Totalled Car

LLMMLL

Hi,

I know nothing about cars and was hoping for a bit of advice. I was in an accident tonight with no other cars involved and no damage to any property but the car is a write off. It was a 00 Ford Focus, was a bit banged up, but in good running condition and passing its yearly NCTs with little problem.

Anyway it was towed away which is going to cost 200 euro or so. I have to decide what to do with it tomorrow as after that i will be charged storage costs. The guy who towed it said there might be some scrappage deal I could do. I'd like to at least be able to pay for the tow as I'm unemployed and actually only have 200 euro in savings. I have no idea whether as scrap it would be worth 50 or 100 or 500 or what. Absolutely no clue. Could anyone advise me on this? Should I check out other companies that might give a better deal on scrap or what?

Was I right not to get my insurance company involved? Would that lead to higher premiums, i.e.not worth it on such an old car?

Also my father is the main insured party on the car with me as a named driver. There is another car at home, unused as the owner has emigrated. The insurance is paid up to July so could my fathers insurance be transferred onto that car with me as a named driver or is there some issue doing that?

I really have no idea what I'm doing so would appreciate any feedback.

Vic_08

LLMMLL wrote: »

Hi,

I know nothing about cars and was hoping for a bit of advice. I was in an accident tonight with no other cars involved and no damage to any property but the car is a write off. It was a 00 Ford Focus, was a bit banged up, but in good running condition and passing its yearly NCTs with little problem.

Anyway it was towed away which is going to cost 200 euro or so. I have to decide what to do with it tomorrow as after that i will be charged storage costs. The guy who towed it said there might be some scrappage deal I could do. I'd like to at least be able to pay for the tow as I'm unemployed and actually only have 200 euro in savings. I have no idea whether as scrap it would be worth 50 or 100 or 500 or what. Absolutely no clue. Could anyone advise me on this? Should I check out other companies that might give a better deal on scrap or what?

Was I right not to get my insurance company involved? Would that lead to higher premiums, i.e.not worth it on such an old car?

Also my father is the main insured party on the car with me as a named driver. There is another car at home, unused as the owner has emigrated. The insurance is paid up to July so could my fathers insurance be transferred onto that car with me as a named driver or is there some issue doing that?

I really have no idea what I'm doing so would appreciate any feedback.

"scrappage deal" is just a marketing ploy dealers use to sell new cars, unless you are in the market for one then it is of no relevance to your situation.

Scrap metal prices are currently low as there is worldwide oversupply of steel, you will be lucky to get anything from a scrapper if it has to be towed there. You need to get a certificate of destruction from the scrapper, only authorised recyclers can give you this. Your local authority will have a list of all authorised facilities in your area. Ring around and see if any will give you a few € but get it out of the towing company yard quickly, a lot of these boyos like to charge large "storage" fees.

If there is more than 3 months tax on the car you can claim it back with the cert.

You were correct in not claiming off the insurance, they would pay out bugger all for an 00 Focus and load your (father's) insurance for years.

The insurance can be transferred to another car, there may or may not be a cost for doing this, but the car probably needs to be owned by the insured, read the policy documents. Transferring ownership may also be necessary to re-tax the car without paying arrears assuming it has run out and the car not been declared off the road.

savagethegoat

I'd ask the guy who towed it if he will take the car in lieu of the tow fee.

dodzy

savagethegoat wrote: »

I'd ask the guy who towed it if he will take the car in lieu of the tow fee.

200 quid for a tow ? That's ridiculous.

OP, do not involve the insurance. Far from worth it in this case.

corks finest

LLMMLL wrote: »

Hi,

I know nothing about cars and was hoping for a bit of advice. I was in an accident tonight with no other cars involved and no damage to any property but the car is a write off. It was a 00 Ford Focus, was a bit banged up, but in good running condition and passing its yearly NCTs with little problem.

Anyway it was towed away which is going to cost 200 euro or so. I have to decide what to do with it tomorrow as after that i will be charged storage costs. The guy who towed it said there might be some scrappage deal I could do. I'd like to at least be able to pay for the tow as I'm unemployed and actually only have 200 euro in savings. I have no idea whether as scrap it would be worth 50 or 100 or 500 or what. Absolutely no clue. Could anyone advise me on this? Should I check out other companies that might give a better deal on scrap or what?

Was I right not to get my insurance company involved? Would that lead to higher premiums, i.e.not worth it on such an old car?

Also my father is the main insured party on the car with me as a named driver. There is another car at home, unused as the owner has emigrated. The insurance is paid up to July so could my fathers insurance be transferred onto that car with me as a named driver or is there some issue doing that?

I really have no idea what I'm doing so would appreciate any feedbhack.

feel for you,tough kick in the balls