4 car pile up :( write off or not???

[tdi_chris]

As the title says on Wednesday I was involved in a four car pile up.
Traffic had stopped and a car two behind me didn't brake in the slightest and slammed into the back of an 11 plate vw polo which then hit me and pushed me into a Honda jazz!
My rear bumper is totalled and I have a small dent above the rear passenger side door (possibly caused by the rear bumper pushing on the rear quarter) ,my front bumper needs replacing, the bonnet has a small dent next to the upper grille, the front upper grille with the "S" badge is also smashed and my n/s headlight bracket has broken! The worst part is that my boot floor has been severely damaged and is dented upwards!!!!
The guys who collected the car today believe that a new boot floor can just be welded in once the old one is cut out and because the car is so new with low miles it wouldnt be written off?
What do other people think?
The car is a 12 plate Leon copa SE in nevada white metallic and has done 4100 miles
Cheers!

 

[LeonCR]

You got any pictures ?

 

[yellonvi-R]

Because of how new it is then itl be repaired, as they say the boot floor will just be welded back in and if the rear quarter is just pushed then they could pull it or a panel beater will sort it, the cost of the damage wont be more than the car is worth so should be fixed

 

[tdi_chris]

The pics are all on my phone but the boot floor is so compacted that the drain plug hole that is on the left hand side is about half of the size of the one on the right. This car has no spare wheel and if you put the boot carpet down you can see that it is clearly raised on the left hand side!
Airbags did not deploy but I was hit that hard that I used my headrest and my seat seemed further back than I normally sit.

 

[LeonCR]

Make sure the headrest is reported as you may need a replacement seat

 

[yellonvi-R]

Wiplash cough cough

 

[tdi_chris]

I don't have whiplash but my partner has hurt her back! I know a write off is normally 50%-60% of the vehicle value in repairs but I'm just worried about the car being slightly twisted due to how it was squashed between the two cars. I wish I could show the pictures from my phone but it won't work!

 

[Jarre]

won't it be fully checked over? If not then make sure it is to ensure that the whole frame of the car is still intact.
I'd imagine it would need a fair amount of repair for it to be a write off.

I always wonder though, having never been/known anyone in the situation, what do you want to happen? Do you want the car repaired, or written off and get a new one? A general question for everyone!

 

[yellonvi-R]

Yeah itll be fully checked theyll check everything probly measure it up everywhere aswell to see if the chasis is twisted, if they fix it then they will do a proper job, you can find your own repair place with some insurers.

 

[tdi_chris]

Well it's at a reputable insurance accident repair company in Walsall now.
To be honest I carry my daughter in the car and want it to be as strong as it was on Wednesday!
Maybe I would prefer it to be a write off just encase it wasn't as strong in the event that it was hit again.

 

[yellonvi-R]

As said if its repaired itll be the same as before.

 

[G.P]

As said if its repaired itll be the same as before.

To me they are never the same, there is always something that is not quite right. .

 

[yellonvi-R]

Its all in your head

 

[Jarre]

Maybe the fact it'll always be registed cat C or D and therefore worth less too!

 

[yellonvi-R]

If the insurers repair it then it wont be a cat anything. Only become cat damage when a car is written off and insurers pay you out onit.

 

[Slimy]

To me they are never the same, there is always something that is not quite right. .

I agree with this. If nothing else, when it comes to selling it and people ask whether it's been in an accident, you have to say yes which will devalue the car regardless of how well it's been fixed.

 

[OLDLACE]

On the day that you receive it back, repaired, take it to a reputable, independent garage that you can rely on to do a full check of the tracking / wheel alignment. I'm sure you will get suggestions as to a good garage, especially living in such an area as West Bromwich. If possible do this before you sign that the car is OK. May cost you £50 - £60 but it will be money well spent.
Unfortunately, last time I did not do this until some weeks later when I suspected there was still a problem. The repair garage said all was "within spec" - and how wrong they were!! Fighting an insurance company / repair garage is nigh on impossible.

 

[jake]

If your wary of the quality of the insurance approved garage then use one of your own choice, your well in your rights,

Depending on how bad it is the car may be written off, but highly unlikely unless airbags and ore tentioners have gone off,

Back panel damage is very minor, a lot of times boot floors can be pulled, failing that replaced, the front is all bolt on bolt off round the chassi legs, if it needs pulling it will be mounted to a jig, which are millimetre perfect, 4 wheel geometry can be done if you request it too

 

[yellonvi-R]

If its unrecorded damage then legally you dont have tO declare it to a new buyer, morally well....

 

[tdi_chris]

Just a quick update.
The insurance damage assessor looked over my Leon yesterday and he has ordered all the parts required to repair the car and the repair work was going to start yesterday
I'm missing the car so much! Got a crappy 1.2 fiesta until my car is repaired.