Car accident insurance!

jaz · Post by **jaz** » Tue Oct 01, 2013 5:40 pm

Hi,

I got an accident where a car came from behind and hit my car and pushed the trunk and back bumber inside. Now the official workshop of Mazda says it will cost about 5000 EUR while AutoAsi says 2600 EUR but car insurance company says they will only pay 2300 as the car is old and it is not worth more than that. The insurance company says this is normal how they operate and I must accept that. They are offering another 9.8 EUR per day for inconvenience caused.

Having no prior experience whatsoever for this situation, I wanted to have others opinion in this regard. What do you guys say?

regards

**Sponsor:**

network_engineer · Post by **network_engineer** » Wed Oct 02, 2013 12:04 am

That does seem weird, my understanding was that the limited damage is ONLY if your insurance pays for your car, i.e. your fault for the accident. In case, it is the other person's fault, then the insurance company has to:

a) restore the car to the condition before the accident
b) write off the car, and pay you a reasonable current value.

If you were not at fault, just tell them that it was their customer's fault, and that they need to restore it the condition before that. That being said, I find the difference rather wide, not common!

AldenG · Post by **AldenG** » Wed Oct 02, 2013 2:02 am

network_engineer wrote: then the insurance company has to:

...
b) write off the car, and pay you a reasonable current value.

Isn't that exactly what they're doing? Reimbursing the depreciated write-off value?

Keravalainen · Post by **Keravalainen** » Wed Oct 02, 2013 7:26 am

Hi!
If you can get them pay 2300 (or negotiate that a bit higher?) and get your car repaired by a cheaper workshop you'll be fine. The main catch in this deal is that they pay and still let you keep your car.
The maximum payment is based on that you should be able to buy a new used car the same age and in the same condition with the price they offer. The insurance company should be able to show that from e.g. an ad for used cars on the internet.

rinso · Post by **rinso** » Wed Oct 02, 2013 7:44 am

but car insurance company says they will only pay 2300 as the car is old and it is not worth more than that. The insurance company says this is normal how they operate and I must accept that.

It is normal. That's why it is wise to change your insurance from "all risk" to "liability" for an older car. Otherwise you'll pay more premium than they would pay out.

Honest · Post by **Honest** » Wed Oct 02, 2013 12:10 pm

It's normal. The maximum you can do it find some sample prices for the similar cars and show to them that they cost a bit more than what they are offering. Don't look cars in huutonet, look from dealers. Huutonet cars are cheaper and there can be reliability issues. You can also claim that your car was in very good condition etc. Mostly you can get a little more than what they initially offer.

Honest · Post by **Honest** » Wed Oct 02, 2013 2:14 pm

* Sorry I meant nettiauto not huutonet!

jaz · Post by **jaz** » Wed Oct 02, 2013 6:27 pm

Thanks guys, yes I think it is the option B they are using and paying me 2300 EUR.

I will try to sell this broken car or after fix but I am sure this accident has resulted in loss to me as well just because I am owner of an old car.

aguinness · Post by **aguinness** » Wed Oct 02, 2013 7:08 pm

https://www.finlandforum.org/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=70932

Finland Forum

Find information about moving to, living in and life in Finland