Cheers for the thoughts guys (and claire lol!) yep I hope I never get to see the car again in all honesty, book value is what they normally pay, but what exactly is book value? I have access to CAP and glasses valuations via HPI tradeweb, so which price am i looking at, retail value or trade in?
OK, UK insureres must only use prices to change. So if you had a fully loaded GTI, then they must provide a payout which could see the insured in an identical car of identical spec. So if they try to use any 'trade' values, then they are pulling a fast one.
Anyway, good news that your car has now been found. 
Cheers for that, makes me feel a little better, as I still don't know the condition of the car yet, I was requested to bring the spare key down to the holding pound so the Police can gain entry to do their stuff (car was recovered locked up) I asked if I could see the car, but was denied access, as public aren't allowed into the storage area.
Well it is good that the Bill are taking it seriously.
And at the end of the day,
IF the car is damaged in any way, the insurers will only have to pay a small amount for the repairs, rather than a mega-bucks 'total loss' claim for a stolen and not recovered. Whilst any claim on insurance is a bit of a 'black mark', insurers really do seem to hate total loss claims, and really sting you hard come renewal time.
And the other bonus, if you do decide not to keep her, then at least you can get rid of in your own time at your own convenience - rather than hurring round trying to find something to replace it in a rush.
Keep us updated.
