Written off vehicle register sucks

[DAVID_M]

Hi all

Just joined and dropped in to say G'Day.

My beautiful 1997 Vienta in immaculate condition having been detailed by God, was showered with glass which fell from a truck and exploded on the road as I drove along the freeway. Minor chips in windscreen, bumper peppered with glass frags and about twenty paint chips in bonnet and guards.

Took car to GIO for assessment.....bad mistake! Needs new windscreen and complete re-spray to take it back to factory spec. New laws in NSW came in Feb 2011 that requires assessors to write off any car where market value is less than cost of repairs. GIO writes off car and pays out my claim for agreed value, LESS rego, LESS CTP, LESS unpaid premiums for 9 months and LESS value of car as salvage (now in my carport). "Please find enclosed cheque for $824.53. Have a nice day!"

RTA advise vehicle is now a statutory write off. Please return plates. But we can apply for permission to repair IF we meet exemptions conditions... None exist for this circumstance except for Registered operator is a member of a recognised enthusiasts club for vehicles of that type

Guess what? I just joined the Toyota Owners Club and instantly became an ENTHUSIAST!...

[Now to convince the RTA of this fact.]

[DJKOR]

Good luck with trying to convince them. Not trying to be negative here, but be prepared for disappointment. This isn't exactly what they would define as such.

It is such an unfortunate situation, but unfortunately there is not too much that can be done about it.

[Steven]

So essentially the only non-cosmetic damage is the windscreen? They want to scrap a car, contributing to landfill, due to a windscreen?

I'd actually consider contacting major media outlets regarding this, as it seems to fly in the face of Government agencies trying to cut down on waste. You won't change the law, but you might suddenly get that exemption if it appears in the paper.

On second though, I'd take that reasoning to the RTA and keep escalating it, with questions like "why is my vehicle no longer safe on the road if I get a $200 windscreen, a standard replacement item for cars everywhere? Why is the RTA keen on increasing landfill when the vehicle has no permanent structural damage or major defects?"

Also state (once high enough up the chain) of your intentions to contact the media about this, and that you've documented every person you've spoken to and their responses to supply to the media. That regional manager is more likely to play ball if it keeps his name from being highlighted in a newspaper article for HIS bosses to read.

[Ozzcaddy]

How much was the car insured for? The reason I ask is that it gets to a point on older cars where the cost of the premium is high compared to the amount the car is insured for, therefore, some people just take out third-party insurance.

Also, did they provide a copy of the full Assessors report, or did the assessor basically stop assessing once he reached the amount the car was insured for. As you describe, you could provide to the RTA a copy of the assessors report showing only windscreen and cosmetic damage, and not road-worthiness or structural damage.

Edited September 23, 2011 by Ozzcaddy

[DAVID_M]

The RTA did not get the assessors report, nor will they entertain any notion of reviewing the assessors decision. Under the law, once vehicle is deemed economically unrepairable, the assessor is obliged by law to report the vehicle as a statutory write off. Seems that once the assessor decided it needed a full respray, a $4000 car became instantly uneconomic. I have approched RTA for "special circumstances review" and told to sod off as there is no discretionary powers in the legislation ..Comment by RTA " we are looking into this with a view to changing the law sometime in the future" [read - don't hold your breathe].

Already escalated to local member [read the same !]

Have asked RTA if this wonderful club of "enthusiasts" is acceptable under the Act.

Strangely, on reading the law as it now stands, if ANYONE (including the owner, whether insured or not) makes the same assessment, they are obliged to report the vehicle as a write-off. Be very careful when you consider getting that 1976 Corolla with severe rust damage restored so it can be guest of honour on Classic Restos coz you just may be breaking the law!

[MR22ZZ]

Join Toymods Car Club. http://www.toymods.org.au

They are a NSW registered and incorporated car club and recognised by the RTA as a Toyota enthusient club.

You'll have much better chance dealing with the RTA then...

as for your 'anyone, any car' crap in your last post. If a car is over 15 years old they are not automatically placed on the register... I'd also equire down this path as, depending on when the 1st registration of your car was, it would also be close to 15 years.