F30POST
F30POST
2012-2015 BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum (F30 / F32) | F30POST > 2012-2019 BMW 3 and 4-Series Forums > Regional Forums > UK > UK - Off Topic > Negotiating Insurance Pay Out on a Total Loss
proTUNING Freaks
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      08-11-2018, 10:43 AM   #1
nordberg
Major
United Kingdom
176
Rep
1,470
Posts

Drives: F31 330d M Sport
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Somewhere

iTrader: (1)

Negotiating Insurance Pay Out on a Total Loss

As subject, my missus and kids were involved in an RTC last week. The other driver has admitted full responsibility and it’s now being dealt with by his insurers.

I’m 90% certain that our car is going to be written off. It’s an old car and there’s very significant damage and I counted at least 3 panels that need replacing as well as a fair bit of welding.

The car was collected by designated body shop yesterday and we are awaiting a decision. In the meantime, I want to get all our ducks in a row with a view to strongly negotiating a favourable settlement figure if and when it comes to it.

Anyone been in a similar situation? To make matters worse, we spent £700 on it just last week to get it through its MOT.

Any advice appreciated!

Last edited by nordberg; 08-11-2018 at 11:06 AM..
Appreciate 0
      08-11-2018, 11:11 AM   #2
davyk31
Major General
1030
Rep
6,937
Posts

Drives: Macan GTS :-) & F40 M135i
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Northern Ireland

iTrader: (0)

Just get a few examples of similar cars for sale and use those as the basis of the payout you need to leave you in a position where you could replace your car. The money you have spent will help you prove your car was properly maintained but may not do much
To enhance their offer.

First step is to see what They offer and know what you need.
Appreciate 0
      08-11-2018, 12:12 PM   #3
MarkG_M5Comp
Supreme Being
MarkG_M5Comp's Avatar
United Kingdom
1804
Rep
5,425
Posts

Drives: M5 Comp
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Hampshire, UK

iTrader: (0)

Delay them - not unreasonably, but whatever their offers (and they will increase), say you want to seek independent verification.

My brother-in-law's car suffered a total loss when in the possession of purple parking and he knocked them back 3 times by saying 'I can't buy another similar car for that so I'm going to check with Mazda (his was a 5 which had been discontinued).

Start to finish his offer was increased by a little over £2k on a £10k car.

EDIT: sorry to read this btw - I hope everyone is recovering well from the shock.
__________________
Current: F90 M5 Competition
Gone: F80 M3 Competition Pack / M135i / F15 X5 M50d / Saab 9-5 Aero HOT / F30 335d xDrive M Sport / E92 LCI 320d M Sport / E46 320d M Sport Touring / E46 318i Touring
Appreciate 0
      08-11-2018, 01:23 PM   #4
Soul_Glo
Major General
Soul_Glo's Avatar
United_States
13293
Rep
7,483
Posts

Drives: G20
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Manhattan, NYC

iTrader: (1)

I agree with all of the above. All I can add is it may also be worth getting some repair estimates as part of comparison.
Appreciate 0
      08-12-2018, 02:36 PM   #5
nordberg
Major
United Kingdom
176
Rep
1,470
Posts

Drives: F31 330d M Sport
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Somewhere

iTrader: (1)

Thanks guys 👍
Appreciate 0
      08-12-2018, 02:44 PM   #6
the dope steez
Captain
Canada
401
Rep
808
Posts

Drives: F30 335i M-Sport
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Shredmonton, Illberta

iTrader: (0)

I was in a similar situation last year, I was replacing the car through the same dealership, so my salesman offered to negotiate the payout on my behalf by searching higher priced but similar units in the nationwide sales pool. He was able to help me get an additional $1000 over the initial offer (about another 10% of the cars value)
Appreciate 0
      08-13-2018, 02:59 AM   #7
AlwynMike
Lieutenant Colonel
United Kingdom
328
Rep
1,654
Posts

Drives: F36 440i GC.
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Lincolnshire Flatlands

iTrader: (1)

Hope everyone is OK.

Dont back down.
The loss adjusters job is to make sure the layouts are minimal.
As said, get similar car adverts lined up - from dealers.
You have evidence of its mechanical soundness to use
I wasn't prepared when my E91 was written off (insurance company were far quicker than I anticipated) but in the course of one phone call I managed to increase the offer by several thousand pounds (it was a relatively new AUC car, with plenty of options that I used to lever the price up)

You may well want to get a call blocker on your phone if you haven't already, as the ambulance chasers will be hot on your heels.
Appreciate 0
      08-13-2018, 01:48 PM   #8
Sullym6
Lieutenant
133
Rep
570
Posts

Drives: Not got it yet
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Manchester

iTrader: (1)

Having been through this I found that they seem to stick to the glass valuation. My particular issue was you could buy a similar age and mileage car for the payout it would not get a car with the same or close spec.
I am currently escalating to the ombudsman as I don't think I got a fair payout, which is your last point of escalation.
My sister had a total loss a while ago and direct line were a lot easier to deal with than Aviva so it also depends on the insurer
Appreciate 0
      08-13-2018, 02:35 PM   #9
robbiep
Brigadier General
United Kingdom
1968
Rep
3,214
Posts

Drives: VW e-Golf !
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: North Wales, UK

iTrader: (0)

Do bear in mind that their counter-argument against a dealer 'for sale' price is that such a price includes 6 months warranty as part of the CRA legislation. Your old car probably had no such warranty in place.
As such, if you were given enough money to buy such a car, then it would be 'betterment'.
Appreciate 0
      08-15-2018, 12:33 PM   #10
nordberg
Major
United Kingdom
176
Rep
1,470
Posts

Drives: F31 330d M Sport
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Somewhere

iTrader: (1)

Body shop called today and confirmed it’s a total loss.

Now we await the call from the insurance co...
Appreciate 0
      08-15-2018, 12:50 PM   #11
isleaiw1
Lieutenant General
8606
Rep
12,129
Posts

Drives: iPace / Mini
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by nordberg View Post
Body shop called today and confirmed it’s a total loss.

Now we await the call from the insurance co...
Out of interest what is / was it and what sort of damage...?
Appreciate 0
      08-15-2018, 02:23 PM   #12
nordberg
Major
United Kingdom
176
Rep
1,470
Posts

Drives: F31 330d M Sport
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Somewhere

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by isleaiw1 View Post
Out of interest what is / was it and what sort of damage...?
Rear shunt approx 30mph.

Rear end crumpled on one side and hatch buckled.

No chance it was ever going to be anything but a write off. Car was probably worth £1500 on a good day and the estimator put repair costs at £4K.
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:05 PM.




f30post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST