Suzuki Grand Vitara 5 Dr TDi - Wife's car....accident ..insurance although no MOT

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Thu 20 Jan 2011 10:26
Suzuki Grand Vitara 5 Dr TDi - Wife's car....accident ..insurance although no MOT - 2wheels
Wife skidded on black ice and ended up in the ditch - no one else involved. She walked away OK. Seems the car will be an economic write off. She has full comprehensive insurance, tax and service history although when we went to get all the documention out and ready she'd forgotten to get the MOT renewed when it was in for a service last November (car has full service history). We have records of MOT certs upto expiry of the last one in Nov 10. The insurance could now been nulled, but do you think the insurance company could be sympathetic to her sitiuation? otherwise she has a previously spotless driving record. Also would you recommend coming clean straight away with the insurance company or wait until their assessor has been out and they give the final verdict on the claim?
Any advice or direction would be most appreciated.
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Thu 20 Jan 2011 11:23
Suzuki Grand Vitara 5 Dr TDi - Wife's car....accident ..insurance although no MOT - LucyBC
Very few insurers will refuse to pay out if an MoT was not in place unless the accident resulted directly from a mechanical failing that an MOT might have picked up - when they may invoke a degree of contributory negligence. Some insurers have attempted to write a clause re no MoT into their policies but these have been thrown out by both the courts and the Ombudsman. The critical clause will usually be that the vehicle was in a roadworthy condition.

The lack of an MOT on a written off vehicle has some effect because the value of a car without an MOT can be argued to be lower than that with a MOT but the difference is usually marginal. If the car is/was repairable it should make no difference to the claim.

Its always better to come clean when in a situation like this. Not doing so will only delay matters so tell them straight away.

And come back and let us know the outcome.
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Thu 20 Jan 2011 23:31
Suzuki Grand Vitara 5 Dr TDi - Wife's car....accident ..insurance although no MOT - 2wheels
Many thanks for your reply.
Since I wrote things seem to have started to make to turn for the better as the insurance company have now at least verbally agreed to repair the vehicle.
It is been a traumatic experience especially for my wife and this hasn't been made any easier by having to deal via call centres.
We'll let you know what the outcome is. Thanks again.
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Thu 10 Feb 2011 10:02
Suzuki Grand Vitara 5 Dr TDi - Wife's car....accident ..insurance although no MOT - 2wheels

This is almost done now. Car ended up being an economic right-off but the assessor made us what we considered a fair offer. Regarding not having an upto date MOT the assessor said he could tell the car had been looked after and properly maintained and was in a road worthy condition at the time of the accident (full service history, receipts for new tyres etc). They reduced the amount they offered by only 5% of the original because of this. Cheque still to arrive but should just be a matter of days. Lucky old wife ends up with a new Kuga now!!

Thanks again for your advice.

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Thu 10 Feb 2011 10:22
Suzuki Grand Vitara 5 Dr TDi - Wife's car....accident ..insurance although no MOT - LucyBC
Well done.
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