, all my possessions, other audio, some wiring, the glovebox contents, etc. Luckily enough I needn't have done as I bought the shell back off the insurers, but I filled up an octavia boot with stuff to bring back to Devon afterwards..... __________________ Jason - Only a Skoda. Custom Fabia Bonnet Lifter Kits - £45! Click Me. BRISKODA CLUBSTAND @ Castle Combe! 25/04/09! Track session too!** Click me! See the mongrel's 260bhp Dyno Video!

17-08-2007, 21:02	#23
RobClubley Midnight Mod! Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Aotearoa - land of the long white cloud Posts: 7,205 Members Car: 2004 Octavia vRS Estate Images: 2 Thanks: 192 Thanked 165 Times in 137 Posts	*Re: The* Whatcar 2000 car crashed.** Reading this, it sounds to me like your/their insurance is trying to take you for a ride __________________ Corrida Red 2004 Octavia vRS Estate - It's the bestest Skoda in New Zealand! Whaia te mātauranga, whaia te māramatanga - Pursue knowledge, pursue the wisdom of knowledge www.pimpmyskoda.co.uk www.clubley.org Facebook

17-08-2007, 21:34	#25
RobClubley Midnight Mod! Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Aotearoa - land of the long white cloud Posts: 7,205 Members Car: 2004 Octavia vRS Estate Images: 2 Thanks: 192 Thanked 165 Times in 137 Posts	*Re: The* Whatcar 2000 car crashed.** Oops - you know when you do a search for something and a random thread comes up that you missed? I wonder what happened with this one? __________________ Corrida Red 2004 Octavia vRS Estate - It's the bestest Skoda in New Zealand! Whaia te mātauranga, whaia te māramatanga - Pursue knowledge, pursue the wisdom of knowledge www.pimpmyskoda.co.uk www.clubley.org Facebook

*The* Whatcar 2000 car crashed.

*The* Whatcar 2000 car crashed.

The Whatcar 2000 car crashed.

The Whatcar 2000 car crashed.