rules regarding write offs

[v_s_p_e_c]

On friday a semi trailer ran up the back of me on the cumberland highway (don't worry i was driving a vs commodore). When i took to the repairer my insurance company told me to take it to they said it has chassis rail damage? And that the cost would be about $5000.

I was under the impression that if the chassis is bent it is a wright off no matter what.

Can somebody clear this up for me

[Silver-Arrowz]

If the chassis is bent minor (repairable) then they'll just repair it. It's really the insurance company's decision if it's a write off or not.

[v_s_p_e_c]

oh ok then. thanks

[wrxhoon]

they can and will repair anything if its economical to do so but $5 k damage on a vs ( standard car not hsv ) would be border line to write it off i would think .

talk to your insurance company if you want them to write it off and they may do just that .

[Tosh]

if the cost of repair is greater than the value of the car, it'll be written off

they can also write it off if the costs are similar.

if the chassis rail is bent you can try and write a letter expressing your concerns about the chassis strength and safety of your own self and passengers in the event of another accident. You can also try making a point about the structural integrity of the car and try to get a write off if that's what your after.

[v_s_p_e_c]

insurance said to take it to a repairer and let them handle it. The repairer said no write off but i guess he said that cos he wanted the job. All fixed now i'll try get pics up.

[Zahos]

when the chasis rail bends in an accident, they usually get it onto a jig to straighten it up (if they do it right, it would probably be straighter than when it left the factory), and then they re-enforce the rail where it was bent. It should end up being stronger and straighter than it was before the accident - if the panel beater is good.