The facts about salvage retention and insurance write-offs

One of the biggest questions we get about classic car insurance and specialist vehicle insurance is whether you can keep your car if it’s written off. The answer? It depends on the insurance write-off category and whether a qualified engineer declares it safe to go back on the road. Over the years, we’ve heard plenty of different takes on insurance salvage rights - some true, some not so much. So, let’s clear things up and explain what really happens if the worst should happen to your vehicle.

What is a car insurance write-off?

A write-off (total loss claim) happens when your vehicle is either:

• • Beyond economic repair – The cost of fixing it is more than the car is worth.
• • Structurally unsafe – Even if it could be repaired, it would still be unsafe to drive.

How do insurers decide?

A qualified engineer assesses the damage and places the car into one of four car insurance write-off categories.

The four car insurance write-off categories

Category N (Non-structural damage)

• • Repairable write-off, but the cost is close to, or exceeds the car’s value.
• • Could also apply to stolen and recovered vehicles that have already been settled by the insurer.

Category S (Structural damage)

• • Repairable car with structural damage.
• • Can return to the road once repaired properly.

Category B (Break only)

• • Too much damage to go back on the road.
• • Can’t be resold, but some salvageable car parts can be recovered by an approved company.

Category A (Scrap only)

• • Vehicle is completely unsalvageable (severe damage, contamination, or fire).
• • Must be crushed, with no parts reused.

Categories A and B cars will receive a Certificate of Destruction, meaning they can never be used again.

Can you keep the salvage?

If your vehicle is a Category A or B write-off, the answer is no - even if you have salvage retention cover. These are strict legal rules.

If your vehicle falls into Category S or N, you can negotiate with your insurer to keep the vehicle salvage.

How to retain your salvage?

1. When reporting the claim, tell your insurer straight away that you’d like to keep the salvage.

2. Your claims handler or insurance engineer will discuss your options as the claim progresses.

3. Once the car is officially declared a total loss, remind them of your initial request.

What happens to your insurance if you keep a written-off car?

If your insurer allows you to keep the car salvage, your cover may be reduced to Third Party Only insurance until the vehicle is roadworthy again. You’ll also need to pass all necessary safety checks (MOT, engineer reports) before driving it.

Can you dispute a write-off decision?

Yes, but there must be a valid reason — such as classic car insurance policies protecting a vehicle of historic significance. Your insurer will review your appeal based on the insurance category of loss.

Can you insure a previously written-off car?

Yes, as long as it has been properly repaired and passed all road safety checks. However, be aware that a car with a write-off history may have a lower resale value and could receive a reduced insurance payout if written off again in the future.

Need more info?

For more details on written-off vehicles, salvage retention, and total loss insurance, check out the UK Government guide: www.gov.uk/written-off-vehicle

Concerned about salvage retention?

Whilst we don’t sell salvage retention add-ons, we always help our clients negotiate if their vehicle is written off. Want to chat? Give our expert team a call on 0121 550 2380, Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm.