A car is usually declared a total loss – commonly known as a “write-off” – for one of two reasons:
The vehicle is deemed ‘beyond economical repair.’ This means the cost of repairs would exceed the car’s pre-accident value (PAV).
What does “beyond economical repair” mean?
“Beyond economical repair” refers to a vehicle where the cost of repairs is higher than what is considered financially reasonable, usually exceeding 60–75% of its pre-accident value (PAV). This is a common term used by insurers and claims management companies to assess whether a vehicle is worth repairing.
For example, if a car had a pre-accident value of £2,000 and the repair costs were estimated at £1,600 (80% of its PAV), it would likely be classified as a total loss – beyond economical repair.
The damage is too severe to be safely repaired.
What does ‘too severely damaged to safely be repaired’ mean?
If a vehicle has extensive damage – such as structural damage – it may not be possible to restore it to a roadworthy condition. In these cases, the car is written off to ensure it doesn’t pose a safety risk to anyone, including drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. This decision prioritises the safety of all road users.
Roadworthy and unroadworthy total loss
After an accident, a car can be classified as either a roadworthy total loss or an unroadworthy total loss, depending on the extent of the damage.
Unroadworthy total loss
A vehicle in this category cannot be legally or safely driven on UK roads due to the severity of the damage. In some cases, the car cannot be repaired to a safe standard, or the cost of repairs would be uneconomical.
Unroadworthy total loss
Roadworthy total loss
This means the car is still safe to drive in its current condition but has damage that makes repairs uneconomical when compared to its pre-accident value.
Roadworthy total loss
Understanding these classifications can help you know what to expect as we guide you through the next steps in your claim.
Is it safe to be repaired?
A qualified engineer will inspect your vehicle to assess whether it can be safely repaired. If the damage is deemed too severe to restore the car to a safe condition, it will be reported as a total loss at this stage.
Is it economically viable to repair?
If the car is deemed repairable, the engineer will estimate the repair costs. Your claim team will then calculate the vehicle’s pre-accident value (PAV). The repair estimate is compared to the PAV to determine whether the repairs are financially viable.
How the pre-accident value is calculated
Factors engineers would consider
The pre-accident value reflects your vehicle’s worth before the accident. Engineers consider several factors, including:
At Auto Claims Assist, we take the stress out of handling your total loss claim by managing every detail for you. From the moment you contact us, we’ll guide you through the process, ensuring you stay informed and supported every step of the way.
Independent engineers and fair pre-accident value settlements
Our team works with independent engineers to assess your vehicle, determine whether it’s a total loss, and ensure a fair pre-accident valuation. We liaise directly with the at-fault driver’s insurer, handling all communication and paperwork to save you time and hassle.
A comparable vehicle for you to use
We’ll provide you with a comparable replacement vehicle, so you can stay mobile while your claim is processed. If necessary, we’ll also arrange for 24/7 recovery of your damaged vehicle. This will be held in our secure vehicle storage until the claim is finalised, your settlement is paid out, and your vehicle is ready to be salvaged.
No cost to you
When you claim with Auto Claims Assist, everything comes at no cost to you. All associated expenses – such as vehicle recovery, storage, replacement hire, claims management and your total loss settlement – are claimed directly from the at-fault driver’s insurance.
This means you won’t face unexpected bills or out-of-pocket expenses while we manage your claim.
Our team handles everything, with all costs covered by the at-fault party’s insurer. Our service prioritises your convenience and peace of mind.
“I honestly cannot emphasise how brilliant this company has been. I stumbled across Auto Claims Assist as I really didn’t want to go through my insurance and lose my excess and have my premiums go up. (I was hit by another driver through no fault of my own and my car was a complete write off). I read the reviews and went for it.
Having been through the process and upon receiving my payout I cannot believe how easy it’s been. They were fast in getting a replacement car out to me which was a brand new version of my car at no cost to myself and Ron my case handler called me frequently to tell me how they were getting on with the other party’s insurer.
To make things better, I was unhappy with the initial ‘market’ valuation I received from the other insurer which was very low, Taya at Auto Claims Assist fought my corner in getting a higher figure for me and will now be able to get a like for like car to replace it. I will always go down this route if I ever get into a similar situation (but hopefully not!) Massive thank you to Ron, Taya and Chloe keep up the good work!”
10/10 service from start to finish - By Emmanuel
