Can anyone provide guidance? Looks as tho my lite ace will be written off as cost of parts and labour exceed £1200! Due to possible negligence of garage rear wheel came off. I am not convinced that its 'beyond economical repair'. Has anyone had experience of settlement amount for these vehicles. According to insurance company settlement amount will be market value less wear and tear and age! Obviously these vehicles arrive here 'old'. I want to make sure that settlement is fair and that I will be able to search for another ace. Thanks

- (#15409) Wendy Collins, 16 Feb 05 03:02

Wendy,
In my experience, what the insurance company offers you is not really open to negotiation.
What you can ask for, is the salvage of the vehicle i.e you buy the ( write off ) vehicle back off the insurance company at a knock down rock bottom price. If I recall correctly, vehicles under £2000 value are normally treated at scrap value. You can barter, this price!!
BUT you need to determine if you can get the vehicle repaired cost effectively. This is based upon the repair price that you originally got - Was it a Toyota dealer prices or local garage prices, that may be cheaper and also the offer the insurance company give you for settlement.
You also need to ask what category of "Write off" the vehicle will be classed as, - "a" "b" and "c" categories really mean -forget about it- if its a "d" category you should have no problem putting it back on the road. If I recall correctly A and B categories are where the insurance company will not permit the vehicle to go back on the road ( i.e a death occured or major structural damage ) C the vehicle can be repaired ( but there's lots of damage all over it ) but you have to present the vehicle at the MOT centre to validate - its basically not a cut and paste job- and get a replacement tax book. D categories are repairable and come with a tax book.
Hope this helps

- (#15409) stephen judge, 17 Feb 05 16:58

Thanks Stephen that does help. Parts are estimated at £450 labour charge £700!! This puts it over what the insurance co are prepared to spend. They are sending an essessor this weekend. I suspect they will value it around £1700 however according to the advisors they use glasses guilde - have checked and these vehicles are not listed on glasses on line site so have e mailed them. I believe it can be repaired and will explore the possibility of buying it back. Thanks for your help - there is a garage locally but it looks likely his employee didnt tighten the wheel nuts to the proper torque so will need to settle this issue first! Thank you again.

- (#15409) Wendy Collins, 18 Feb 05 02:50