Citroen XM Forum

Hi Guys, I am in real need of some insurance advice.

I had a phone call today that has left me shaking! They have given the car a Cat B write off. Fine what ever. But they are claiming the car must be picked up in the next few days. Legally it cant be used for anything, ie parts car.
I have had an insulting price for the car, £420 and asked me to pay my excess now whilst the claim is still on going with the third party, leaving me with a cheque of £70!!! They wont listen to me about prices or anything else. Am I being bullied here?

So the car is safely kept in a locked garage, down a locked, gated private lane. So no one can get to it. I assume they cant pick it up with out permission. What i need to know, is can I get someone to independently access the car and get it rated at Cat C. What rights do I have to keep the car for longer. I'm told I can't even use anything off it. Which is total rubbish. Its all structural. I can still drive it.

What do you guys think?

Thanks.

I think such matters should be put in writing. At the least. So you can catch them on anything. Sorry I don't know much about UK laws, sounds like bullying to me. Price is too low as well. You may protest that no expert has viewed the car but expertise was done by pictures??

Well I have been fed a load of bull rubbish about Cat B. It cannot return to the road, fine I wouldn't want to anyway. But it can be broken for parts and parts used again. I was told the whole lot must go. The car is on sorn so is fine in that respect. Basically I must get like Mrs T ... NO NO NO NO NO

Good point Jaap. I am being pressurised clearly, Typical insurance tactics.. starting to clam down now. That was a nasty shock this afternoon.

But any advise on how to hang on to the car would be very welcome. I have a feeling the engine needs to come out tout suite.

That is easily done:) The engine in, is another matter

In Ireland you get a cert of the licensed scrap metal company that is sufficient proof for the authorities, that your car has been legally scrapped. They don't care if the engine, wheels or any part is off the car, it only reflects in what you might get back for it in scrap metal value.
I've done this 5 times now, I ought to be taken off the forum but I've restored a few oldies as well and am still keeping the record of high mileage RHD XM use on a weekly basis

How did you find out?

If you're a member of a motoring organization, contact them for legal advice, which will be free. The RAC are good.
Do NOT have conversations with the insurance company over the phone - get everything in writing. Essential.
You do not have to accept their first offers; scare tactics are often used, and i.c. employees are often briefed to make the sort of offer you've had, and get incentivised to do so.
You should get not only some advice, but also an independent inspection and valuation.

The car is, and remains, your property until you accept an offer from the i.c. in exchange for a settlement. Keep the vehicle as legal as you can, and don't cancel the insurance on it - although you'll have to take a view on this if renewal time hits. I'm not sure whether the i.c. can declare the car no longer insured; advice needed here.

Make use of Google, Trading Standards, Citizens Advice Bureau, if need be. There's also the insurance ombudsman, or whatever he's called. (There is the BIA, or ABI, or..., but their job is to look after their members, not you.) The legal department of a motoring organization is your best bet, though.

This will be long haul for you, and may take some months to sort out. Be patient, keep cool, and stay in control and determined to get a fair deal for yourself. Time is on your side, at least for several months. Don't get intimidated by inadequate "final offers" which you will be told will time-expire.

Again, Russ, you must insist on everything in writing (that means letters, not e-mails). This itself will eventually wear them down, as well as buying you time.

You deserve better than is, matey.

Chris

Wish I could have put it like that Chris, but it's exactly what I meant!
Been there, but those companies are awful to deal with.
Besides; I thought it was fairly clear to all concerned, it wasn't your fault?

It may depend on the small print, but you should be able to keep the car for salvage.

Silly question, but it was definately the insurance company that called? I only ask because there was a well known BX written off in an accident the Monday after yours (luckily with no injuries) and within 48 hours the owner was getting calls about her car having to be collected for salvage. This was even before anyone had looked at it or decided if it was repairable, and some of them claimed to be 'phoning on behalf of her insurance company.

She's now dealing with the other party's insurance company direct, and they seem much better than her own company, that seems to have done nothing!

Oh, and from the sound of it, I'd be switching companies too if I were you.

Have a read of this:

https://www.abi.org.uk/~/media/Files/Do ... lvage.ashx

"The inspecting insurance staff or independent engineer must decide to which of the four categories a particular item of salvage
belongs, using current ETS (Engineer Technical Sub-committee) Guidelines."

Good advice above. Without the i.c.'s engineer's inspection, nothing sensible can happen. You might want a second opinion, of course.
Also, check out Glass's Guide to see what the industry thinks they're worth.
C.

Guys that's amazing thanks so much.

The car was evaluated by the IC engineers via photos. NOT seen the car in person. I asked if I could get it independently evaluated, and they said it might be a worse result. More scare mo getting I expect. but really it is a Cat B, you can tell. But what I was fed with some trash that Cat B, was it had to go with the next few days and nothing legally can be taken of it. The car is actually on SORN on private land. I have checked the government websites which clearly state no insurance is needed for Sorn. Annoyingly they have cancelled my insurance for it because it is due on the 13th. However this is slightly irrelevant as I SORNED it weeks ago. So as far as I can see, it is legal with regards to storage. And I think that's why they want to scrap it quickly because of insurance.

It just needs stripping and then the shell can be scrapped. Not asking for much. All I want is to hang on the car.

Asking for everything in writing is going to be my answer from now on. Really good point that everyone who has suggested that.

My big issue, and that's an interesting thing you bring up Mike, is the third parties who caused this mess, are not getting on with a settlement. They are still fighting over who is to blame. So nothing is moving, mean while my insurance company are trying to screw me over. So I can't go to the other insurance companies.

Anyone got a good insurance company? admiral is mine at the mo... Might not be for much longer....