Help, they want to write my car off - Retro-Renault

Tiny Tim · 18th July 2008, 09:47 AM

Hi all,

I know I dont come on here much, but seeing as alot of you own older Renaults, i'd appreciate any help you guys can offer.

I'll try to keep this as short as possible and stick to the facts.

Last weekend, my neighbours sister drove into the back of my parked up 1989 Renault 11 Turbo. The damage (as damage goes) is minimal (pics at bottom). The owner/driver has admitted liability, but her insurance co (SAGA) are claiming the cars worth £200 and say its a total loss write-off.. all without even seeing a damage repair estimate. From what I understand, most companies will look on autotrader for the same model/spec/condition/mileage as your car and value by that... the ONLY 11 i can see for sale in the country at the moment is an older, higher mileage GTL that needs a clutch on autotrader for £195 - i reckon they've based their figure on that.

Im trying to gather information on the cars rarity in this country... so far, i have managed to obtain screenprints of a recent modified 11 turbo (blue) from ebay that went for £2,200 and a standard looking one on ebay france, currently advertised for circa £1350.

A) Does anyone know where I stand with regard to 'refusing' to let them write the car off and demanding they fix my car? (After all, Insurance is based on indemnity, they should leave me in the same position as I was prior to the accident)

B) Can anyone suggest anything else to back-up my case? Im being run around in circles by the DVLA trying to find out how many Renault 11 Turbos are left registered in the country.

Any help is GREATLY appreciated.

Tim

Some pics - as you can see, its sod all... dented rear panel, new number plate and a bumper fill and re-spray.

srmunden · 18th July 2008, 10:22 AM

Bit late now, but I would have just offered to take a cash offer from the offender and keep the theivin' bastard insurance companies out of it.

Have you spoken to your insurance company about it? If you have legal protection, they just might get involved. That is 'just', mind...

Tiny Tim · 18th July 2008, 10:27 AM

My insurance company is involved... so far they've asked me to obtain quotes on getting repairs, i've had one already, just awaiting the second. They havnt said much on what happens after that, only that they will then send the estimate to the 3rd parties insurer.

Im insured with Admiral, who use a company called Albany to deal with the claims. Unfortunately i've heard nothing but bad things about Albany so want to do my best to prepare myself for a fight.

**The T.I.B.** · 18th July 2008, 10:31 AM

Unless you had an agreed value policy they will have to go on market value which will be based on a 20 year old family run around (no offence)

But they normally let you buy it back again for a minimal fee don't they?

**mals** · 18th July 2008, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The T.I.B.

Unless you had an agreed value policy they will have to go on market value which will be based on a 20 year old family run around (no offence)

But they normally let you buy it back again for a minimal fee don't they?

If you are fully comp then yes they should

Tiny Tim · 18th July 2008, 10:59 AM

Im only TPFT on the 11, F/C on my daily.

And herein lies the issue... its ni-on impossible to accurately value the car as the likes of Parkers/Glass's dont go back as far as 1989. They want to send an engineer out to value the car, so im going to bombard him with the print outs of the old ebay auction and the current french ebay classified... not the best examples I know, but every little MAY help.

**bidderman1969** · 18th July 2008, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mals

If you are fully comp then yes they should

no, thats wrong.

i bought my Orion 1.6i ghia back off the insurance company when it was written off after someone drove into the back off it, i was only TPFT

**psgold67** · 18th July 2008, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tiny Tim

Hi all,

but her insurance co (SAGA) are claiming the cars worth £200 and say its a total loss write-off.. all without even seeing a damage repair estimate. From what I understand, most companies will look on autotrader for the same model/spec/condition/mileage as your car and value by that...

as one of the other members has said it really needed an Agreed Value Policy
but even this is not easy to get these days without an accepted valuer in the first place, just cos you says it is worth X doesnt mean much to insurers you need to back it up (which you seem to have been doing with the ebay stuff)

one other option we used to use in the Mustang Owners Club was a letter from the Club (it has to be a recognised national club) with a valuation as a Classic, I dont know if RSC or RAOC or someone similar who has a status with Renault would be able or willing to help, or even if the valuer would take any notice but this is probably your only recourse now

regards

Paul

**bbracer16valver** · 18th July 2008, 08:50 PM

just end the claim pointless even making one over that

tob123 · 18th July 2008, 09:04 PM

yea just end claim e.t.c... knock for knock..how much do they want for buy it back?

had worst on my 5 camparse...did'nt even bother with claiming.

hope you get it sorted

**bbracer16valver** · 18th July 2008, 09:17 PM

ide rather see a dented 11 on the road than none at all

srmunden · 18th July 2008, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbracer16valver

just end the claim pointless even making one over that

Talk to the person who smacked into you and offer to retract the claim, if they pay you whatever their excess is - you get cash and they don't get the claim against them.

**bidderman1969** · 18th July 2008, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srmunden

Talk to the person who smacked into you and offer to retract the claim, if they pay you whatever their excess is - you get cash and they don't get the claim against them.

just show that you're being reasonable, and that they wont be losing any years of their no-claims bonuses

**InSaNeBoY** · 19th July 2008, 02:49 AM

fight it.

same happened to my Ghia, some asshat on their cell phone backed into me while I was at a stop. I was hit MUCH harder than you, they pushed me a good 3' sideways screwed up the whole back end. at the time I was on 'regular' insurance and the woman's insurance company said the ghia was only worth 500. oh HELL no. lots of back and forth a little work from my insurance company and agent (keep in mind the woman hit me a week before my wedding so I was busy as it was). finally threatened them legally got my ghia fixed. (cost 2700 to repair)

NOW it's on a proper classic car policy, with a value set at 10,000. Once I get another daily car I'll put the Fuego on one of those policies too.