Fiat Panda - Beyond economical repair - Can I have my car back?

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Tue 7 Sep 2021 20:44
Fiat Panda - Beyond economical repair - Can I have my car back? - endure

I have a Fiat Panda which is worth about £600. On Saturday I had an accident which damaged the bumper and knocked the number plate off but otherwise did no damage at all. I've replaced the number plate and the car is still driveable.

I reported it to my insurer (AVIVA) and have had an email from them today saying that the car is probably beyond economical repair but they're sending someone to take it away and have a look to see if it is repairable. If not they will offer me what they think it's worth less the £150 excess I have on the policy and scrap it.

As it's still driveable and it suits me (small and cheap and I only do a few miles a week) I'd like to hang on to it. Is this possible? How does the 'beyond economical repair' thing work?

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Tue 7 Sep 2021 20:50
Fiat Panda - Beyond economical repair - Can I have my car back? - sammy1

Just tell them you are NOT claiming for damage to your car. They do not own it

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Tue 7 Sep 2021 23:16
Fiat Panda - Beyond economical repair - Can I have my car back? - Andrew-T

Make sure they know you aren't claiming. Your mistake was to advise them of a trivial incident which didn't affect the running of the car, and which you could easily fix yourself - provided no third party is interested in taking it further.

In any case if they chose to 'write off' the car, you could ask to keep it for repair, and they would offer you a smaller sum. But as the car is worth little, simply say you are not claiming - which might increase next year's premium anyway.

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