Not upheld: Motor insurance, total loss valuation complaint against Ageas Insurance Limited
Financial Ombudsman decision DRN-6267035 of 2026-06-26T00:00:00+00:00. Motor insurance, total loss valuation complaint against Ageas Insurance Limited. Outcome: Not upheld.
Decision detail
| Reference | DRN-6267035 |
|---|---|
| Decision date | 2026-06-26T00:00:00+00:00 |
| Firm | Ageas Insurance Limited |
| Product | Motor insurance |
| Claim type | Motor insurance, total loss valuation |
| Outcome | Not upheld |
| Remedy | None - complaint not upheld |
Summary
Mr S complained about Ageas' settlement of his commercial vehicle insurance claim following an accident that damaged his van. Ageas valued the van at £4,590, reduced it by £2,500 for pre-accident corrosion damage, and offered £2,040 after deducting the excess. The ombudsman found the valuation was fair based on trade guides and market evidence, the reduction was reasonable given repair costs would have exceeded £7,000, and the Category B write-off decision was properly supported by expert engineering assessment. The complaint was not upheld.
The Ombudsman's reasoning
The ombudsman found the valuation of £4,590 to be fair and possibly slightly generous based on trade guide valuations and available market evidence. The £2,500 reduction for pre-accident corrosion damage was reasonable given the engineer's estimate of over £7,000 for necessary repairs, and it is standard practice for insurers to reduce settlements for pre-accident damage. The Category B write-off decision was supported by the engineer's expert opinion with no contradicting evidence presented.
How this compares
| Group | Decisions | Uphold rate |
|---|---|---|
| Ageas Insurance Limited, all decisions | 3,009 | 40% |
| Motor insurance, total loss valuation, all decisions | 3,483 | 35% |
| Motor insurance, all decisions | 24,103 | 35% |
Source
Read the original decision on the Financial Ombudsman Service website