14-12-2017, 02:23 PM
(14-12-2017, 08:22 AM)Martin Prior Wrote: Were this a modern car with similar damage, it would undoubtedly be a write-off. However, this car would appear to have become a total loss because the insurance company didn't understand what they were dealing with.
The sad thing is that anyone who knows anything about Austin Sevens would recognise that while the damage to the bodywork may look grim, it is not safety-critical. As long as the chassis hadn't been distorted, repairs would be quite simple and would certainly cost far less than the value of the car. Frustratingly, I actually have the secondhand panels to do the job if the originals were beyond straightening.
This would make me think very seriously about the implications of making a claim for "mid range" accidental damage to any of my cars.
Many insurers give the option of the owner retaining the "salvage" for (usually) a fairly nominal sum, but I suppose it then depends on the "category" , but if the chassis is not distorted, I think you could make a case for , what?, Cat B
An expert will know I am sure.
David