Deregistration of structurally damaged uninsured third party vehicles

Insurance companies would not wish to risk their reputations and public safety by settling an uninsured third party claim, without deregistering the third party vehicle if that vehicle has been structurally damaged.

The insurance company is going to insist that before they settle a claim with an uninsured third party, that the structurally damaged vehicle is deregistered.

Structurally damaged vehicles

Structurally damaged vehicles are repaired safely by qualified collision repair tradespeople. However, there are times when insurers may deem their customer's structurally damaged vehicle uneconomical to repair, and the vehicle will be disposed of by the insurer.

Insurers exercise a Duty of Care by deregistering vehicles that are structurally damaged to minimise the risk of unsafe vehicles getting back on the road.

Deregistered vehicles need to be inspected, repaired and then recertified by an NZTA appointed Repair Certifier or heavy vehicle specialist certifying engineer before they can go back on the road.

The following is a guideline on the types of damage that would constitute the vehicle having sustained "structural damage" meaning the vehicle would be unsafe to go back on the road unless correctly repaired:

Damage that will compromise the structural integrity of any of the bonded or welded seams or joints installed by the vehicle manufacturer.
Minor underbody impact damage as a result of 'grounding' the vehicle is allowed only to floorpan stiffening members. Some scraping of the sill seams is acceptable, but splitting of seam welds or tearing of the metal is not allowed. Distortion of suspension members or mounting points or tearing of metal structures is not allowed.
Denting or creasing of rocker panels (or outer sill) is allowed provided the dent or crease is less than 25mm. If any crease runs across the sill, it must be Repair certified. No discernable distortion to the inner sill's welded seam is allowed.
No distortion is allowed to longitudinal rails affecting the front and rear crush zones and kick up areas.
No cracking of the unitary body is allowed in areas affecting a safety component or system.
Any vehicle where one or more of the vehicle's supplementary restraint systems have been deployed.

In addition to the above 'structural damage' also includes any vehicle where the operation of the safety systems might have been affected by immersion in water, subjected to fire, or the vehicle is damaged to the extent that it is in the public interest to deregister the vehicle.

The following two categories require the vehicle to be deregistered as repairs are not to be permitted.

Any vehicle that has non-repairable structural components and the components are not available (i.e no substitution allowed).
If there is significant and extensive corrosion to areas that affect the vehicle's crash energy management structure.

Current · About ICNZ · Emergencies · Consumer advice · Regulation · News · Fire protection
Home · Sitemap · Contact us