Cat C in car's history - how much extra will insurance be?

[keri-WMS]

Just that really - I've got a bid on a local eBay runabout for the mrs, but I just did the HPI check and it was a Cat C writoff in 2005!

Her insurer (Diamond) is shut and the car ends tonight.

It's a sub-£500 interim thing but it's fairly tidy so the claim was probably a bumper or headlight.....just no good if the premium is going to vastly increase or they say they won't insure a Cat C! Google tells me these "facts":

- Traders HAVE to declare if a car is a Cat C etc, private sellers don't
- If you have a Cat C car and don't tell the insurer (even if yuo didn't know) your insurance is void when you try and claim.
- Lots of insurers won't touch a past Cat C.
- Several people said that letting their insurer know a car is a Cat C has doubled their premium/quote.

I hate insurance!

[maggspower]

I have never known a premium go up because of a previous total loss claim on a car

The car should be repaired to a standard where it is fit for the road once again. It should be within manufactures tolerences and perform as such, so why would that alter the premium. I know this is not what happens all the time.

Its not a question they ask when getting insurance quotes, but why would they, they will have all the information on data bases. I would imagine this would flag up if it was a problem.

There is a limit, to how many total loss claims that can be made against a vehicle, I believe it is 3.

HTH

[jonny323i]

Usually it will only affect you if a claim is made as the value will be lower due to the car being cat c as its worth less as a cat c

[magpie]

cat d for this .

[RobbieT]

Agree with above, i've never heard of a premium going up for previous damage. The only thing to consider when buying is that a Cat C car should be worth around 30% less than one that isn't and insurers will pay out accordingly but on a sub £500 snotter that's hardly relevant

[keri-WMS]

That's kind of my thoughts - I'm not worried about the car and it's value (and how much of that value is insured), I just don't want to have the insurance cost going when we swap over.

[jonny323i]

Just try using something like confused.com and you will get an idea on costs for your old car compared to the new car

[keri-WMS]

The only thing is the online jobs don't ask if a car was a Cat C - the insurer normally only "finds out" if the customer mentions it during the phone call part...even though they have access to the database (which they create) which all seems odd.

Anyway, fingers crossed it won't go up, but if anyone HAS had a premium increase due to a past Cat C please let me know!

[andybmwe21]

if u dont mention to them that the car is cat or import although as said before in above thread they can turn round and not pay out on a claim. just the same goes with non standard manufactured alloys or kits and off course engine parts. happend to me with my 3 door sierra cosworth i had 16 inch alloys and made a claim on a respray due to it been keyed.

[Chris_B86]

My old corrado was a cat c, didn't affect the insurance. The only time it affects it is if it's Q plated.

Cat C and D are fine, Cat c will have needed a VIC check when it was first put back on the road

[320Touring]

Should have bought that W126;)

Cat C should have no impact on insurance costs

[keri-WMS]

Well looks like you guys were right, thanks! - cost £27 to swap over which was an admin fee.

[320Touring]

Well looks like you guys were right, thanks! - cost £27 to swap over which was an admin fee.

Winning!

[Quaser]

You say the car was written off in 2005 - it would not have been worth only £500 then and would not have been a simple bumper wing issue - chances are its had a fairly heavy hit, i personally wouldnt be going for that without knowing how bad the damage was previously.

[Chris_B86]

You say the car was written off in 2005 - it would not have been worth only £500 then and would not have been a simple bumper wing issue - chances are its had a fairly heavy hit, i personally wouldnt be going for that without knowing how bad the damage was previously.

Something as simple as blowing the airbags in a dash board can Cat C a car these days, it's all dependent on cost of repair, not necessarily severity of the damage

[Quaser]

yes, but the cars value in 8 years ago would a lot more and need more expense to write the car off if you know what i mean

[keri-WMS]

It's had a headlights/wing/bonnet shove I think - the panels have been straightened by the looks of it and nothing behind them has any signs of damage.

[Chris_B86]

yes, but the cars value in 8 years ago would a lot more and need more expense to write the car off if you know what i mean

I get what you mean, but I've seen 3 year old civic type r's with a bent wishbone and blown airbags and it's been a write off