The category indicator on the vcar register is an indicator of what should happen to the bike/car etc. i.e the extent of the damage and therefore the likely end of the vehicle.
CAT A or crush material is for instance fire damage where there is no salvagable parts.
CAT B would be breakable, therefore parts are likely to appear on other vehicles
CAT C is heavily damaged
CAT D is some damage but the insurer has decided not to repair
None of the above indicate it is dangerous to repair. for instance I have restored a number of vehicles that would be classed as CAT B. having used new structural components and donated parts from the original plus second hand components etc.
When assessing should a vehicle be written off, you have to start with the pre accidenttal value, should the labour, part/materials exceed this then it is a straight write off. Bring the salvage vaue into the equation and it can be a constructional write off. You then have write offs under the terms of any special conditions on specific policies such as costs excess 50% of cars value on a vehicle under 1 year old etc.
The writing off of a vehicle is pure econonmics. safety is not an issue. the category is just used to ring an alarm bell should that vehicle reappear. CAT A should never appear. CAT B could appear under exceptional circumstances, CAT C/D could appear using second hand parts etc
|