Ooops I lied near

Have you got your number plate insured as if you write of your car, they do not have to give you your plate back. As its there property if they payout for the car on a claim.

Ah, I will have to check that out

A cherished number remains your property if the car is written off, the car is re-registered in it's original number and you are given the retention certificate ready to apply to another vehicle (you have to pay the transfer fee obviously).