How much damage makes a written-off vehicle? [Archive]

FeRgO

08-03-2009, 07:06 PM

what percentage of a cars value worth of damage would write it off?

i was rear-ended last night by a friends sister, my car has the following damage:
VYSS

rear bumper demolished
LHR quater panel pushed down and creases in the door arch near wheel
LHR door wont close properly, panel gap closed past overlapping by 1 or 2 mm
Boot floor creased, spare wheel well pushed up approx 80mm
panel gap on RHR door opened, leading me to believe the rear end was 'pushed"
over to the left slightly

plasic carpet/spare wheel cover bowed up due to boot being pushed in

i believe the towbar wore most of the impact causing the floor to buckle, it was one hell of a hit with me nearly stationary and she was travelling at approx 60kmh on impact

without being able to get a quote friends have looked at rate the damage as a $5000+ job with jig time and repairs.... redbook quotes market value as being

* Private Price Guide $13,900 - $15,900
* Trade In Price Guide $10,300 - $12,300
* Average Km 90,000 - 150,000

with my car having travelled approx 128,000km.

any ideas? i can get pics up just as soon as i charge my digital camera

Mungrel

08-03-2009, 07:18 PM

I believe theres many factors at play.

I'm not sure of the exact figure but if a repair quotation is X% of the vehicle's insured value, it'll be written off.

Having said that, in my current industry, i've seen a late model Clio with a small nudge in the front - all air bags deployd - written off as the cost to replace all airbags and modules was some astronomical figure.

On the flip side, we've also had a late model 307 hatch, LHS roof & B pillar stoved in marked as "Repairable Write-Off" Even more baffling, a '00 Golf 4 Hatch, rolled, every panel damaged, roof stoved in, also marked "Repairable Write-Off" The structural integrity in both vehicles would be seriously compromised IMO.

Wonky

08-03-2009, 07:24 PM

From what you've said I would guess it would be a write off unfortunately. Even late model cars can be written off if they've been hit hard enough to get creases in non bolt-on panels. The good thing about write offs is sometimes you get first say at whether to buy it back for what they would otherwise sell it to a wrecker for (not much compared to cost of the good parts left).

adamc11

08-03-2009, 07:46 PM

Sounds written off too me, the whole rear end of the car has been pushed forward and that isn't the easiest and cheapest thing to fix.

FeRgO

08-03-2009, 07:52 PM

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r101/FeRgZBT1/DSC02713Medium.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r101/FeRgZBT1/DSC02705Medium.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r101/FeRgZBT1/DSC02704Medium.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r101/FeRgZBT1/DSC02703Medium.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r101/FeRgZBT1/DSC02702Medium.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r101/FeRgZBT1/DSC02689Medium.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r101/FeRgZBT1/DSC02690Medium.jpg

Speedy Gonzales

08-03-2009, 08:01 PM

Id say it would be a write off, just walk into any Holden spares, get a parts guy to have a look and quote for all the parts that need replacing.

Add paint, labour, GST, I think the ballpark figure is 70%, that and more, seeya later, new car.

BLACKVE

08-03-2009, 08:04 PM

looking at those pics should be fixed not that bad good pull on a jig will fix most probs!!!!!!!!!!!

Still probally around the $5000 mark

Muncha

08-03-2009, 08:12 PM

Normally it is around 70% of the value of the car, depending on the insurance company some go higher some lower.

Some companies even let you pay the difference to get it repaired, IE if it was worth $10k and the damage went to $8k they would pay up to $7k and you would pay the extra $1k. That's if you want to keep it.

Id say it would be a write off, just walk into any Holden spares, get a parts guy to have a look and quote for all the parts that need replacing.

Add paint, labour, GST, I think the ballpark figure is 70%, that and more, seeya later, new car.

Getting the parts guy verses a panel shop to quote the car isn't the best idea. Most panel shops get discounts on parts so go to a panel shop and get them to quote it.

Speedy Gonzales

08-03-2009, 08:38 PM

Getting the parts guy verses a panel shop to quote the car isn't the best idea. Most panel shops get discounts on parts so go to a panel shop and get them to quote it.

If a panel shop is giving discounts on parts, Id be questioning whether those parts are second hand from a wreck, remanufactured, recoed or non genuine.

If it were my car, Id want to know full retail price, genuine part, brand new because the car prior to accident was technically brand new, no secrets, nothing to hide, everything up front, unlike some of the sponsors and members here :)

Muncha

08-03-2009, 08:45 PM

Discounts from the dealerships, brand new genuine parts that they can get cheaper then the guy of the street because they might spend $20-$30k plus a month on parts. Sometimes they get as much as 30% of list price.

I totally agree on using genuine parts, no shonky stuff going on here.

SVNLTR

08-03-2009, 08:46 PM

$5000.00 to repair that........:confused:

Thats a days work at about $25-$35 and hour without parts-

It needs a good pull and some door hinges-

eldan89

08-03-2009, 08:53 PM

without being able to get a quote friends have looked at rate the damage as a $5000+ job with jig time and repairs.... redbook quotes market value as being

Price wise I believe reasonably spot on, although I would say it would be closer to $6000+ . Looking at the pics the towbar has certainly taken a very large amount of force, from what i've experienced the boot floor normally crumples in quite substantially in a rear ender. But in your case the whole rear end of the car has distorted. I really hope that your car will be written off (no offense) but I don't think cars feel the same after they've taken a hit like that. Plus all the time you won't have your car for whilst its being repaired.

Speedy Gonzales

08-03-2009, 09:24 PM

Price wise I believe reasonably spot on, although I would say it would be closer to $6000+ . Looking at the pics the towbar has certainly taken a very large amount of force, from what i've experienced the boot floor normally crumples in quite substantially in a rear ender. But in your case the whole rear end of the car has distorted. I really hope that your car will be written off (no offense) but I don't think cars feel the same after they've taken a hit like that. Plus all the time you won't have your car for whilst its being repaired.

There was a bloke here who had a new VE, ( maybe he will chime in ) not even a month and it got a light tap up the rear which shifted the whole rear end of the car out of alignment. It was written off.

People only see whats on the surface, the suspension, the diff, the tailshaft, everything underneath which you cant see except up on a hoist, could need replacing, and a hit like that, I would think its highly probable that things underneath could be bent, cracked, or shifted.

mangusta

08-03-2009, 10:09 PM

Most insurance co's will write off a car if a pillar has moved... If the front door is affected at all, will def. be write off. You might be able to buy the car back and repair, but if they offer enough, you would be better off getting another car.

Remember, they don't insure you to look after your car, they do it to make money.

FeRgO

08-03-2009, 10:22 PM

thanks for your replies, anyone else in the know feel free to keep the replies comin. i have spoken with a friend of a friend who works at the insurance company that she's insured with and apparently their write off policy is 70% of the value of the car. so damage wold have to be in the vicinity of 10k before a write off (unless there is severe structural damage that i cannot see)
the pillars do not look like they have moved, just that crease in the LHR door arch that worries me.

mangusta

08-03-2009, 10:53 PM

By pillar I mean the column from top to bottom, so the back door not closing right is a real problem. They might be ok with it as it could just be the panel on the outside, take a look up the LHS of the boot (inside) with a torch and see if the formed column down the inside is bent.

VZ_V8

08-03-2009, 11:43 PM

I've seen a lot worse than that come and go from my dads workshop. I would say that the repair bill would definitely come in at well under $10K. As far as damage goes, based on the pics it doesn't look all that bad to me.

This is bad.... and look how it came out....
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o64/tim6489/th_IMG_2751800x600.jpg (http://s117.photobucket.com/albums/o64/tim6489/?action=view&current=IMG_2751800x600.jpg) http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o64/tim6489/VZ%20SS%20Thunder%20Finished/th_Side.jpg (http://s117.photobucket.com/albums/o64/tim6489/VZ%20SS%20Thunder%20Finished/?action=view&current=Side.jpg)
Gaps are perfect, measures up perfect on the autorobot, a suspension shop measured up all adjustments and everything were correct

Who says driving a damaged car is bad? Its all in your head. I have two mates with VY SS's and both have driven my car and said they cant believe how much smoother and nicer it is to drive than their cars and neither of theirs have been pranged. Its all about who repairs it.

Wonky

09-03-2009, 12:10 AM

Its all about who repairs it.

Ain't that the truth!! :yup:

FeRgO

10-03-2009, 08:15 AM

Marco

10-03-2009, 08:53 AM

From what you're saying about the LHR door not closing properly and the RHR door now being out of alignment with the RHR quarter panel, that's starting to look like a replacement of everything behind the rear seats - at least the two quarters, boot floor and rear bar if nothing else. That's not a simple unbolt and replace, that involves cutting old panels off and welding new ones on. And you'll also need a new rear bar and possibly also a bootlid.

Those panels won't be cheap, and then there's the labour involved in putting it all back together. Then, to get the colour to blend properly, they would probably also need to paint at least the rear doors and most of the roof. Then, of course, there's the possibility of your exhaust being damaged, or maybe your driveshaft or diff now has a problem...it's all adding up.

Big_Valven

10-03-2009, 09:19 AM

I might go against the majority here but my VX was repaired with the bill being around 90% of the car's value... mainly suspension components and some panels though, the chassis itself was fine. I must say in your case things don't look good but there is no way to know for sure until they get back to you, I umm'd and ahhh'd for about 3 1/2 months while they dicked around and finally they said they'd repair it - had no idea.

Who says driving a damaged car is bad? Its all in your head. I have two mates with VY SS's and both have driven my car and said they cant believe how much smoother and nicer it is to drive than their cars and neither of theirs have been pranged. Its all about who repairs it.

I agree. I get in my car now and it drives smoother, handles better, wears tyres better, is quieter, more confident handling at speed, and better looking than before the accident. Can't say no to that.

Boom

10-03-2009, 11:08 AM

Just get a quote.

There are some knowledgeable people here, and going by some of the posts, people that just dont have a clue.

A panel beater will give an accurate indication of whether it will be written off.

He will know the differences between the insurance companies policies.

HSV_CRUZN

11-03-2009, 09:45 AM

Ill agree with the, 'IT DEPENDS WHO REPAIRS IT' line. Ive had a great car been smashed pretty badly, gone away to the panel beaters(through insurance for 3 months) and it came back a perfect car, much better than it was before the accident and it was pretty hard to fault before hand.

Caroliners are wonderful things

TheRealMadMax

11-03-2009, 02:43 PM

Insurers apply general rules of 70% or 80% market value, however, some people have agreed value, which stuffs up the figures. Not all claims will be written off according to the 70/80% rule. Sometimes, the assessor/reparier can easily see what needs repairing, therefore, there are no 'hidden' costs. Other times, they can't see what is damaged behind panels etc., therefore, they might choose to write off, even though the quote is only 65% of market value. It is on a case by case basis.

The idea behind a 70% rule is that the cost of repairs, plus the salvage value (sale at auction) will be close to 100% of the market value, hence it is more economical to avoid the possibility of finding further damage (and cost), so they write off.

Insurers will also write off more cars during natural catastrophes, e.g. hail storms. Yes the damage is less than 70%, however they don't want 1000's of hail damage cars waiting to be repaired.

planetdavo

11-03-2009, 07:43 PM

$5000.00 to repair that........:confused:

Thats a days work at about $25-$35 and hour without parts-

It needs a good pull and some door hinges-
A days work at $25 per hour and a couple of minor parts?
:lmao:
Not if you want it back in a "before accident" condition.

Id say it would be a write off, just walk into any Holden spares, get a parts guy to have a look and quote for all the parts that need replacing.
Just don't steer them my way please. :)
We all just LOVE getting a retail call asking for major smash quotes, when you know full well it will achieve zero sales to said customer, especially these days with EPC4 taking half an hour to do quotes of this nature!
Your comment was potentially helpful, but it really needs trained smash repairers viewing the car to really know what needs replacing, and what can be repaired.

FeRgO

11-03-2009, 10:00 PM

well ive had it looked at, seems to be far from a write off as far as the repairer(s) are concerned, with approx $5000 damage. waiting on the insurers to get back to me now, and i have to take the car to their assessors next tuesday for a look.