How does depreciation reduce my claim?

For replaced parts, insurers usually pay less than the new-part price, depending on the material and the car’s age.

Commonly applied rates: rubber, nylon and plastic parts, and batteries, 50%. Fibreglass 30%. Glass 0%.

Metal parts by car age: nil up to 6 months, 5% up to 1 year, 10% up to 2, 15% up to 3, 25% up to 4, 35% up to 5, 40% up to 10 years and 50% after that.

Labour is not depreciated. A zero-depreciation add-on removes most of these deductions.