Batty Posted July 31, 2021 Posted July 31, 2021 (edited) Here is some pics of the damage inflicted on my 2006 Mazda 3 Maxx Sport yesterday morning. Both cars travelling in the same direction at 80kmph, other driver indicated as he changed lanes into my car. Fairly superficial, but due to the age of my car it could be a write off, which is a shame as it has only covered 120000 km and drives like a new car. Edited July 31, 2021 by Batty
GregWormald Posted July 31, 2021 Posted July 31, 2021 A good panel beater should be able to fix that even if it won't be perfect. If it's written off think about buying it getting it fixed yourself. That could give you that car back with some cash in hand! 3
Guest thethrowback Posted July 31, 2021 Posted July 31, 2021 (edited) I'm a bit confused as to the circumstances of the accident. If you were travelling in a lane of a freeway and some one changed lanes and sideswiped your vehicle then generally they are at fault, regardless of whether they indicated or not, unless it can be proven that you were doing something illegal. I assume that you exchanged your details with the other driver because it is an offence not to stop at the scene of a crash: https://www.police.sa.gov.au/your-safety/road-safety/report-a-crash If the other driver did a runner then I would be having a conversation with the police. Edited July 31, 2021 by thethrowback
Batty Posted July 31, 2021 Author Posted July 31, 2021 (edited) Details exchanged and Police informed, also Insurance claim filed. I was not at fault. 1 hour ago, GregWormald said: A good panel beater should be able to fix that even if it won't be perfect. If it's written off think about buying it getting it fixed yourself. That could give you that car back with some cash in hand! No actual dings in the panels, damage is basically scratched paint plus drivers side mirror electrics not working, but as the car is 2006 and worth under $3k it may get written off. It depends basically on how they value the write off, 70% of overall value? The clack marks on the side of my car are from his front tyre. Edited July 31, 2021 by Batty
rantan Posted July 31, 2021 Posted July 31, 2021 (edited) 13 minutes ago, Batty said: Details exchanged and Police informed, also Insurance claim filed. I was not at fault. No actual dings in the panels, damage is basically scratched paint plus drivers side mirror electrics not working, but as the car is 2006 and worth under $3k it may get written off. It depends basically on how they value the write off, 70% of overall value? The clack marks on the side of my car are from his front tyre. There is easily much more than $3K involved since it involves 3 panels and some electrics plus a mirror. The cost of having this repaired, will almost certainly ensure that insurance company will list it as an economic write off. Edited July 31, 2021 by rantan
Batty Posted July 31, 2021 Author Posted July 31, 2021 That is what I thought, I will buy it back if I can afford to and polish out the marks. 2
LHC Posted July 31, 2021 Posted July 31, 2021 21 minutes ago, Batty said: That is what I thought, I will buy it back if I can afford to and polish out the marks. I am not sure what you meant by 'buy it back'. When one of my was written off for minor damage (but driver-able), the insurance company just send a payment, but I still kept the car. As it has been written off I didn't think I could registered the car easily. Eventually I sold it to the wreckers real cheap.
Batty Posted July 31, 2021 Author Posted July 31, 2021 From SA GOV site Repairable write-off A vehicle considered a repairable write-off if: it is written-off, but is not to be a statutory write-off the cost of the repairs will exceed the insured value of the vehicle it is declared a write-off by an insurer or owner following accidental damage. Need to get it reregistered.
rantan Posted July 31, 2021 Posted July 31, 2021 What usually happens in these cases is that the insurance company will offer you the market price of the car minus your policy excess and the pro rata cost of the remaining period of insurance. They will also cancel your registration and deduct that from the payout figure so in summation,where a car valued at $4K as market price ,you may only receive just over half that depending on the duration of your policy, your standard excess and how much is left of your registration.
LHC Posted July 31, 2021 Posted July 31, 2021 What the insurance company declared as 'market value' can be challenged. I did by showing evidence that my car's condition was above average and they paid out a bit more (but not by much).
rantan Posted July 31, 2021 Posted July 31, 2021 Essentially, insurance companies hold all the aces in this poker game. 1
Batty Posted July 31, 2021 Author Posted July 31, 2021 (edited) I have just cancelled my claim, I will polish the marks out I couldn't risk losing the car. Edited July 31, 2021 by Batty 5
YCC Posted July 31, 2021 Posted July 31, 2021 6 minutes ago, Batty said: I have just cancelled my claim, I will polish the marks out I couldn't risk losing the car. From your photos, the dents don't look too bad. You should look at my car's dents. Luckily it's a 28-year old and not worth much, I'd rather spend the dough on music!
Batty Posted July 31, 2021 Author Posted July 31, 2021 (edited) Dents are only visible now that I have cleaned off the white paint and only on the rear door. The black marks are from the RAV4s front tyre and will be harder to remove. Gives me a project while I am home recovering from Carotid artery surgery, I will take it easy though. I have 3 more weeks until I return to work. Driver side after 5 mins. Edited July 31, 2021 by Batty 1
Guest thethrowback Posted July 31, 2021 Posted July 31, 2021 (edited) It's up to you but I would get several quotes on repairing the damage so you know where you stand. If you're unhappy about your car being written off, then you have two options: If the car is a repairable write-off, you can apply to the roads and transport authority in your state or territory to have the car repaired and re-registered. If you think the car can be repaired economically, you can challenge the insurer's decision. I would also query the valuation of your vehicle. According to carsguide your car could be valued up to $4,400 (depending on the model): https://www.carsguide.com.au/mazda/3/price/2006 Edited July 31, 2021 by thethrowback
muon* Posted July 31, 2021 Posted July 31, 2021 I had a truck do that to me. Agree with others, go for buy back and pocket the cash, reg as write off repair and keep driving and maybe do some self repairs as a project, grinder, sander, filler and a putty/undercoat. I was supposed to reg mine as write off repair but never got the write off notice. I won't say anything about the other drive as none will be nice
betty boop Posted July 31, 2021 Posted July 31, 2021 does the other party have insurance ? you can just claim against theres ? its their fault after all Id get some quotes to repair... see what comes to... let the other party know... alternatively also talk to your insurance company ... talk through options... careful with repairable write-offs... they can be a nightmare even if trying to get insurance again... even third party ! check specifics in your state and read through eg below... just as an example... there are ins and outs... https://www.comparethemarket.com.au/car-insurance/write-off-car/ id do absolute best to not let it fall in the repairable write off category if can... and with the right repairer... you can make sure you dont... just matter of finding right repairer who understands how the assessors work and has good rapport with them... also there are ways to get more than $3k you are thinking.... eg you can argue the cost to get a similar replacement ....keeping in mind it is not your fault and its the other party thats up for this ......it will allow more for cash payout... or more to fix... the right repairer is the key... ie not your big chain ones... not the insurers .... but the small ones... with a human you can talk to and knows the system and willing to work it for you...
rantan Posted July 31, 2021 Posted July 31, 2021 1 minute ago, betty boop said: d do absolute best to not let it fall in the repairable write off category if can. The OP has withdrawn his claim and is going to repair the cosmetic damage. He does not want to lose the car and maybe receive $2K. Also, it doesn't matter which insurance company is involved. The car is valued at around $3.5K and the repair bill will definitely be substantially more than this, so its an economic write off regardless.
Mining Man Posted July 31, 2021 Posted July 31, 2021 Contact the driver at fault and ask them to pay you 75% of their excess directly, in lieu of a claim. No point walking away with nothing... 2
betty boop Posted July 31, 2021 Posted July 31, 2021 Its totally upto the OP what they do... we have been in a similar situation and just offering some advice... there are ways out of this for OP, that can be a win win and at least back to car had prior... or even better as to value of car and what costs to repair ... they are both debatable items... this is the key factor here ... the OP needs a good repairer who can work the system and the outcome can be delivered as want. this whole thing was not the OPs fault, so doesnt have to be at the raw end of the deal... example - one of wife's previous car she had... crash not her fault... insurance company wanted to write it off... offered some pitiful amount back. she loved the car... no way was it getting written off...didnt want a bar off it. our repairer - local guy one man shop actually worked on our behalf... his question to the insurance company was the amount they were offering wouldnt find her a replacement car of similar condition... amazingly the cash out upped to $8k ! he provided a quote to fix it for well under that. keep in mind with covid cost of 2nd hand cars has gone through the roof ! as a side story...couple of years down track the wife's same car, was starting to show signs of age... and we were out growing it anyways and we decided time to trade in... best offers we were getting was $400 told one dealer that was less than the rego on the thing... eventually got $1200 for the trade in on the thing ! am sure it went and got crushed ! but I was sorely reminded we should have taken the $8k and run ! 1
muon* Posted July 31, 2021 Posted July 31, 2021 If the at fault driver has insurance they pay the lot! Will get more than 3k for the Mazda 6, I got 3k for my 2003 Mitsubishi after buy back.
Batty Posted July 31, 2021 Author Posted July 31, 2021 It is a 2006 mazda 3 maxx sport with 120,000 km on the clock, but the clear coat is shot. 1
betty boop Posted July 31, 2021 Posted July 31, 2021 3 minutes ago, Batty said: It is a 2006 mazda 3 maxx sport with 120,000 km on the clock, but the clear coat is shot. only a couple to buy in SA.. https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/2006/mazda/3/maxx-sport-badge/south-australia-state/sedan-bodystyle/ one at $5990 and other at $9990 ones done 145k other cheaper one has done 266k ! welcome to covid car pricing 1
Batty Posted July 31, 2021 Author Posted July 31, 2021 (edited) Deleted Edited July 31, 2021 by Batty
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