Accidents

Please note; Information here is general advice collected and provided by many MG owners from various forums and discussion groups. It serves to give peace of mind and provide some options to focus on in times that may be stressful or confusing and may help make the situation a little clearer while you wait for the insurance assessment.

The Insurance Assessment

If your car is insured through a specialist insurer such as Shannons Insurance, that is generally a good starting point. Companies that specialise in enthusiast vehicles understand that classic cars are different from modern vehicles and are assessed a little differently.

When the assessor examines the vehicle, they are usually trying to answer three main questions.

1. Is the Body Structure Still Straight?

The most important thing the assessor will look at is whether the body shell is still structurally straight.

The MGB uses what is called a monocoque body, meaning the body itself is the main structure of the car rather than sitting on a separate chassis. Because of this, damage to certain areas can affect the overall strength and alignment of the car.

Areas that are usually inspected closely include:

• Windscreen pillars (A-posts)
• Roof and windscreen frame area
• Inner and outer sills
• Floor pan and transmission tunnel
• Front and rear chassis rails
• Suspension mounting points

If any of these areas have moved or distorted in the accident, the shell may require specialist alignment work on a chassis jig. While this can be done, it often involves a large amount of labour and can become expensive very quickly.

If the structure of the shell has been compromised, the car is much more likely to be declared an economic write-off.

2. What Would It Cost to Repair the Car Properly?

The second question is simply the cost of putting the car back into proper condition.

Fortunately, most body panels for the MGB are still available, so repairing damaged panels is generally possible. However, the time required to remove panels, repair the structure, refit parts, and repaint the car can add up quickly.

A repair estimate may include things such as:

• Replacement or repair of body panels
• Structural alignment work
• Windscreen and glass replacement
• Trim and chrome repairs
• Painting or full respray
• Mechanical checks after the accident

Even though parts are available, the labour involved in restoring the car properly can become quite significant. If the estimated repair cost approaches or exceeds the insured value of the vehicle, insurers will normally declare it an economic write-off.

3. Does Repairing the Car Make Practical Sense?

The final consideration is whether repairing the vehicle is sensible from both a safety and economic perspective.

Even if the car could technically be repaired, the assessor will consider whether:

• The structure can be returned to correct factory alignment
• The repair would maintain the car’s long-term structural integrity
• The cost of repair makes sense compared with the insured value

Because good MGBs are still available, insurers sometimes decide that it is more practical to pay the agreed value so the owner can purchase another car rather than fund a very extensive repair.

Structural Damage After Major Accidents

After any serious accident, the visible panel damage may look dramatic, but the real concern is usually whether the structural parts of the shell have moved.

Impacts can transmit force through the body and slightly alter the geometry of the shell. Even small changes in areas such as the windscreen pillars, sills or suspension mounting points can affect how the car sits and drives.

If structural distortion is present, the body often needs to be completely stripped and aligned on a chassis jig before repairs can begin. At that point the repair costs can quickly exceed the insured value of the vehicle.

For this reason, many heavily damaged MGBs are ultimately declared repairable write-offs, even though many of the mechanical components may still be perfectly usable.

If the Car Is Written Off

If the insurer decides that repairing the car is not economically viable, there are usually two possible options.

Option 1 – Accept the Insurance Settlement

The simplest path is to accept the agreed insured value and move on from the damaged car.

This allows the owner to:

• Purchase another MGB
• Avoid a lengthy restoration project
• Move forward without the stress of rebuilding a heavily damaged vehicle

Many owners choose this option once the full scale of the repairs becomes clear.

Option 2 – Buy the Car Back as Salvage

Specialist insurers will often allow the owner to buy the car back as salvage after a write-off.

This normally works as follows:

1. The insurer pays the agreed insured value.
2. The owner purchases the damaged vehicle back at a reduced salvage price.
3. The owner can then decide whether to repair it, keep it for parts, or sell the components.

For an MGB this can make sense because many parts still have value, including:

• Engine and gearbox
• Differential
• Suspension components
• Interior trim
• Instruments and electrical parts
• Chrome fittings

Some owners keep the car as a source of spare parts or sell the components to other restorers.

Salvage rights for total loss vehicles more than 35 years old, insured with Shannons

 

With Shannons Comprehensive Car Insurance, if your vehicle is over 35 years old and your vehicle is a total loss, you will keep the unrepaired vehicle.

NOTE: Salvage rights will not apply if your vehicle is stolen and we settle your claim as a total loss.

 

The Re-Shell Option

Another option sometimes used by restorers is to transfer the mechanical parts from the damaged car into another body shell.

Because MGB components are largely interchangeable, the engine, drivetrain, suspension and interior can often be fitted into another suitable shell. This could be:

• A rust-free donor car
• An unfinished restoration project
• In rare cases, a newly manufactured replacement shell

This approach allows the mechanical parts of the original car to continue in service without attempting to repair a badly distorted structure.

It is important to note, however, that the identity of the car is attached to the chassis number on the body shell, so changing shells may require inspection or approval from registration authorities.

Registration Considerations

If the damaged vehicle is bought back and repaired, it may be classified as a repairable write-off under South Australian regulations.

Before it can return to the road, it may need to undergo inspections to ensure that the repairs meet safety standards. Requirements can vary depending on the classification applied after the insurance assessment.

For that reason it is always wise to confirm the registration requirements before committing to a major rebuild.

Final Thoughts

Having an accident in a classic car is never pleasant, especially when the car has been part of your life for many years. The best approach is usually to wait for the insurance assessment and then consider the available options carefully.

Once the assessor has determined the condition of the structure and the likely repair costs, it will become clearer whether repairing the car, buying it back, or replacing it is the most sensible path forward.

Whatever the outcome, many owners eventually return to another MGB and continue enjoying the cars and the friendships that come with them.

Summary

For now, the best steps are simply:

1. Wait for the insurance assessor’s report.
2. Determine whether the body shell has structural distortion.
3. Compare the repair cost with the insured value.
4. Decide whether to accept the payout or buy the car back as salvage.   

 

Need help with something.

 

If further advice or assistance is needed, the MGB Register and fellow club members are always happy to help.