terrible experience with hastings direct

[dacouc]

This from the Ombudsman should help you.

 

"16. salvage of the "written-off" vehicle and contents

 

When a vehicle is “written off”, the insurer becomes the owner of the salvage once the consumer accepts payment of the full market value. If the consumer asks to keep the salvage, the insurer is entitled to deduct what it would have been able to sell the salvage for – though this is usually not very much.

 

Consumers sometimes complain that the insurer (or its agent) disposed of the salvage before paying the full market-value. At this stage, the vehicle still belongs to the consumer, so we look to see if the insurer asked the consumer’s to the settlement of the claim – even if the insurer says it was only acting in the public interest by keeping a badly-damaged vehicle off the road.

 

If we find the insurer disposed of the vehicle without the consumer’s consent and there were items belonging to the consumer inside, we are likely to tell the insurer to pay the cost of replacing these – usually on a like-for-like (rather than a new-for-old) basis.

 

If we think that the policyholder was unfairly deprived of the salvage, we may tell the insurer to pay compensation for any financial loss or distress and inconvenience we think the consumer has experienced."

 

http://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/publications/technical_notes/motor-valuation.html

 

Read the whole link as it will help you.

 

As others have stated the car is still your property until they pay you, I would be inclined to send them an "Official Complaint" re the missing Sat Nav and Child seat and the additional costs you have incurred due to the actions of their agent (They're responsible for their agents actions).

 

Be aware that Hastings do not usually allow their customers to retain the salvage of their cars. The vast majority of Insurers would allow you to keep the salvage in these circumstances

 

Unfortunately you have had the miss fortune to insure with Hastings

[dacouc]

Might be worth going along with the "right off" but ask hastings to buy the car back. If they think it's a total loss, they shouldn't ask too much for it . Might be able to make a profit if you do it that way around.

 

Also did you get your sat nav and car seat back from the rescue company?

 

Unfortunately for reasons best known to them, Hastings do not allow you to buy your written off car back.

 

OP have you asked Hastings for a "cash in leiu" payment for your car to enable you to repair it