What does category C mean?
18 March 2003, 12:08 PM
#1
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Car described as insurance claim category C. What does it mean? What checks would I need to make? What is the likely impact on the cars value?
18 March 2003, 12:11 PM
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Means "RUN AWAY SCREAMING" i.e. complete write off, put back one road....
http://www.autolocate.co.uk/aa/usedcarwriteoff.html
[Edited by Dan B - 3/18/2003 12:15:32 PM]
http://www.autolocate.co.uk/aa/usedcarwriteoff.html
[Edited by Dan B - 3/18/2003 12:15:32 PM]
18 March 2003, 12:20 PM
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It means it's been pre-crashed for you! 
Seriously now... there's 4 grades of writeoff A through to F. (D is the least severe amount of damage)
A & B should never see the road again where as C and D can be repaired although insurance companies say it's not cost effective for them to do it. Given the inflated prices that many bodyshops charge for insurance jobs, I can see why so many cars are written off! (I was quoted £500 for a £100 job once)
Most people will tell you to run away and find another car, as you'll struggle to sell it on, and it could cost you a lot of money in repairs etc.... It depends on what sort of a risk you are willing to take, how long you plan on keeping the car & how prepaired you are to get your hands dirty with repairs.
I would say that if the price is right (and I mean RIGHT - maybe 40 to 50% less than market value for a cat C...) and the car looks good - check ALL of the panel gaps & paint quality very carefully - check that it drives well at high speed (be careful!!) and looks like it has been cared for then it could be a good buy.
(Generally compare it to a non abused example, and do a cost/benefit analysis)
[Edited by dnb - 3/18/2003 12:22:48 PM]
Seriously now... there's 4 grades of writeoff A through to F. (D is the least severe amount of damage)
A & B should never see the road again where as C and D can be repaired although insurance companies say it's not cost effective for them to do it. Given the inflated prices that many bodyshops charge for insurance jobs, I can see why so many cars are written off! (I was quoted £500 for a £100 job once)
Most people will tell you to run away and find another car, as you'll struggle to sell it on, and it could cost you a lot of money in repairs etc.... It depends on what sort of a risk you are willing to take, how long you plan on keeping the car & how prepaired you are to get your hands dirty with repairs.
I would say that if the price is right (and I mean RIGHT - maybe 40 to 50% less than market value for a cat C...) and the car looks good - check ALL of the panel gaps & paint quality very carefully - check that it drives well at high speed (be careful!!) and looks like it has been cared for then it could be a good buy.
(Generally compare it to a non abused example, and do a cost/benefit analysis
)[Edited by dnb - 3/18/2003 12:22:48 PM]
18 March 2003, 12:56 PM
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Hi all, interesting one this. As I recently had a full write off claim for my Omega. I drove through a flood - water got in the engine and it seized. Stupid **** that I am?
The was no other damage to the car. So all it needed was a new engine....2nd hand probably £1500 and £500 fitting. But the insurance company would only fit a NEW engine - priced at £4700 from manufacturer. As this was more than 60% of the value of the car, the car was written off.
So in the above case - a new engine and the car would have been completely fine. So I guess - you must find out why it was written off and check with the previous owner etc.
Jim
The was no other damage to the car. So all it needed was a new engine....2nd hand probably £1500 and £500 fitting. But the insurance company would only fit a NEW engine - priced at £4700 from manufacturer. As this was more than 60% of the value of the car, the car was written off.
So in the above case - a new engine and the car would have been completely fine. So I guess - you must find out why it was written off and check with the previous owner etc.
Jim
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