I hope someone can try and clear up a confusing situation for me...

I bought my Focus a month ago and two weeks after collecting it my wife went into the back of someone at low speed and has dented the bonnet but bumper/grill are fine bar a bit of a scuff. The O/S headlight has snapped a mount but is otherwise in one piece and points in the right direction.

Elephant, my insurer, are saying different things each time we call and basically they're saying it's a total loss as their approved garage has said it requires a new front end so costs basically the same as I bought it for! How they came to this without even opening the bonnet is beyond me but I would assume they CBA to repair it. We have had another estimate done by the guy my family has used for over ten years but they're saying it's not a proper estimate as it's hand written and not typed in a PDF document.

Anyway, as it only needs the bonnet dent removed and a new light is it worth taking the hit with is being classed a CAT D/N and repair it myself? Is the insurance going to be stupid if I do?

 

Picture attached, ignore the bend by the bumper/wing/headlight as that was there when I got the car originally. It's basically the dent at the front which is only affecting the bonnet that is the major pain

Hi,

If you need any help with insurance at all then please feel free to drop me a line. The vast majority of our schemes have no issues cat C or D written off vehicles.

Regards,

Dan.

Thanks for the reply. I had an independent assessor come out this morning who's agreed it's not a write off at all and is going to recommend a 'cash in lieu' settlement as I can get the repair done myself by my usual garage. Seems to be a win/win IMO but obviously happy to accept advice if required!