How do you ensure that airbags will work in case of another accident? Very likely it was enough force to trigger the air bags to be deployed.

Airbag activation is a major reason for cars being written off. If it were not such case, the car would have been repaired by insurer instead of being written off.

I'm getting old! Of course, Airbag activation. Should have thought of that but went with my instinct. (which was to say no)

Very likely it was enough force to trigger the air bags to be deployed.

How did you determine that in this case?

If the airbags had gone off then it would almost certainly have been a cat B. Airbags themselves are v expensive and only go off anyway above a certain impact threshold so you can be certain the physical damage would be significant.

As an example I slammed my car sideways into a lorry a year ago (on ice). The side airbags did not go off and thanks to super strong Saab construction (and the impact being taken on the A pillar where the car is strong) it only needed a new passenger door and wing. Nevertheless it was a cat C write off. I made a profit on the payout even after repair and painting. I'm personally convinced that insurance write offs are often some kind of scam which favours the insurer (and those who trade in such cars) and disadvantages the owner.

Can't help agreeing with Skid though. It "feels" wrong from the info given.