Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi all,

The interior of my lovely 1968 Old English White convertible caught fire during welding at my local garage.

I have an agreed valuation (with my insurance company) though I'd done quite a bit of work on it over the past six months.

Their loss adjuster has inspected the car and I'm awaiting news from the garage proprietor.

Does anyone have any advice on how I can ensure a fair outcome?

Or whether this even looks repairable?







Advice appreciated...

All trim parts replaceable, and you'll need a few other bits like a steering wheel. Probably a headlining and possibly a wiring harness plus a lot of hard work, but quite salvageable - subject, of course, to the fact that we're looking at photo's and not the actual car. Sounds like a clear case of negligence by the garage - find somewhere better for future repairs!

Frankly I think it will be declared a write off. Would you be happy with the 'agreed value' if that was offered?

Looks to me as if the garage didn't know it was on fire, as it doesn't look as if any attempt to extinguish was made. Hope you get a satisfactory outcome.

Your claim of course is against the Garage - it's up to them whether they compensate you, or if they rely on their Insurance... Your car insurance should not need to be involved. Resist any suggestion that it's up to you to claim on your insurance. Ideally they should provide you with suitable transport meantime until the mess is sorted out. Meantime start looking for similar cars in similar condition to back up your claim for adequate compensation.

I hope that your agreed value is around £10000 - £12000 which seems to be the asking price for good white convertibles and you may be able to buy back the remains. Do not agree to any scrapping and do not hand over any ownership documents, there is a test case going through the system at the moment.
Best of luck

Many thanks for all the advice.

Will keep you posted...

Very sad to see your terrible state of your convertible. Where were they welding at the time?

Sorry I can't offer any advice but I hope it doesn't take too much haggling for you to achieve a sensible outcome.

The garage's insurer has opened the bidding at half what I believe it to be worth (with reference to other post-production Old English White convertibles for sale and to the agreed value certificate). I've responded with supporting evidence so will see where that gets us...

It's a starting point - but 'agreed value' is just that - so not a penny less is acceptable. If the garage insurance won't make that figure - then your own insurance should make it up to that agreed value. Meantime - hope you are enjoying the Courtesy car!

Revised offer received at the full agreed value.

Option to buy back the remains (for 750 quid) but am not sure this would make economic sense...

Don't think the heat from the fire would have done the metal any good, and what a mess to sort out. Take the money and run!

les wrote:Don't think the heat from the fire would have done the metal any good, and what a mess to sort out. Take the money and run!

I am no expert but seems like sound advice, unless you are up for major work & headaches do not bother buying it back.
Even if you could sell the engine etc. it would still be a lot of hassle.

Enjoy their courtesy car & go Minor shopping!

Well done - decent result at the end.... Use a different garage in future.... I agree - let the old car go....

I don'tvknow how hot it got... but I would suggest there is probably major panel distortion and it would be a nightmare to put back on the road.

If you think there are £750 worth of parts you could salvage for another then it may be worthwhile... otherwise walk away with the cash!

Thanks all for your advice.

With the settlement (and then some!), I bought this. Not a Morris, I know, but very British…

It's the last 450 SEAC that TVR made (number 18 of 18).

May well return to the Morris fold - just need to get this V8 exhaust note out of my system!

Oh, very nice. The weather to go with it would be welcome too