Repairing and re-registering an insurance write off

[Niran]

Hey guys!

Somebody smashed into my wife's car on the mway a few weeks ago. 2002 Toyota Premio. Really does not look that bad, rear bumper is pushed in and boot lid is slightly bent.

Insurance repairer estimated like 4.5k to fix!? Hence they wrote the car off. I spoke to the guy that inspected the car and he said it was just the rear bumper that need replacing and the rear bumper plate, and panel and paint work. Said chassis was fine. Insurance guy looked at it and said it has structural damage..

Anyway, decided to take a pay out and get it sorted myself. Which means I need to get the car de-reged cos of the write off and then they will pay.

My question is, how easy is it to get re-registerd after i get it repaired? Already got a rough quote of 1k for repairs. Any info is appreciated

[Zenki]

Discuss the matter with a local repair certifier before any work is done on the vehicle; they will be able to guide you through the process, as well as give you an idea of what you're getting yourself into.

As an insurance write-off, your car must be handled by a specialist repair certifier before it can be re-registered, regardless of how severe the damage is; seeing as you have to go to one anyway, may as well be proactive about it.

[Niran]

Oh awesome thanks man! I've got a mate that imports cars and repairs and recerts them too so should be able to get that sorted. His and my only doubt was: is there any rule or law preventing a de-registered written off car being re-registered after repairs?

[Zenki]

Not as far as I'm aware, but get a second opinion anyway.

[4G63B8]

if the back has any fold on the body of the car bro it will be a write off, check inside the spare wheel arch to see of any signs of folds on the body will be a good identication..if you de-reg the car and you take the car back wouldnt the insurance company hold back some money to give you the written off car back? You are looking at least 800bux to get it re-registered and if it requires any welding work than you need to get that checked along the way as well plus the normal repair costs on top, you would be looking at least 2k to get it back on the road thats if nothing else is majorly wrong with the body, as reregistration guys are alot stricter...

[boon]

More hassle than it's worth.

Take the money and go.

Keep in mind that once the insurance company writes it off, they own the car. So you've also got to factor in buying it off them.

[Niran]

Thanks for the responses guys. The insurance company only valued the car at $5300. I asked them if i could cash settle and keep the car. So they did a valuation from the wreckers... $500!? So id be getting $4800 plus the car on condition of de-reg. So i dunno if there is something dodgy going on between the wrecker and the insurance assessor. Either way, got a mate that imports and fixes and certs cars etc. Should be around $1500 all up. Even if it was double that as a safeguard, I'll still be better off. Checked with land and transport and they said no issues as long as it can pass cert.