Dread Wreckening

My car was stolen. Before the insurance paid me, the police found it, did forensic tests and then notified me it is ready for collection. By phone the police told me there was no visible damage. However the insurance insisted they collect it. They took it to an assessor, who inspected and deemed it not worth repair and has to be scrapped. They told me some of the glass is broken (the police didn't). How can I stop the insurance from recording the car as a write-off. If they record it as a write-off can I still claim for the government scrappage scheme when I buy a new car?

Asked on 10 October 2009 by

Answered by Honest John

Demand the car be returned to you in the same state as it appears on the police report. If it isn't, find a scrappage deal offering the most: some are offering £3,000 - £5,000, then use the small claims court to sue your insurer for the full amount and also sue for your full NCD to be retained. Clark v Ardington (Appeal Court 19-4-2002) determined that putting a car owner back in the position he was in before the damage could be accomplished by a financial settlement. But it is up to you to prove how much money will do this.

Tags: buying theft police owning scrappage scheme

Dear Honest John,

Please help me choose my next car. I would like it to have:

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