Potential Insurance Write off Vs Fixing Myself

blueyez on 10/07/2023 - 17:42
Last edited 11/07/2023 - 00:03

Hi all,

I had the joy of having my car hit (street parked) whilst I was on holidays and the damage is a rear passenger door only (4WD spare tyre indent below window). I have their details.

I have a 2007 Holden Barina sedan and I've never made an insurance claim. I'm worried that the insurance company may write off the car. It runs well and I've never had any issues with it mechanically, and it has low km considering the age (102k km, bought it with 90k on the odometer). It has paint peeling (mostly on the bonnet which I could replace myself), AC probably needs a re-gas and central locking is temperamental, but not enough for me to spend money to fix. It will need the brakes done later this year.

I'm assuming I can only be offered max $3k via insurance. I've tested the insurers website for agreed value and it offers a range of $1.8 - $3k and redbook shows $2 - $3k. I was thinking to upgrade at some point but it was not in my immediate future plans.

I'm stuck on what to do - as I'm not at fault I won't be out of pocket. I can do it via insurance and pray it's not written off (quotes to fix hover around $2.5k), or get another door via a wrecker and get it painted (might not match my car 100%) for around $1k total without going through insurance.

My main thought in keeping it, is that I could potentially sell it for more than $3k.

I do have another car which I wanted to sell, however could keep it in light of the above.

Looking for opinions and advice for anyone else with older cars in similar situations re: insurance or the DIY route

Automotive Car Insurance Insurance

Comments

  • duk242 on 10/07/2023 - 17:58
    +5

    You could have it written off, then buy it back off them for something like 1/4 of the payout. Then reinsure it with just 3rd party damage.

    You'll save money cause you're not paying for comprehensive, and you can just run that car into the ground knowing that you've basically "sold" it, so any extra value you get out of it is just bonus.

    • blueyez on 10/07/2023 - 18:17

      How does buying it back from them work? Is that normally available? Sorry really have never claimed anything on car insurance!

      Wouldn't I need to fix it for rego to be valid (VIC)?

      • JuanLove on 10/07/2023 - 18:21

        They get it valued by a wrecker. You pay them the same price the wrecker was going to pay. Just tell the insurance company that you want to keep the car and they'll sort it out

      • Sinnerator on 11/07/2023 - 09:21

        check with your State roads agency to see all the hoops and COSTS you need to jump through to re-register a WOVR car

  • Drakesy on 10/07/2023 - 18:19

    Write it off and get a new car. Keeping it rego'd and having to go through pits if it's on the WOVR might not be worthwhile

    • core101 on 10/07/2023 - 20:51
      +1

      WOVR only applies to vehicles less than 15 years old.

      • blueyez on 11/07/2023 - 00:04

        Didn't know that!

  • Stewardo on 10/07/2023 - 18:51
    +2

    Buy a new door from the wreckers? They should have some with peeling paint.

    • blueyez on 10/07/2023 - 23:50

      Indeed they do, hence why I'd need it painted as part of the repair. Normally it's just the bonnets with the issue but it seems the blue is cursed

  • Euphemistic on 10/07/2023 - 19:25

    Talk to your insurer. They will have option to pay you out and for you to purchase the vehicle back. Just depends on their procedures. They may also agree to pay you out the value of the repairs (or the vehicle insured value) if you request, without writing it off. Talk to them about your options. It’s a bit different when they are chasing someone else for money be an at fault claim.

    You may also be able to deal direct with the other persons insurer and not claim on your own insurance, but it’s more hassle.

    IMO if you are happy with the vehicle it’s worth purchasing it back to keep driving. It’s not worth trying to make money out of it.

    • blueyez on 11/07/2023 - 00:09

      I didn't get far with my insurance company as it all lies with the assessor and the outcome from the assessment.

      I would assume going through other persons insurer would be equal hassle? Why is it more..?

      • Euphemistic on 11/07/2023 - 05:49

        You need to talk to your insurer up front about the outcomes you want. It may affect the process.

        I recently got paid out cash for damage to my car. I want to install a bullbar rather than repair the bumper. They asked me to take it to a different shop for an assessment than the one initially booked in for. Turns out they have authorised assessors in some locations and they will allow different repairers to carry out work.

        As for using other persons insurer it adds steps. You may need to get multiple quotes, or take the vehicle to a specific assessor. You may need to haggle because they’ll start out lowballing you. It can just add time and hassle.

  • Mechz on 10/07/2023 - 19:40

    It will cost you more in the long run to have it fixed by insurance or written off because then you have to declare you made a claim for the next 5 years which effects premiums.

    Either leave it as is or just fix it yourself with wrecker parts.

  • zoob on 10/07/2023 - 20:22
    +2

    You say you're not at fault, and technically you're not, but it's not clear to me whether you have the other party's details. If not, you'll have to pay an excess if you make a claim.

    I also have to say I'd be very surprised if you can get more than $3k for that car.

    • blueyez on 10/07/2023 - 23:51

      Yes I have the other parties details. She's happy to go via insurance or pay me $1k

      I wouldn't make much profit selling it, but I'm quite confident I'd get more than 3k.

  • MS Paint on 10/07/2023 - 20:35

    Just get the closest matching door from a wrecker, watch a YouTube video on how to replace and move on.

    Total cost $200 out of pocket + half a day of your time.

    Typically only a few bolts, a check strap, a connector for any electronics and transferring any door card trim. It's so simple you won't believe it.

  • [Deactivated] on 10/07/2023 - 20:55

    I have only ever seen Holden Barina in a hatch - is the sedan rare that it could be worth more, even if dinged up?

    What colour is it?

  • AustriaBargain on 10/07/2023 - 21:25

    Holden doesn't even exist anymore and they stopped making cars for years before they went under, just importing cars from other countries. You should probably buy a Toyota or something instead. Even the brand is worthless, no one wants it.

    • MS Paint on 10/07/2023 - 21:53
      +1

      Even the brand is worthless, no one wants it.

      All those people trying to flog their VF2 SS Redline Commies for $100k+ would like to talk to you.

      • AustriaBargain on 10/07/2023 - 22:10

        If the brand was worth anything then GM would have either used it themselves or sell it. In the end though it wasn't even worth making right hand drive cars. Holden is like dog poop it stepped in and they just threw away the shoes.

  • sumyungguy on 11/07/2023 - 18:17
    +1

    This happened to a mate recently. Assessor advised write-off based on $8K quote from top-shelf repairer, owner got $3K quote from second tier repairer, assessor approved the repair. Happy days, cheap car still providing transport to grateful owner.

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