Insurance write offs.

NickD · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Aug 2004 Karma :

Anyone know anything about 'category D' write offs, horror stories, things to avoid, insurance implications, sources of information for specific vehicles, etc?
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Minky_monkey · Traffic Copper Joined: 01 Aug 2004 Karma :

Found this which tells you what the catagories are.

https://www.car-crime.com/motorcyle_damage.htm

TiN · Pocket Tin Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Karma :

A Cat D is the lowest group of write-offs. It usually means that a fairing panel has been scuffed or something. The damage is usually assessed by a certified engineer, but they may not necessarily be that thorough with the checks.

My CBR was categorised as a Cat B earlier on this year, but I managed to persuade the DVLA to give me a new log book, and thus remove it from the scrap register. I haven't done another HPI check for it yet...I was also told by someone that the insurance company shouldn't have been allowed to sell a Cat-B bike to me at all...

Personally, if I were looking to spend serious (£2.5k+) money on a bike, I'd make sure that it was at least HPI clear.

But don't rely on an HPI check to tell you if the bike has been subject to an insurance claim or not - there are obviously those who (try to) fix any damage themselves, and you'd have to rely on their handywork.

In terms of insurance implications - AFAIK the insurance company isn't really too concerned with a Cat C or Cat D classification as long as it's road legal.
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Villers · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Sep 2004 Karma :

may also depend on what history of the incident that wrote it off you have. My CBR was a Cat C due to scratches on the frame, this happened when a garden lamp fell on the bike in some muppets back garden. It smashed the fairing infill, cracked the top fairing, scratched the side fairing and put two scratches on the frame. No biggie to me, the bikes fine and I saved a packet. Its my first big bike so I was bound to add to the damage at some point (and I did!) so no worries. I dont think a Cat D is too much to worry about, it may add to the insurance but not by a hell of a lot. If the savings worth it and you want the bike dont let it put you off.

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