To anyone with the knowledge, I know that if your vehicle is written off you can buy it back but what is the policy if the vehicle is in your possession and insurance company write it off, pay out and leave it to rot where it stands?

I have had this happen twice now where the 3rd party has paid out and the vehicle has been left to catch dust. The last time I simply repaired the car, got a VIC check done and returned it to the road with no problems.

you need to ensure you have the salvage rights before doing anyhting to it - but pretty much yes as you describe

missus mx5 was written off. someone came and assessed it, wrote it off and i bought it back off them for £100.

I had repaired it before they had even made up their mind to write it off so was straight back on the road.

My GT was similar, although the guy came to acess it, wrote it off and then my insurance company gave me the choice of what i wanted to do with it so i kept it for parts. STill had a salvage company ring me though asking when they could collect it! Dont even think i paid to keep the car.

do you have to ask the insurance company if you want to keep it ??