What do ‘Write-off’ categories mean



Write-off categories are given to vehicles with damage that will cost near to or more than the insured value of the vehicle itself – to be repaired.

When considering repair costs an insurance provider may take into account not only parts and labour but possibly also costs for a hire car while your vehicle is off the road.

Even if the damage may seems minor, it is often the labour charges that make a vehicle uneconomic to repair.

A total loss or ‘Write-off’ will then be referred to as 'salvage'. These three terms are often associated with the following Categories:-

  • Category A. This vehicle has been inspected by an appropriately qualified person, declared unsuitable or beyond repair and has been identified to be crushed in its entirety. This vehicle is deemed not suitable to be repaired. Must be crushed without any parts being removed. This vehicle will be classed as waste

  • Category B. This vehicle has been inspected by an appropriately qualified person and declared unsuitable or beyond repair. The vehicle is deemed not suitable to be repaired. Usable parts can be recycled. This vehicle will be classed as waste

  • Category S -This vehicle has been inspected by an appropriately qualified person and declared suitable for repair. Repairable vehicle which has sustained damage to any part of the structural frame or chassis and the insurer/ self-insured owner has decided not to repair the vehicle.

  • Category N – This vehicle has been inspected by an appropriately qualified person and declared suitable for repair.

    Repairable vehicle which has not sustained damage to the structural frame or chassis and the insurer/ self-insured owner has decided not to repair the vehicle.

    While the damage to the vehicle has been noted as non-structural, there may still be some safety critical items that require replacement e.g. steering and suspension parts.




Do you think your vehicle is a ‘total loss’ or ‘write off’ after an accident?

If you have not yet made a claim on your car insurance and you think your vehicle may be uneconomical to repair after a non-fault accident – call us.

We provide an alternative to a claim on your own insurance policy that means you have no-excess to pay and your insurance premiums should not be affected.

Costs and charges are recovered directly from the at-fault drivers insurer.

To find out more, call Car Call on 02392 484 244 or start your claim enquiry online using the button below, and one of our experienced claims advisors will be happy to assist you.

Any policyholder can use this service, and it is your legal right to choose who repairs your vehicle. All assistance offered and information given on this page is provided by Car Call and its partners , no association or affiliation to any particular insurer is intended in any way, and your statutory rights are unaffected.


No need to claim on your insurance

Anyone who has been involved in a road accident has the right to choose who repairs their vehicle. If you were responsible for the accident you were involved in, the company that insures your vehicle would normally deal with your accident claim.

However if you were not at-fault for the accident, you can choose to either claim on your own insurance policy or make a claim independently of your insurer. To find out more call 02392 484 244 and we will be happy to help.

We and our partners help thousands of people make independent accident claims. Our service enables motorists to get the help and assistance they need to resolve their accident related issues, with the costs being recovered directly from the at-fault driver on your behalf.

No excess to pay

Unfortunately even if an accident was not your fault, your insurer will almost certainly require you to pay your excess before any repair is started on your car.

This money should of course be recovered by an insurer at a later date, but with our service - you do not have to pay it at all.

By using our independent claims service, you are not making a claim on your insurance policy and so you will have no excess to pay.

Receive a comparable replacement hire vehicle

Not all insurance policies will include a replacement hire-car for you to use if yours is damaged and unroadworthy. In fact it is typically an 'optional extra' on your policy.

Other policies may offer a 'courtesy car' but this is often just a 'basic' saloon or hatchback which may not be suitable for your needs.

Car Call and its partners will provide a comparable replacement vehicle as part of our service. This means we will endeavour to supply a hire-vehicle that similar to your own in terms of its type, make and engine size.

So whether you drive a small hatchback or a prestige sports car, we will look to provide a similar hire-vehicle that suits your needs.

Manufacturer approved vehicle repairs

If you have been involved in a car accident, the last thing you want to have to worry about is the quality of the repairs to your car. We have a UK wide network of partner approved Accident Repair Centres available to all of our customers.

Many of our accident repair centres are have manufacturer approvals for specific brands, so if you require a manufacturer approved repair centre, simply tell your personal claim handler and they will ensure your vehicle goes to an approved repairer.

Want you vehicle repaired by a specific garage? No problem, we can alternatively use a repairer that you specify.

Legal Assistance

Our partner solicitors provide legal assistance as part of our service. They specialise in motor claims related issues, so you can be assured of the best possible advice and assistance.

They issues they can assist you with include:

  • Recovery of the cost of the replacement hire-vehicle
  • Recovery of the cost of uplifting your damaged vehicle
  • Recovery of all repair costs
  • Recovery of the cost of damaged of personal items
  • Seeking financial compensation for an injury