Insurance - Proving modification value?

**terrybullwon** · 15 January 2007, 19:55

Cat B Or A can only be sold to licenced salvage yard, which is not very fair. I dont see why you shouldnt be aloud to take all your parts from the car?

Would it help if one of us with a 3B put it up for sale some where

**Ross** · 15 January 2007, 20:13

Originally posted by terrybullwon

Cat B Or A can only be sold to licenced salvage yard, which is not very fair. I dont see why you shouldnt be aloud to take all your parts from the car?

Would it help if one of us with a 3B put it up for sale some where

OK didn't realise that it has to go to a licensed salvage yard - could be a right pain in the butt. Technically, the insurance co. could be on a winner buying my "parts" for less than they're worth

as if I'd take that offer!!

An example of a lovely modified 3B coming up for sale might be helpful btw

Cheers
Ross

**Fat Audi 80** · 15 January 2007, 20:15

Ross,

I would go on Pistonheads and ask the question regarding the CAT B write off. I am sure someone on there will know.

I am pretty sure it is YOUR car. You can keep it but cannot repair it etc....

DO NOT let them have your car its YOURS.

Also, never take their first offer. Play the waiting game and look for a few other cars out there as examples and add the cost of your mods to them. (Your mods were covered on your insurance weren't they?)

P.S. When can I come and see the new ride?

Cheers.

Steve.

**topsparky** · 15 January 2007, 20:43

had the same problem with mine last year ,mine was un modded and they only offered my £3555 less £275 excess
tried fighting it but to no avail
if i was you i would strip it and say it's been nicked(just kidding)

**Rusty** · 15 January 2007, 21:05

Don't accept their first offer, hold out and keep fighting until you're happy(ish). As it's a rare car, finding another one like yours for sale is going ot be interesting.

As ever, good luck fella.

**twoqu** · 15 January 2007, 21:27

Well if mods don't increase the value then they shouldn't mind you taking them back off! Of course you would replace the items with whatever ***** you can find laying around! For example how much is the s/h value of say your turbo versus the s/h value of a 15 year old 3b one?
Guess it depends whether you have a salvage clause! Most modified car insurances have one as they appreciate the increased value over and above a stock example.
Sounds like they are trying the like for like get out clause. In that case, tell them to come down with their cheque book whilst you try and find a car in similiar condition with similiar mods!
Presumably they charged you more when you declared your mods, partly because of the increased risk but also I would argue the increase in value. So how come now, you are being treated as having a stock example?

**Ross** · 15 January 2007, 21:32

Not an issue with the mods, or at least I thought - I paid the extra to change to Flux who offer 'like for like' on replacement of mods. If the car could be repaired, they'd replace the modded parts with equivalent. Of course, in the event of Total Loss the water becomes a bit murky.

I suspect that the parts would be worth more than the value they're offering me, so their offer really is a piss-take! The car is still mine until I accept their offer, technically I could take nothing and keep the car but I didn't buy Fully Comp for nothin

I'm thinking of mentioning that if I can strip the car and let them take the shell, and take 'stock' value, my losses will be swallowable - they're not paying out for the mods AND still get to dispose of the car. Or they can let me keep it, and keep the resposibility of ensuring it's destroyed by a licensed establishment. Better that paying months of storage as they battle against my claim to have the value of a 'stock' car modded by a reputed garage to equivalent standard (not an unfair request I might add) surely!!!

@Steve, any time mate except I'm on nights till thursday!

Cheers
Ross

**volcano rs** · 15 January 2007, 21:35

if i was you mate get yourself down there and take off all the best bits and swap them for any old rubbish like robin said . thats the only way to get something back on what you've spent .

**s2dude** · 15 January 2007, 21:38

Not been there with a modified car Ross but have with a non modified one....You might be better not to claim and to break the car and sell all the parts maybe??

reason I say that is because the assessor has already been out to see your car? and Im assuming went over all of your modifications? (any pics?) I think technically the entire car will be the insurers property once they pay out on it.

Could be wrong here but thats my understanding from my last "total loss" insurance payout. Having said that they let me keep the car but it was only an old cavalier and not worth Zero to them I think was the reason!!

Do you actually have the car in your possession ATM??
If so, I think you would definately need to get their permission to strip parts off it!!

Though you could probably swap or remove things they couldnt see

Like get a bone stock 3b engine fitted maybe...or if it was me I would defo change back to standard IM and certainly EM and turbo..put ecu chips back to stock (pm me if you need a some stock ones). You could then go back to stock injectors....etc
Basically things that are not immediately or visibly obvious! The RS2 IM stands out a bit though so you may have to leave that on

**twoqu** · 15 January 2007, 21:50

Ross,

So this wasn't an agreed value policy?

**Ross** · 15 January 2007, 22:40

No agreed value, in my naivety I didn't ever expect to need to use it

I gave a value on the mods in terms of parts, but it aparrently is just a guide-price.

The engineer wasn't interested in mods. He had a look at the car figured it was a write-off and then called me about 2 weeks later. He said I'd have to negociate the value of the mods with them directly.

I never went for an RS2-IM on the Coupe (have one on the Avant though), so not an issue. Of course if they took it (which they won't) I'd swap EM, turbo, injectors etc prior. If the engineer wasn't informed about mods, I doubt the breakers yard would be expecting anything other than stock. Some bits were removed as they were dangling off and others for transport/safety by the recovery co. so surely the engine could be removed for safety, in case it's leaking toxic fluids etc :mischeif: oh and the HIDs weren't declared, ripped those out and they are now on the Avant

The car is currently at Corey's, he was able to act as a 'repairer', great help sorting out the insurance and engineer appointments etc. And as a bodyguard as they've already tried to take the car for breaking - before I've even settled!!

**MidnightBlueS2** · 15 January 2007, 23:08

Originally posted by Ross

...And as a bodyguard as they've already tried to take the car for breaking - before I've even settled!!

Hi Ross !

Hang in there buddy !
If I were you, next time you're on the phone with them, I'd also point out that they tried to take YOUR CAR to CRUSH it WITHOUT your WRITTEN permission/ proof of settlement.

Sometimes, I really would like to whack the so-called "car experts" at insurance companies who actually know fâck all about enthusiast cars and how rare they are and how hard and expensive it is to keep them running properly.
Strangely, they have no problem demanding high premiums as " well, you drive an exotic veh Sir !" but when it comes to compensate you, you get the phone call with a ridiculous offer as "well, it's only a 15 year old Audi 80 Sir"

Take care, Ross.

David

**CHEN** · 16 January 2007, 07:50

Being a breakers yard, we have had absolutly loads of smashed up cars in. Like a UR S4. No wonder it crashed the brake callipers werent fitted properly, the exhaust manifold and turbo were all finger tight and the ecu was missing, if you get my drift. Modded bits being badly replaced by standard happens all the time. Also because we are registered as a breakers yard cant you make them sell it to us? Well I suppose once you settle it is there car so they are bound to auction it.

**Robatron** · 16 January 2007, 08:55

My friend wrote off his Bora V5 about a month or so ago. He paid around £3k and it was absolutely fully loaded.

Ofcourse coming to pay him out they offered him peanuts, he accepted and then we took a trip to the yard where its being held and stripped it completely. We took the sat nav out, climate control, radio system, gps aerial (that required us taking the rooflining out), seats, trim, etc..

I think all that should put him well in pocket when he comes to sell.

Insurance - Proving modification value?

Insurance - Proving modification value?

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