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Help ... Cat B write-off ... Is this the end for my TR


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Hi Folks, following a mobile assault by a foreign registered Peugeot 508 my TR came to rest on it's roof in a ditch beside the M20 in Kent ...... I must admit it needs a bit more than "T"Cut and a polish to fix this one, but the Insurance co. Ageas has declared it a Cat B write off and as such cannot be returned to me under any circumstances. Is this true, is there any way round this as the car has tremendous sentimental value to me not to mention the millions of bolt on goodies and the general feeling of it being "my car".

Anyone have any clues or pointers as to which way I should go with this?

Cheers Rob

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I would argue the case with the insurance company and try and get them to reclassify it as CAT C as a CAT B cannot be put back on the road. As its a "Classic car" it should only be CAT C.. CAT C is "Uneconomic repair" but obviously not to the classic world

Stuart.

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unless you've signed a waiver of rights in case of write-off, the car is your property and you do whatever you want with it me thinks. Written-off means that - in an insurability perspective - the car isn't and will not be road worthy ever and will never be insurable by any insurance company, but this does not affect ownership.

Edited by Geko
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I believe that the definitions may have changed but Cat B used to mean that the body shell cannot be repaired and must be disposed of (versus Cat A which means that the whole car has to be disposed of).

 

So strictly speaking your are able to put the chassis and almost everything else back on the road but cannot retain the body.

 

As mentioned above, may be worth asking the Insurer to reconsider classifying as a Cat C (uneconomical repair)

Edited by Hawk
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Agree with Stuart - argue the case with the insurance company, and ask Derek Hurford, (TR Reg insurance expert) for help -

Ian

Edited by cvtrian
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Insurance companies can be persuaded to re-classify the categories when they have clearly been over zealous - how do I know - because I have done it, admittedly not on a TR but thats not actually relevant.

 

Explain to them the difference between a modern monocoque eurobox and a classic with a separate chassis - they may not even appreciate it has a chassis! It's a massive difference which makes saving a classic such as this eminently viable and possible, hence it should be reclassified as a Cat C.

 

Cheers

Rich

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Get it back from them ASAP! Until you do, it's racking up 'storage charges' in some compound. Accept a lesser reimbursement, much greater than the pitiful scrap metal price, and strip it at home. There will be much that you can salvage, if you can bear the sorry task!

 

To be mercenary, if you want to sell the parts you can salvage, you will make more than you pay the insurer to keep it, or else they can appreciate in store until you need them for the new project.

You will have to return whatever is left, and the V5, to your insurer, as you cannot restore a CatB, and they must certify it 'destroyed'.

 

I've done this, and the face of the driver, sent with a car transporter lorry to collect mine, was a picture when I showed him the chassis, which was all that was left. The other bits, most of the suspension and the engine, went into the next one.

 

John

 

PS Honest John (no relation, honest) says that the categories changed in 2017:

  • A: Scrap
  • B: Break
  • S: Structurally damaged repairable
  • N: Non-structurally damaged repairable

A & B stay the same, but "B:Break" expresses it more tartly, and tells you that all re-usable parts may be re-used.

See: https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/news/tax-insurance-and-warranties/2017-06/insurance-write-off-categories-set-to-change/

J

Edited by john.r.davies
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Been there and repaired.

 

I agree get it back asap otherwise it will end up going for salvage/breaking on some internet site. See if the insurance company will change the CAT if not make them an offer for it. Then at least you could strip her and go from there, or simply don't claim, pay the storage and transport to get her home. after all she is your car.

 

As to it been repairable anything is given the time, money and your skills esp if the car means a lot to you.

 

Best of luck hope you get her back.

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When I had the car site we come across cat b,s ,the sellers would repair them tax it then sell them but dvla wouldn't release the log book, I only ever got one over turned when the car squad from Chalk Farm inspected it ,

It's much easier if you get the salvage back home then you have a chance ,but keep firm , its your car and will take less money plus the salvage.

Good luck

Nick

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Hi Rob

 

As others have said query the category, there are a lot of assessors out there who have little knowledge of how classics were built and can be repaired.

I was told this a couple of years ago by a semi retired assessor that sometimes comes to one of our local open car meets.

 

Also if you push to retain/purchase the salvage they are more likely to review their position. Also I believe you can employ an independent assessor with knowledge of classics to inspect the car on your behalf.

 

Be prepared for a battle and don't give in, until the claim is settled it's your car.

 

Hope all goes well

 

Brian

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Hi Folks, thank's for all the comments etc, and I'm glad to say it was only me in the car and I escaped with just a couple of scratches on my arm thanks to the Surrey Hard top, the high backed MX5 seats and me having time to remember a tale from one of our racing chaps about how he tucked down below the dash when a high speed roll was inevitable (static seat belts helped me with this manoeuvre!!).

Sadly, having seen the photos showing that only one panel is not damaged, I've decided to take the insurance pay out, I strongly doubt I could exceed the amount offered by selling off the parts and having the car home here while I did so would be even more painful than just letting it go.

So, I've got a TR shaped space in the garage and will have some money burning a hole in my pocket very soon, does anyone have a '65 or so TR4A with overdrive and painted in White for sale, or know of one? Not looking for a perfect car, just an honest Practical Classic.

Thanks everyone,

Cheers Rob

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Hello Rob

 

Good to see you are okay following this nasty experience.

 

Whats your views on the insurance company Ageas?

 

I'm currently with the TR Register A Plan, its up for renewal and I have had no reason to use to them during the past year and likely to renew. I wonder if they (A Plan) would have been more sympathetic and understanding?

 

Good luck with your hunt for a another TR.

Edited by MikeThomas
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Hi Mike, well they have offered the agreed value with just the £100 excess reduction straight away so from that point of view they are doing what is says on the tin, I'm with the Brokers FootMan James and they placed the policy with Ageas, some time ago the drivers door was ripped from my hands by a gale force wind and smashed it's self against the front wing, this was repaired using a new door skin by the insurance with no quibbles at all, just once again the £100 excess and virtually no change to the next annual premium, so for me Classic car insurance has worked out OK.

Cheers Rob

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  • 2 weeks later...

Bit of an update, Stephen thanks for your comments about Ageas, like a nagging tooth the thought of total loss wouldn't go away, so to cut a long story short Ageas engineers dept. have agreed to change the car to a Cat S and I get it back, ...... a reduction in the payout but i was prepared for that, ........... you want to see the size of my shopping list!! .... bit of a winter project on the cards .... (for the next three winters!!) ..... a result!!

Views on Ageas? ....... helpful and they listen to the Classic Car arguments.

Cheers Rob

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Hello Rob

 

Looks like your determination has paid off with a great result for you, I don't envy your next three winters!

 

Thanks for the feedback with the insurance company, always good to hear positive comments.

 

Best wishes,

Mike

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Well done, Rob! For persuading the insurer to change the class to a rebuildable one, so you retain the V5, and for taking on what will be a massive and initailly distressing task.

Please send updates of progress, for our and your encouragement!

 

John

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Rob

 

I think part of this thread was lost in the outage of the forum earlier in the week - I sent you a PM at the time which was also lost from my message box, but I'm not sure if you saw it and/or it was lost from your message box beforehand so have sent you another PM

 

Cheers

Rich

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