I got hit on the M11 last week and have been told today that the car is a total loss. So if looks like I will now have the usual dispute of how much the car is worth to deal with.

The damage is rear wing, rear light, bumper trim, rear door, front door, door trims, door mirror, rear door glass, wheel, tyre and suspected rear suspension damage.

The car is a 2007 elegance 2.0tdi 140 bhp in metallic grey with a full service history and its done 157000 miles. As I've had it from new I know and trust the car. It's never let me down and has only ever had genuine VAG parts on it.

Now the question is how much is it worth. To me its probably worth a lot more than the insurance will offer as I had always intended to have it for 10 years or 250000 miles, which it would easily do. If the other driver admits liability does the valuation come from their insurer or mine? Can I ask either insurer to replace the car like for like or will I have to accept their valuation? In my mind I would only accept a replacement car from an approved skoda used car dealership as that has some safeguards as to the condition of the car. Do insurers still allow the option of keeping the car and having the repairs done privately?

A lot of questions, but its been a long time since I had any accidents.

You will be able to negotiate with the insurer, naturally they will make a low offer in the hope you'll accept, although this attitude varies across the different insurance companies.

 

As you mention the car is worth more to you than it's current market value, purely down to the way you've maintained it and it's pedigree.

 

For that reason you will have to work hard to maximise your payout.

 

I fear you may struggle to get a car of that vintage (2007 / 2008) from a franchised Skoda main dealer as these models are now too old for them to retail on their forecourts.

 

It sucks but you'll struggle to find an 8 year old Octavia with 160,000 miles on it that will be as good as yours. You know your car is good, you've no way of knowing for sure that a second hand purchase will be as good.

 

I think you should aim for the maximum payout and then put some of your own money towards it to get a younger car. Not ideal but it is now about making the best of a bad situation.

 

Another possible option would be to take the money, buy the car back off the insurance company and have it repaired yourself. The list of damage sounds pretty severe though so this may not be feasible.

 

There is a dedicated insurance forum too which may also shed some light on the best ways to maximise the payout...

 

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/forum/247-insurance-legal-issues/

 

Good luck.

I've been told the value of bodywork repairs was £3400 without the suspected suspension damage.

Have a read of this from the Financial Ombudsman - clicky.  It may be useful to you if you end up disputing any offer made.

Who should the offer come from? Would if be my insurance company or the other parties if/when they admit fault?