Citroen XM Forum

Dieselman what do you mean it can only be put on V-Car?

Will, I've just looked at that BX Forum thread and as a result will be very careful to detail the damage when I relist! It seems to get people really wound up. Truth is, it was a superficial dent (picture in the listing), yet the third party insurance company deemed it beyond economical repair and gave me a cheque for the value of the car instead. Suited me since I needed the money more than an immacualte car. They didn't tell me thougyh that they would be putting a VIC marker against it and not having been in this situation before I didn't know that it had to get a VIC check before I can transfer ownership on the V5 document.

Hi,

I went through the same thing with my 405 GTX TD estate. Just a badly dinted hatch but they wrote it off, I bought it back, fitted another door and passed it onto the wife because I'd bought my first Citroen (Xantia 2.0 HDi Exclusive). After a couple of weeks the agency sent her a letter about producing the car for a VIN check. It didn't cost much and took about half an hour. They said it was purely to check that it was the same car written off in the crash. Interestingly the car went for a MOT after being 'repaired' and the tester didn't even mention it's status so maybe MOT stations are notified of this.

Steve.

Hi Matt

Not all that is on the BX site is correct.
The VIC check is about car identity NOT roadworthyness.
I will try to add a copy of the VIC leaflet as a file.
IMHO the reason Insurance companies do not tell you about VIC registration is to avoid you adding these costs to your no fault claim.
For example an extra MOT or engineers written report to prove roadworthyness are uninsured losses that you could claim.
In most cases your existing insurance policy becomes void without compensation on the claim settlement date.
Another uninsured loss.
So is the reduction in resale value of the car because of VIC listing.
That is why you are asked to sign "in full and final settlement" when you accept the offer.
John

Thanks Fellas.

Steve, when it came time to renew the insurance on your 405, did you face a higher premium as a result of the VIC, even though it had been removed?

My insurance company was not involved in the write-off of my car because I only had 3rd party insurance; so once the VIC marker is removed, would there be any record of it having been written off? (I'm thinking in terms of future insurance premiums/renewal of current, not in terms of duping prospective buyers....)

Hi Matt

All insurance companies exchange information on accidents and claims as part of fraud contol.
Virtually all policies require the reporting to the insurers of all accidents whether or not a claim is likely to be involved.
Dealing direct with the other parties insurer is not encouraged.
Most insurers refer you back to your own company.
The VIC reporting is a legal requirement not an insurance companies choice.
If dealt with by your own insurer immediately their professional adviser reports the repair cost exceeds the pre accident car value they must make the VIC report.

I suffered substantially higher policy charges for over 2 years while the insurers took that time to change two reported accidents into ones recorded as no fault on my part. All three of my policies were affected. One of my companies would not quote for renewal during this time because of my accident record. The first accident was while the car was parked and unattended. The second a hit and run that took the police months to trace the driver.

John

Hi,

No the insurance was fine, it could still be insured at a reasonable cost but because it had been written off the car was effectively worthless and the insurance wouldn't pay out on it again.

The only other difference was a line on the V5 stating that it was a catagory ? write off.

Steve.

Insurance companies will pay out fora a claim on an already categorised car, they just make an adjustment to reflect the new value.

Fellas, I have relisted this car now it has had a Vehicle Identity Check.

What a waste of time that was. 2 hours out of my life so that an inspector could confirm the identity of my car. He doesn't even assess its roadworthiness.

Anyway, it now means its V5 documentation is all in order.