What is a damaged car? Definition
An accidented car is one that has suffered damage as a result of a road accident. This damage can vary in severity, from simple scratches to major structural damage. The classification of a vehicle as "wrecked" depends on the extent of the damage and its impact on the car's safety and functionality.
Types of damage
- Minor damage: These include scratches, dents, paint chips, or minor damage to bumpers. These repairs are generally inexpensive and do not affect the safety of the vehicle.
- Moderate damage: These involve more expensive repairs, such as damaged body panels, broken windows, or suspension damage. While these repairs can be carried out, they often require further assessment.
- Severe damage: This includes structural damage, deployed airbags, or compromised safety systems. A vehicle with severe damage may be declared "wrecked" by the insurance company if it is economically irreparable.
Categorization of vehicles involved in accidents in France
In France, vehicles involved in accidents can be classified according to different categories:
- VEI (Véhicule Économiquement Irréparable): The car is technically repairable, but repair costs exceed the value of the vehicle.
- VGA (Véhicule Gravement Accidenté): The vehicle has suffered severe structural damage and is often considered unsafe for the road.
- VGE (Véhicule Gravement Endommagé): The vehicle is so badly damaged that it is no longer economically viable to repair it.
Consequences for owners
Owning a damaged vehicle can have several consequences for owners:
The resale value of an accidented vehicle is often considerably reduced, even after repairs.
Repairs can be costly, sometimes exceeding the vehicle's residual value.
Managing administrative procedures and interactions with the insurance company can be complex and time-consuming.
Steps to take when your car is involved in an accident
When your car is involved in an accident, it's essential to follow precise procedures to guarantee your safety, facilitate repairs and manage the administrative aspects. Here are the steps to follow.
1. Secure the accident area
Make sure you and your fellow passengers are safe. If possible, move the vehicle to avoid obstructing traffic.
2. Fill in a joint accident report
The joint accident report is an official document describing the circumstances of the accident and helping to determine responsibility. It is crucial for insurance purposes.
3. Reporting the accident to your insurance company
You must report the accident to your insurance company within 5 working days.
Prepare the accident report, photos of the damage, and any other relevant evidence to support your claim.
4. Damage assessment
The insurer will send an expert to assess the damage. This assessment will determine whether the vehicle is repairable or whether it should be declared a wreck.
The expert's report is crucial for the rest of the process, including compensation and repairs.
5. Vehicle repairs
Choose a garage approved by your insurance company to carry out the repairs. This facilitates the reimbursement process and guarantees the quality of the work.
6. Compensation
Compensation depends on your insurance coverage and damage assessment. Make sure you understand the terms of your contract to know what is covered.
Follow your insurer's instructions for submitting invoices and receiving reimbursement.
How do you prepare your car before selling it for scrap?
If your damaged car is declared beyond repair, you may have to sell it for scrap. Here's how to prepare your vehicle for this step.
1. Gather the necessary documents
The vehicle registration document must be complete and up to date. You'll need to hand this over to the wrecker.
Obtain a certificate of administrative status (non-gage) to prove that the vehicle is not subject to any opposition to the transfer of registration documents.
2. Remove personal belongings
Make an inventory of all personal belongings in the car and remove them before delivering it to the scrapyard.
Clean the vehicle to remove all garbage and personal items.
3. Prepare the vehicle for transport
If necessary, carry out temporary repairs to make it easier to transport the vehicle to the scrapyard.
Contact the scrapyard to arrange transport. Some wreckers offer a recovery service.
4. Administrative procedure with the scrapyard
Hand over the vehicle registration document and the certificate of administrative status to the scrapyard. You will also need to complete and sign a declaration of disposal for destruction form.
The scrapyard will issue you with a certificate of destruction. This document is crucial in formalizing the destruction of the vehicle and relieving you of any future liability.
5. Inform your insurance
Inform your insurer of the destruction of the vehicle and provide the certificate of destruction. This will terminate your insurance contract for the vehicle.
How do I declare an accident to my insurance company?
Declaring a car accident to your insurance company is a crucial step in ensuring that the damage is dealt with quickly and efficiently. Here are the detailed steps for reporting a car accident to your insurance company.
1. Gather the necessary information
Before contacting your insurance company, make sure you have all the relevant information at hand.
- Joint accident report
- Accident photos
- Third-party information
2. Contact your insurance company
In France, you must report the accident to your insurance company within 5 working days of the date of the accident.
You can report the accident by telephone, online via your insurer's website, or by visiting your local branch. Many insurance companies offer mobile applications to simplify the process.
3. Provide accident details
When you contact your insurer, be prepared to provide all the necessary details.
Explain the circumstances of the accident in detail. Use the joint accident report to ensure that the information provided is accurate.
Send a copy of the joint accident report, photos of the damage and any other relevant evidence by post or via your insurer's online portal.
The insurer will assign you a claim number. Make a careful note of it, as it will help you keep track of your file.
4. Damage assessment
Once the declaration has been made, your insurance company will proceed with the damage assessment.
An insurance surveyor will be appointed to examine the vehicle and determine the extent of the damage. This step is crucial in assessing the cost of repairs and deciding whether or not the vehicle is repairable.
The surveyor's report is sent to the insurance company and the vehicle owner. It details the damage, the repairs required, and the estimated costs.
5. Coverage and repair
On the basis of the expert's report, your insurance company will determine who will pay for the repairs.
Your insurance company can refer you to a network of approved garages.
If your insurance contract includes a deductible, you will have to pay this amount before the insurance company will cover the rest of the repair costs.
How do you know if a damaged car is repairable?
What to do if your damaged car can't be repaired?
If your wrecked car is declared beyond repair, you have several options. Here are the steps you need to take to manage this situation.
1. Receive compensation from your insurance
When your insurance company declares your vehicle beyond repair, it must compensate you.
Compensation is based on the vehicle's market value before the accident.
If your contract includes a deductible, this amount will be deducted from the total compensation.
The insurance company sends you an offer of compensation. You must accept it to receive payment. If you disagree, you can dispute the offer with additional evidence.
2. Options for the non-repairable vehicle
Once you have received compensation, you have several options for the non-repairable vehicle.
- You can sell your car to a scrapyard. Be sure to choose an approved ELV (End-of-Life Vehicle) center to guarantee environmentally-friendly and legal destruction.
- If some parts of your vehicle are still in good condition, you can sell the spare parts. This can be more profitable than selling the whole vehicle for scrap.
- Some technical schools or associations accept accident vehicles for educational or charitable purposes.
3. Administrative procedures
It is important to follow the administrative procedures to formalize the destruction of the vehicle.
Complete the certificate of sale for destruction with the ELV center. This document proves that you have transferred the vehicle for destruction.
Return the vehicle registration document to the ELV center. Cross out the vehicle registration document with the words "sold on" followed by the date of sale.
The ELV center will issue you with a certificate of destruction. This document is essential for closing the insurance and cancelling the vehicle registration.
4. Inform your insurance company and the local authorities
Once your vehicle has been destroyed, inform your insurance company and the local authorities.
Send the certificate of destruction to your insurance company to prove that the vehicle has been destroyed. This will close the insurance contract.
Inform the prefecture of the vehicle's destruction. You can do this online via the ANTS (Agence Nationale des Titres Sécurisés) website.
How do I get compensation for a damaged car?
To obtain compensation for a damaged car, you must first report the accident to your insurance company within 5 working days, providing an accident report and evidence such as photos of the damage.
An insurance expert will then be appointed to assess the damage and determine the amount of compensation based on the vehicle's market value before the accident.
According to a study conducted in 2022, the average compensation for a motor claim was around 3,500 euros.
If you agree with the assessment, you will receive payment after deduction of any deductible.
If you disagree, you can contest the offer by providing additional evidence.
FAQ about damaged cars
What's the difference between an economically irreparable vehicle (VEI) and a severely damaged vehicle (VGE)?
An economically irreparable vehicle (VEI) is considered too costly to repair in relation to its market value, while a severely damaged vehicle (VGE) presents such serious structural or safety damage that it is considered unsafe and unfit to be put back on the road.
Can I continue to use my vehicle after an accident without having it repaired?
It's illegal and dangerous to drive a vehicle with damage affecting its safety or functionality. What's more, if your car has a VEI or VGE classification, it must be repaired and re-certified by an expert before it can be put back on the road.
How do I know if my vehicle is still under warranty after an accident?
To find out whether your vehicle is still under warranty after an accident, check the terms of your warranty contract. Some warranties cover repairs after an accident, but this depends on the specific conditions and exclusions mentioned in the contract.
What impact does a wrecked vehicle have on my insurance premium?
If your vehicle is classified as a wreck, your insurance premium may be affected. You may lose no-claims bonuses, and your insurer may reassess your premium according to the perceived risk, especially if you are considered to be at fault for the accident.
What should I do if the other driver refuses to sign the joint accident report?
If the other driver refuses to sign the joint accident report, you should still complete your part of the report in as much detail as possible and forward it to your insurance company. Also note the contact details of any witnesses to the accident, and inform your insurer of the situation.
What rights do passengers have in the event of a car accident?
Passengers in an accident are entitled to compensation for injuries sustained. They can file a claim with the insurance company of the driver responsible for the accident. Passengers must provide proof of their injuries and medical expenses to obtain compensation.
Is it possible to recover personal property left in a car that has been scrapped?
Yes, it is possible to recover personal belongings left in an accidented car sent to the scrapyard. Contact the scrapyard to organize the recovery of your personal effects before the vehicle is destroyed.
How can I check the accident history of a used vehicle?
To check the accident history of a used vehicle, you can use online services such as HistoVec or Carvertical. These services provide detailed reports on past accidents, repairs and vehicle ownership history.
What recourse do I have if I disagree with the insurance company's expert opinion?
If you disagree with the insurance company's assessment, you can request a second opinion. This involves calling in an independent expert to reassess the damage. If the disagreement persists, you can initiate mediation or legal proceedings to resolve the dispute.
