Insurance pay out for accident

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hello I would like a bit of advice on dealing with an insurance claim
from anyone who has been in a similar position.

I was involved in an accident and the other persons insurance has accepted full responsibility.

My car a Fiat Stilo 1.7 petrol 2002 with 62000 on the clock is in pretty good condition. I have just taxed it for another 6 months and was hoping to run it until the tax runs out before looking for another car.

The insurance guy at aviva said that usually with a car of that age they just offer a cash write off and then take the car. I asked if it would be possible to offer them something for my car and keep it. They are sending an engineer to inspect the car.

It has mainly drivers door damage and a little front wing and rear door.
Drivers door now has a small gap at the top from the main body.
So it would be respray of 3 panels I don't know if it would mean a completely new door. I am driving the car at the moment.

Looking on ebay and autotrader the fiat prices seem to vary quite a lot.
Anywhere from about £600-£1500.

Any advice on best way to handle this?
 
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Produce adverts of the £1500 cars (at least 3, and make sure they are directly equivalent to your car, or worse) as convincing evidence. Get as much as possible from the insurance company - perhaps not £1500, but you'll be wanting £1000-1200 at least. Then buy another car with the money. For £1200 I'd seriously consider either Ford Focus, VW Golf or perhaps Peugeot 307 (estate diesel though - avoid the petrols and hatchbacks). Buy another Fiat Stilo if you must, but it does seem they have a poor reputation for reliability, I appreciate you liked your previous one but you were probably just lucky it was (reasonably) reliable.
 
If you buy it back, you'll then be in possession of a car with a "write-off" category on the V5C. Makes it harder to sell second hand (if you wanted to) and you get peanuts for a trade-in.

Nozzle
 
If you buy it back, you'll then be in possession of a car with a "write-off" category on the V5C. Makes it harder to sell second hand (if you wanted to) and you get peanuts for a trade-in.

Nozzle

I only paid £500 for it anyway and that was with 6 months road tax on (£143)
So I'll see what they are offering. Once I've finished using it will be ebay for £100-£200 or straight for scrap as I usually get about £150 for them
at least.
 
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Secondhand door of the same colour and same for the wing/rear door if needed. Don't even think about getting a body shop to have a look, its just not worth the cost.

Whatever they offer don't say yes, keep pushing and have details of main dealer equivalent cars that in your opinion will just replace the car (not compensate for hassle/stress). Don't take a car they supply as a replacement instead of a cheque

The gap in the top of the door might well be the pillar the door is hinged on. The A pillar could be twisted, so that's the shell going for scrap, well until you get paid, anyway.

Did they not offer you a courtesy car, you are saving them a fortune.
 
as above do not except there 1st offer.
bear in mind if they were to replace your car they wouldnt be looking at ebay or any motor trading mags,they would be looking at dealer prices.
but also remember there bible will only give a general price AND always favours the dealer/insurance company etc.
 
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