Must I accept a low offer of compensation for repairs to my BMW 3 Series from a third party's insurance company?
My (almost) immaculate and reliable 2001 BMW 320i SE has been badly damaged by a driver who claimed he couldn't see me as he reversed. He has accepted full responsibility for the accident. My dealer says it will cost £2500 to repair the car, which requires two new doors and a repair to the rear nearside wheel arch. His insurance company want to write the car off and have offered me £1540, plus I get to keep the car. I have told them I will not accept this as I will lose out financially through no fault of my own. Can I insist on being returned to the position I was in before the accident - the owner of a sparkling 60,000 mile BMW 3 Series?
Asked on 16 November 2013 by DC, Leeds
Answered by
Honest John
Unfortunately, the County Courts have ruled that a financial settlement of the car's ‘market value’ puts you back in the situation you were in before the damage was done. So you have no alternative other than to accept the insurer's offer and try to find a cheaper repairer.
We give you the low down on how to save on insurance, little-known tricks and tips, what insurance groups mean and how to use insurance aggregators to beat insurers.
Insurance group finder and how to save on insuranceSimilar questions
I bought a 2003 BMW 540i Touring M-Sport in February 2017 from a dealer for £6900. It is a rare model and very high spec. I insured with Admiral fully comp. April 15th 2017, I pranged the front end of...
My wife's car was a 1995 Mazda 323 with 70,000 miles with FSH and in good condition. She loved it, put a personalised number plate on it and had intended to use it until she is too old to drive. Now it...
In February 2011 my wife purchased a 2005 Jaguar X-Type 2.0 D SE. The car had been a category D write-off (front end damage), but had been nicely repaired. She liked this car so much that she intended...
Elsewhere on 
