Total Loss Recovery – Don’t write off a write-off!

Did you know that there are actually four categories of insurance write-off? If your vehicle has been deemed a total loss by your insurance company, it might not be the end of the road. If you want to save and repair your vehicle you can only do this if it has been written off as a Category S or Category N write-off. Here are the four categories as described by the RAC:

Car insurance write-off categories

• A category A write-off is fit for scrap only. If your vehicle is a category A it should be crushed and even salvageable parts must be destroyed.
• A category B write-off signifies extensive damage and determines that the body shell should be crushed. Some parts may be salvageable but the vehicle should never re-appear on the road. Reclaimed parts can be used in other vehicles.
• A category S write-off (formerly called category C) is used to classify vehicles that have suffered structural damage. For example, a crumple zone has collapsed in a crash or the chassis is twisted or bent. It defines more than cosmetic damage and must be professionally repaired. Until repairs are carried out it is not safe to drive.
• A category N write-off (formerly called category D) is a vehicle that has not suffered structural damage. The repairs needed are cosmetic but not economical for the insurer to repair. You may be able to drive the vehicle but there are faults that may include brakes, steering or other safety elements. The issue is likely to be cosmetic or unseen damage to the electrics or other non-structural parts.

Saving a write-off

In January we saved this BMW Mini belonging to a friend of Martin’s. The 2003 registration Mini had been involved in an accident in London and was written off by the insurance company. The insurance payment following a write-off is usually the market value of the car, which for a car of this age, wasn’t enough to go out and buy a similar vehicle. The owner was devastated and luckily knew exactly where to turn. At Car Magic, we pride ourselves on our customer service. We hand-hold our customers throughout the process whether they are family, friends or complete strangers. Our customer reviews speak for themselves. Read them at www.carmagic.co.uk/reviews.

We repaired the total loss BMW Mini by fitting a new front reinforcer, new front panel and new front bumper. We did this as efficiently as we could from a cost point of view, knowing that the customer really needed to get her Mini back on the road.

Written off and bought back to life

What to do if your vehicle is a write-off