Insurance payout advice

[ennogs]

I am getting conflicting advice from friends about this issue. I am hoping somebody can end my confusion.

A couple of weeks ago I took my Mum out for her birthday. Another driver scratched the front passenger side near the bumper of my car as it was parked up. There are no dents just quite severe paint work damage. He scraped his car against mine. The other driver drove off.

Luckily there was 2 witnesses who got the other drivers reg number. Cut a log story short the other driver said he didn’t realise he damaged the paintwork on my car. He has however admitted liability. His insurance is paying out.

Last Thursday my car was taken away to have the paintwork done.

Today I been told my car has been put down as a total loss (not a write off).  As it is only paintwork damage and not body work or mechanical damage, I don't understand why it has been put down as a total loss.

I have been told by the insurers I can either write the car off and receive payment to the value of the car or I can take a lower payment and get the car repaired myself.  

I am getting conflicting advice from friends. Some are saying if I keep my car and get the repairs done myself the car will then be classed as a category S or category M and I will no longer be able get insurance on the car as it will be classed as written off. As it is only paintwork damage and not body work or mechanical damage, I don't understand that.

My questions are 

If I take the payment to get the paintwork repair done myself will I still be able to insure my car when the insurance is up for renewal?

If I take the payment to get the paintwork repair done myself will my current insurance policy be voided?

If my car does get classed as category M or S will the stop me from selling it on the future?

Thanks

[colin11]

Your best bet would be to ask your insurance company if they would still insure you for the car if it is written off 

[lolerz]

if it's a total loss but not structurally damaged it'll be Cat N.

 

Of course you can insure a Cat N car, there are loads about that have been repaired. It's unlikely that your current insurers will insure it, however. 

It is also normally more expensive to insure a Cat N car. Get on to some brokers and run the numbers.


 

[unclebulgaria67]

Doubt the uneconomic write off would be registered, unless you agreed to accept write off settlement of the claim. It is just cosmetic damage.

All that has happened, is that the car has been looked at and they realised the repair costs are going to exceed the value of the car.

If the car is perfectly driveable with no upcoming normal work required to pass next MOT, your current Insurers will continue Insurance and you can accept an amount from third party Insurers to go towards you repairing the scratched bodywork.

 

 

[ennogs]

Thanks

[Mycathasfleas]

I can only speak from personal experience. But a similar thing happened to me. Seriously dented door.  I made the other insurance pay. They regarded it as a write off. Took the money, replaced the door. Never heard anything more about it. 

 

Except clearly someone sold my details to claims company, because I got loads of calls in bad English for a few month's 

Edited April 16 by Mycathasfleas
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