Am i still insured?

Question

Someone broke into my car last weekend, it's an old VW Golf (12 years old) They broke the window, lock and steering column. Our insurance company gave the car a value of £650 and wrote the car off. They said we can have the car back and gave us a £500 cheque. We got the window fixed for £70 and the steering and lock for free. Now we are still driving the car, but am i insured if the ins company have written it off? We paid til the end of the year.

Answer 1

Depends what category write off. I'd call them and check. If you've still got a cover note and they've not asked you to return it then you're still insured though most likely.

Answer 2

A write-off (totaled in the USA) is a term used by the auto insurance that the automobile (car) cannot be used anymore, because it is beyond repair. They usually take the car by their own towing company, not you taking the car to the junkyard.

The insurance gave you 500 pounds in the form of a check (cheque). You are still insured. The money the insurance gave you is to cover the expenses for the repairs. Of course, in return your auto insurance will raise a bit.

Answer 3

Did you get a letter saying you are no longer insured? If not you still are but best to call your agent and ask him to explain what those words meant.
A write off used to mean you took it off your books but it might mean something else in the insurance business.

Answer 4

If they had written it off, you are likely NOT insured, as they expect the vehicle to be in a junkyard, not in your possession.

You seem to have what we Yanks call a "salvage" title at the moment, so you will need to check with your local Motor Registry (in the US, we call it DMV, or Department of Motor Vehicles) to make sure you are still considered the owner.

Answer 5

To be safe call the Insurer and be sure. You might be driving a liability.