If you have been involved in an accident and your car has been written off, it means that an assessor, having assessed the damage, decided that it would be uneconomical to repair the vehicle either because the cost of repairs is more than the value, or because the cost of repairs is coming too close to the value. This can be a major inconvenience, especially if you’ve looked after your vehicle with service plans etc. Here’s what you need to know if you find yourself in this situation:
What “Written Off” Means
Having assessed your vehicle and compared the estimated repair costs with your car’s pre-accident value, your repairs have been deemed uneconomical. For example if your car is worth £2000.00 but repaired are expected to be £2500.00 taking into account parts and labour, then your car is deemed uneconomical to repair. If repairs are uneconomical, the car is declared a write-off.
This does not mean that in all cases a car cannot be repaired. In some cases there may be acceptable methods of repair that are cheaper to carry out which would make the vehicle roadworthy. E.g. aftermarket or second hand parts to bring down the costs.
- Safety factor: Even if repairable, some vehicles are written off because structural safety can’t be guaranteed.
- Categories:
- Category A – total destruction, must be scrapped.
- Category B – body shell destroyed, parts may be salvaged.
- Category S – structural damage, possible to repair.
- Category N – non-structural damage, repairable.
What You’re Entitled To
The Pre-Accident Value. That is, what the market value of your vehicle was immediately prior to the accident. You should receive compensation equal to the value of a similar car (make, model, age, condition) before the crash. If you think a motor assessor or insurer undervalued your car, you can provide evidence such as car sale listings, service history, and independent valuations to challenge that valuation.
Some insurers like to use various guides such as Glass’s guide. While Glass’s aims to provide objective, market-driven data, several factors may cause a vehicle’s specific valuation to feel inaccurate. E.g. if yours was in exceptional condition for its age and mileage, you should be entitled to higher than a similar vehicle of age and make model etc.
In Northern Ireland, we have a smaller market than the rest of the UK with a smaller number of used vehicles. The smaller market can increase the value of a vehicle. E.g. a brand new vehicle that is extremely common in England may not be as common here. At Lacey Solicitors, we appoint independent local motor assessors to rely on actual market availability to assess the pre-accident value of vehicles.
In some cases (Cat S or N), you may buy back the ‘salvage‘ and repair the vehicle privately. The ‘salvage’ is the vehicle in its damaged state after the accident.
FCA Action Against Insurers
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) recently found that insurers had undervalued thousands of write-off claims, unfairly reducing payouts. As a result:
- Over 270,000 motorists are due £200m in compensation.
- Practices such as deducting for “assumed pre-existing damage” have been banned.
- Insurers must now follow the FCA’s Consumer Duty and treat motorists fairly.
- At Lacey Solicitors, our advice is to always seek independent legal representation if you have been involved in a crash. Your Road Traffic Accident Solicitor will appoint an independent motor assessor to give a true, local market reflection of your motor vehicle.
Next Steps After a Write-Off
- Contact a road traffic accident solicitor – before accepting any insurer offer.
- Gather evidence – accident photos, repair estimates, proof of your car’s condition.
- Request a replacement or Credit Hire vehicle – if you’re not at fault, you’re usually entitled to a like-for-like hire car if your vehicle is unroadworthy.
Why Speak to Lacey Solicitors First?
A Road Traffic Accident Solicitor can:
- Ensure you receive the full value of your written-off car.
- Pursue compensation for injuries and other losses.
- Immediately source you a replacement vehicle to keep you mobile whilst your vehicle is being assessed.
- Challenge any unfair insurance practices.
- Negotiate on your behalf, taking pressure off you at a stressful time.
If your car has been written off after a crash, it can be stressful and confusing. From dealing with insurance claims to understanding your compensation rights, knowing the right steps to take is crucial. For expert guidance, contact Lacey Solicitors’ Insurance Lawyers, using our Online Portal who can help ensure you get the full value of your car, pursue any injury claims, and challenge unfair insurer practices.
