Thank you for your replies. I now see that the cost of replacing the damaged sat-nav, and computer does not just include the hardware cost, there will be the labour cost to re-install the new sat-nav (wired into the car data bus system), and to re-install new software on the replacement laptop. I've decided to seek out a chartered loss adjuster that will work on my behalf to estimate what it will cost to put me back into the same position as I was in before the crash. I will then forward this onto the 3rd part insurers who can accept or reject it. If they reject the estimate, I can take the insurer to the small claims court (£25) and let them decide. Thanks.

Hello, My first port on the forum, and I'm looking for some advice on making a claim against a 3rd party insurer. I was involved in a car accident last week. I was in rush-hour stationary traffic (ie, not moving), when another driver hit me from behind. Both cars driveable. Insurance details exchanged. I've called the 3rd party insurance company, and they want details of the damage done to my car and its contents. Some point I'm unsure of; 1. Should I ask (insist?) for the 3rd party insurance company to issue a letter admitting 100% liability? Is this a letter that I have a reasonable change of receiving? If I'm not in receipt of the above before repair work starts, where do I stand if the other driver changes his story? 2. How do I go about claiming for the VDO Dayton Carin sat-nav system (bolted to the boot floor) and the laptop that has been damaged? VDO Datyon no longer make my sat-nav system (the exact model), and there are none on auction websites. I've spoken to VDO Dayton, who say they no longer stock parts for that model as it's so old. 3. The (Toshiba) laptop that was damaged is quite old too, but now the screen is cracked and Toshiba no longer stock parts for it (or their authorized repairers). There is also the issue of the software that is on the laptop. The software is OEM, which means the licence is tied to the laptop. When I replace the laptop, I'll have to buy new OEM software to stay licensed - but the software versions on the laptop are no longer sold (i.e. Microsoft Office v4). I would have to buy the current version. If the insurers offer a valuation based on a sliding scale related to age, I'm stuffed. The electronics have scrap value of about £50 each, but this is not going to be enough to buy any kind of replacement. Do I have the right on insisting on a replacement that was electronically functional to that which was damaged by the 3rd party? Finally, I cannot find the receipts for the above, as after 10 years since purchase, I generally throw away receipts after the warranty expires (just how long do you keep receipts for anyway). I might have bank records (I keep those for 20 years...) but proving that a debit entry on a bank statement was related to the exact purchase in question would be tricky. Any advice welcomed. Thanks.