The Different Types of Insurance Write Off Explained

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When a car has been damaged extensively to the point where it cannot be repaired or the costs of repairs would exceed its current market value, it is then called an insurance write off. Every year hundreds of thousands of cars are involved in car accidents, thefts and fires. Insurance companies will classify some of these cars as write offs so that they do not spend more money on repairing the car than what's it's worth. So if you have reported an accident and your insurer believes your car is a write off, then don't despair as scrap metal also sells well and you may still be able to get a good amount of cash for it.

Categories for insurance write offs

They are as follows:

  • Category A is when parts can only be sold for scrap; the scrap value will not cover the cost of recovery or delivery in most cases.
  • Category B is when the vehicle itself cannot be used again but non-structural and roadworthy parts can be used in other vehicles; the vehicle body shell must be crushed.
  • Category C is when the vehicle can be salvaged but by doing so the parts and labour would exceed the value of the car so the insurer decides to write it off.
  • Category D is when the vehicle is repairable but the insurer decides that the car is a write off. For example deliveries for the parts are too long and hiring a car is too expensive.
  • Category F is when the car has been damaged by fire and the insurer decides not to repair it.
  • Category X is when the car can be repaired and can still be roadworthy.
  • Unrecorded insurance write off is usually when a driver does not report the accident to the insurer or was uninsured. An example would be a driver who has third party insurance only being involved in an accident that was their fault.

The procedure when dealing with a vehicle considered as a writeoff

If you've been in an accident and your insurer decides to class your car as total loss, then the following will happen:

  • Your damaged car will be moved from the garage to another storage place usually at a salvage dealer to avoid extortionate daily costs charged by garages
  • You will need to send original documents for the registration certificate (V5), MOT and insurance certificate.
  • Checks will be made to the HPI (Hire Purchase Information) to find out whether you have any outstanding finance on the vehicle. Your claim will also be recorded against the MIAFTR (Motor Insurance Anti Fraud and Theft Register).
  • After an assessment of the vehicle, a settlement proposal will be made to you and if you accept the value offered, the money will be credited to your account and more often than not, you will need to sign a form to say you're no longer the owner of the car but the insurance company is.

Having a car being written off by the insurance company is a lot of hassle. Insurers will usually offer a low value than what your car is really worth and most people accept this first offer as they do not know any better. If you can get a like for like replacement of your car with that money, then fine, grab it without hesitation but what if a similar car will cost you a lot more than that? Are you going to save up to get the car? No! You should look how much cars similar to the one you have are selling for. Get an average price and then contact your insurer and tell them that they are offering too little for the write-off car and you wouldn't be able to replace it. The key here is to negotiate until they give you a decent value for your car. Don't overdo it otherwise you'll be wasting your time but you need to be patient as well because the payout can take time if you're still negotiating but it's better to wait than having to find the money yourself. Don't rush into things as fast decisions are not very sensible when it comes to finance.

gices
gices Level 6
I'm a Software Developer and the co-founder of Clever Dodo. Born in Mauritius and now living in the UK, I usually blog about fitness, music, spirituality and driving topics to pass on my knowledge.

7 Replies

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unhappyoldster Level 1

Repair costs exceeding value of car, what should I do?

I crashed into another car at an angle of perhaps up to 40 degrees and insurers repair shop advises me that repair costs exceed value of car (nearly 10 years old). Airbags did not activate, car always serviced by main dealer. Car is Yaris Auto which has never been any problem.

[Migrated from previous topic 11383 dated 06 Sep 2010]

gices
gices Level 6

What exactly did you want  to know? Seems your question is missing some bits of information!

[Migrated from previous post 1232 dated 07 Sep 2010]

anonymous_2
anonymous_2 Level 1

I crashed into another car at an angle of perhaps up to 40 degrees and insurers repair shop advises me that repair costs exceed value of car (nearly 10 years old). Airbags did not activate, car always serviced by main dealer, and would dearly love to hear your thoughts about it.

anonymous_2
anonymous_2 Level 1

I bought a car that was a insurance write off unknowingly the seller would not refund me and the car had to be scrapped what can I do about it, they claimed the insurance back on while it was still taxed when I went to register it dvla wanted to send it

anonymous_2
anonymous_2 Level 1

Hi Today my car was written off after it was assessed after an accident last saturday. At present I haven't been given the type of catagory it is under. Is it best as the garage have deemed it a total loss to leave well alone, take the insurance money and buy another car? Or see if they can fix it but know I will never be able to sell it? The car in question is an 06 plate vw polo 1.4 tdi with 34000 miles on the clock. The damage is mainly to front of engine, drivers side wing, bonnet, bumper and radiator. I would much appreciate some advice.

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SamWright Level 1

Can the category be changed of the stolen recovered car that I have bought?

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PatAstbury Level 1

If my car is written off and I accept an offer from the insurance company can I buy the car back from them? It looks like the car will not be able to be repaired economically but it is still a good vehicle and a friend wants to buy it

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