Car written off? Personal number plate actions

What if my car is a write-off?

"What happens to my personal number plate if my car is written off?"

No one likes to think about the possibility of having an motor accident. But we all know they happen. And sometimes the damage to the vehicle is not economical to repair.

Have you thought about what happens to your personal number plate if your car is declared as a write-off?

Be warned…. act quickly, and make sure you follow the rules set out by the DVLA. Or you run the real risk of losing your cherished registration!

If you have an accident, your car insurance company may decide to ‘write off’ your car. That means that your insurer has decided your vehicle is beyond economical repair. The car insurance company then agrees a pay-out with you. Once that’s settled, your insurance company now owns the vehicle. And the company can dispose of the vehicle as they wish – either by selling it as salvage or having it scrapped.

If your car is sold on, the new purchaser could repair it and put it back on the road.

So what happens to your personal number plate?

Well, as the registration ‘belongs’ to the vehicle, the ownership of the registration number transfers to the insurance company. And then on to the new purchaser.

Don't lose your personal number plate

What do you need to do to make sure you don't lose your personal number plate when your car is written off?

If you have the rights to a personal registration number, that’s all you own – the rights to it. If your car is written off, you can apply to transfer or retain the registration number. Make sure that

	Your insurer has not sold or scrapped the vehicle
	The vehicle is available to the DVLA for inspection
	You can meet all the DVLA criteria to transfer your number plate to another vehicle or retain your number plate (i.e. place it on a number plate retention document). DVLA fees apply.

It’s really important you talk to your car insurance company immediately about the personal number plate. And make sure you act quickly, before the insurance company disposes of the vehicle. Or you could lose your registration number. Once the vehicle is sold on or scrapped, the DVLA rules are very clear….you will lose your personal number plate!

Disclaimer

This information is for your guidance only. It is not intended as a definitive guide or a formal contract. You should refer to the DVLA for full rules and regulations.