Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!

Questions About Auto Insurance and Accidents

1910121415107

Comments

  • moore3moore3 Member Posts: 7
    Mathias,

    When you say the "whole ball of wax" are you referring to anything other than the replacement value ($3,500 per the adjuster) $4,600 per Edmunds) and the sales tax (7% in Georgia)?
  • steine13steine13 Member Posts: 2,818
    "Whole ball of wax" is "retail value of similar car, plus tax, title, license".

    In other words, the cash money it takes so you can go to a car dealer, buy a similar car to the one that was totaled, and drive away in it.

     

    That's a sight more money than the "actual cash value" of your vehicle at the time of the accident. If your car has a replacement value of around $4k based on "retail book", its ACV is probably only half that.

     

    What I'm saying is, it's not so bad... except for the negative equity, which is now rearing its ugly head.

     

    Good luck,

    -Mathias
  • janzjanz Member Posts: 129
    Question for you: Isn't there now the potential for him to have even more negative equity in the decreased value of a car with extensive(?) repairs? Especially if this makes it to the Carfax report.
  • Kirstie_HKirstie_H Administrator Posts: 11,146
    Negative equity is only a problem if you sell it before the loan is paid off. If he's planning to repair and keep, the only smart move is to keep it til it's paid off.

    MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
    Need help navigating? kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
    Share your vehicle reviews

  • janzjanz Member Posts: 129
    I had a similar experience about 20 years ago and have not been upside down in a vehicle since. Thanks.
  • Kirstie_HKirstie_H Administrator Posts: 11,146
    If the car is RE-totalled within the next couple of years, that would be some of the most insane of bad luck stories.

    MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
    Need help navigating? kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
    Share your vehicle reviews

  • moore3moore3 Member Posts: 7
    Your right. I do plan to keep the car until it is paid off - and even longer if it keeps running.
  • moore3moore3 Member Posts: 7
    You said:

    If the car is RE-totalled within the next couple of years, that would be some of the most insane of bad luck stories.

     

    Would you believe that this is like the fourth time this vehicle has been hit? I kid you not!
  • prophet2prophet2 Member Posts: 372
    It must be some kind of accident magnet, or is simply cursed. I wouldn't want to be in it for #5.
  • Kirstie_HKirstie_H Administrator Posts: 11,146
    Maybe you should consider the purchase of a vehicle without the magnetic bumpers :)

    MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
    Need help navigating? kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
    Share your vehicle reviews

  • patj1patj1 Member Posts: 2
    I hit a car. The police was already near the accident because it was raining. the driving ahead of me stopped on a green light I hit him in the rear. The police did not give me or the other driver a ticket.But I don't have insurance. Should I pay for his repairs or let his insurance pay and see what happens?
  • patj1patj1 Member Posts: 2
    I hit a car. The police was already near the accident because it was raining. The driver ahead of me stopped on a green light I hit him in the rear. The police did not give me or the other driver a ticket. But I don't have insurance. Should I pay for his repairs or let his insurance pay and see what happens?
  • yurakmyurakm Member Posts: 1,345
    You will pay any case. Either directly, or will repay the other driver's insurance company.

     

    How you managed not to receive ticket? Rear end obviously is your fault ("following too close"), and driving without insurance is crime.
  • bobotheclownbobotheclown Member Posts: 53
    If his insurance pays him, they will most definately come after you for payment.

     

    If they don't pay him, the other driver will most likely come after you for the cost of repairs.

     

    Both ways, you will have to pay for your mistake.
  • kmagkmag Member Posts: 98
    I was involved in an accident on Friday morning. I was cut off on the freeway and spun several times, hiting the wall on the front and rear. The airbags deployed and the front end is caved in enough to damage the radiator, and most likely some other stuff under there as well. Thankfully I am OK.

     

    The car is a 99 Buick Regal LS. Although I really had grown to like it in the two months I had it, I hope that the car is going to be totalled. I know from experience that a collision on either end can easily do 4000 of damage, and this car would cosmetically need a complete front end, hood, both fenders, bumpers, lights, grill, plus the damage underneath the hood, plus the rear bumper, airbags, dash and windsheild. It would seem like the damage could easily add up to more than the cost of a similar car, 7-10K, and I dont know that Id feel too confident about the car knowing the hit it took.

     

    The car is at a body shop today and I expect to hear from the insurance co. soon as to what they want to do.

     

    Reading this board I see that there are many instances where the ins co. fixes a car that objectively should be totalled. Is there any negotiating strategy to get things to go the way you want them to? Do I even have any say in what goes on? If they are going to fix it can I demand OEM parts? And could I insist on new tires, since mine could have been damaged by the spinning? I have had cars repaired before from crashes but not from a hit like this.
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 32,889
    i'm not sure of all the details on your car, but a '99 Buick Regal LS, according to Edmunds, is about a $4K trade-in. So I'd say its definitely going to be totalled. I mean, aren't airbags alone like $1500?

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • smack5smack5 Member Posts: 1
    I was in an accident where I rear ended the other vehicle. I was traveling down the Garden State Parkway, a toll road in NJ. I am an insured driver from MD. As we approached the toll plaza the car in front of me started to turn into another lane. I too was looking to change lanes and looked behindto my right to see if it was clear. When I looked back the car in front of me had completed his turn and the car in front of him before his turn (2 cars in front of me) had come to complete stop because that toll lane had just closed. As I noticed this I applied the brakes but was unable to stop. I called the police myself fearing any future complaints from the other party involved. The officer took the above statement from me and returnde my information and said I was free to go.

     

    Now I have since been informed that in NJ an officer can issue a ticket up to 30 days after the incident. If this is in fact true, what type of ticket if any am I looking at? And more importantly, what would the fines and points associated with it be?

     

    My insurance company is taking care of the other cars damage and my car is damage free. But I know with the law the way it reads that I am at fault in the eyes of the law. But not being issued a ticket on the spot makes me more nervous because I have no idea what, if anything, to expect.

     

    I have heard careless, negligent, and following too close. But I dont see how I could get a following too close, seeing as I was behind another care and was approaching a toll which was less than 50 feet away. I also hope they don't say it was negligent.

     

    Any insight or thoughts would be appreciated.
  • yurakmyurakm Member Posts: 1,345
    And what is a difference for you?

     

    I think that the right diagnose would be "excessive speed for the conditions". However, in my experience, when a car is rear-ended, police always tickets for "following too close". My wife was rear-ended two times. The both times the drivers at fault did not follow too close - they were just distracted and started braking too late. My wife saw it clearly. However, in the both cases they were cited ("arrested" in police speak) for following too close.

     

    By the way, law knows only two generic kinds of guilt: intentional and negligent. Given you had no intentions to cause the accident, if you are in fault, you were negligent. "Following too close", as well as "excessive speed for conditions" is just a specific kind of neglect.
  • goobers123goobers123 Member Posts: 2
    Hi guys. I was in an accident the other day where someone T-boned me...I was hit in the front drivers side to the front corner panel. Side air bag deployed, front driver door needs to be replaced and the front left wheel and axle were badly damaged. This car was a 99 Infiniti G20 touring model w/ 82k miles in perfect condition. Can anyone estimate the amount of the damage and when is a car considered totalled? When the value of the damage is more than the car is worth? Thanks in advance for any advice.

    Rick
  • yurakmyurakm Member Posts: 1,345
    As a rule, insurance companies are totaling cars when damage exceeds 75% to 80% of its value.

     

    Why not 100%? Because repair costs tend to exceed the initial estimates. Additionally, insurance companies get few bucks back by selling the totalled car to salvage yards.
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 32,889
    may I ask when and where this was?

    Just curious if it was the Toms River toll (around mile 84) yesterday morning?

     

    I'd say, in that case, you are looking at "failure to maintain control of vehicle," but I have no idea what the fine involved is. There is a chance that the points won't matter since you are a MD driver. I guess its a crapshoot. I know that I received 2 speeding tickets in NY while going to school there and they never turned up on the NJ driving record.

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • kmagkmag Member Posts: 98
    Well they are going to total my 99 Regal. At least that is what the body shop is saying. After sitting there for 3 days they finally looked at it and "its an obvious total". The insurance rep still has to have his say.....Seems like they dont do anything unless you prod them.

     

    Now Im probably going to have to fight with them for replacement cost. Book value on my Regal is $7,550 on NADA, $8,310 on KBB and Edmunds reports a whopping $6,837. However it is unlikely that I can replace my car locally for even the KBB value. Searching AutoTrader, Cars.com and the local newspapers car ads, the closest Regal to mine that does not have more than 70K miles, is 55 miles away, has 57K and is priced at 10,495. Most others fall in the 7-9K range, even some with over 100K miles.

     

    Granted these are asking prices but that's really all I can go on. I mean, thats what the sales guys who post are constantly saying, the price is on the window, you can always offer less but the selling price is clearly marked.....
  • rroyce10rroyce10 Member Posts: 9,332
      ..... The important thing is, your ok ...

     

              All in all, it sounds like your in good shape .. meaning, the body shop doesn't have it all apart and they're telling the Ins co it only needs $2,500 of work, then 3 weeks later they're super-gluing this bad boy together to the tune of $5 grand++, then it's worth squat .....

     

             Based on what little information I have here, it sounds like a $4,5ish vehicle on the wholesale side and a $6,5ish vehicle on the retail side - but I never try to out-guess insurance companies ... good luck and let us know what happens ...

     

                                             Terry.
  • goobers123goobers123 Member Posts: 2
    Hi guys. My 99 Infiniti G20 Touring model w/82K miles was considered a total loss after an accident the other day. After looking at similiar cars in the area, I'm seeing prices of between $8000 and $9000 for the vehicle. Can you give me any idea of how much the insurance company will value this car at? Is it standard for them to include tax, dmv charges etc. into the reimbursement for my vehicle? Any help you can give is greatly appreciated, I'm a novice when it comes to this area.

     

    Thanks

     

    Goobers123
  • yurakmyurakm Member Posts: 1,345
    I am also novice, but I believe that insurance covers sale tax, registration, etc. As well as I remember, it is so according to my policy.

     

    It is a good idea to document the prices you saw (save the newspaper pages, etc.) in case you will need to argue with your insurance company.
  • happydriverhappydriver Member Posts: 10
    My car was just burned to a crisp, with all our possessions and Xmas presents inside. We were crusing down the highway when the car just went from 70 to 0 and shuddered and bucked as it came to a stop. There was smoke coming from under the hood, and one of my kids got out and screamed "the car is on fire". My 3 sons and I bolted out of the car. You should see the pictures...

    the fire started under the engine compartment and the car became completely engulfed in flames before the fire dept arrived.

    My Q. is: CAN I HOLD LEXUS RESPONSIBLE for the contents (the car was still under warranty - about 41,000 miles and there was no apparent cause for why this happened).

    I have no homeowners policy to cover the contents of the car! Also, any other advice on how to deal with Lexus or my auto insurance company?

    I'm just thankful my family is alright, but I also want to be "made whole" from a financial standpoint and we lost so much in the car! Thanks.
  • rroyce10rroyce10 Member Posts: 9,332
    ........ Wow.! and Merry Christmas to you .. how the heck did you get the name Happy Driver after that deal..? .. I would be flippin' friggin' out - sounds like Halloween, not Christmas ... the most important thing, everyone is alright ..

     

                   For starters, your auto insurance will cover most or some of it, depending on the policy and what state your in, so I hope you have the receipts and the CC bills ... the Lexus part, it will all depend on the history of the vehicle, service dates, dealer activity, service recalls, stuff like that - not too many Lexi are known for the "Smokey the Bear" routine ...... I would think a good Fire Marshall report and a good Ins adjustor will be able to clear up the smoke on this deal, so I would wait until the reports are in before getting a Ambulance chaser involved, if you know what I mean .. if they're liable, Lexus will pay ......... :)

     

                  Not the way I would want to spend my Christmas and I sincerely hope the rest gets better .... let us know what happens.!

     

                                   Terry.
  • happydriverhappydriver Member Posts: 10
    Thanks, Terry. I'm a "happydriver" only because my three children and I got out in time before the car burned to the ground. Have to look at the bright side. Everyone who sees the photos says "burned" doesn't describe it...the car was incinerated in a huge fireball. It was frightening.

     

    The insurance company has my old Lexus (the 2000 I traded in for the 2002) still on the policy. I notified them of the change, but they are giving me a hard time about it and I'm scared now that I'm going to be fighting a big insurance company on the coverage issue...it just gets worse!

     

    My auto insurance doesn't cover contents, and I don't have homeowners insurance, which would.

     

    I hope Lexus will stand by their warranty...any thoughts on how to make sure they do. The car was never serviced anywhere but Lexus and they last checked it out at 36,000 miles and it was just the routine belts and fluids.

     

    The insurance company will send an investigator, but the car is so burned, I'm not sure what they will figure out as the cause. I have photos to show it started in the engine, but that's all.

     

    Any guidance is appreciated. Thanks.
  • happydriverhappydriver Member Posts: 10
    ...and even renotified them. I believe I called it in to my local insurance agent at the local AAA office. It appears that she never made the change and I didn't catch that until earlier this year.

     

    The ins. co. is AAA. They were taking a very long time to make a number of changes...updating my car, taking other cars off the policy, and removing two other drivers from my policy.

     

    Now, my car is totaled and the insurance company is saying they may not cover my car because it's listed as the old 2000 car, not the 2002 car which was burned up.

     

    I have some recent correspondence from 2004 about making the change, but no proof I can find that I notified them of the change in 2002 when I traded in the old car for the new one.

     

    Any suggestions on fighting the insurance company on this?
  • steine13steine13 Member Posts: 2,818
    "Any suggestions on fighting the insurance company on this? "

     

    First of all, tread lightly. Keep the lawyers and the threats for last. "It's just business", but I bet it feels pretty personal.

     

    How did you ever get this thing licensed? Here in MI at least, you needed proof of insurance... is it different in your state? I would start there.

     

    I think you'll be fine, based on the fact that you've been paying them, albeit for the wrong car. You need to speak with a decision maker; your agent may be a complete yahoo just trying to cover his or her hiney. Sounds like total nonsense to me, unless your old car was a PLPD-only beater. You said elsewhere it was a 2000 Lexus, so I doubt that $$ difference was a lot... simple clerical error, I don't think there's a chance they can completely deny the claim. The judge will set them straight in the end, but I'd try to stay away from that.

     

    Two years? What do the bills say? How do you pay hour insurance? Did you keep any statements? I keep mine, and I can tell you off the top of my head what's on them.... am I missing something, or are you? I do wish you well, and I think it'll be okay in the end, but who's driving the bus in your life?

     

    Baffled, I remain,

    -Mathias
  • rroyce10rroyce10 Member Posts: 9,332
    ....... AAA.? .. are you sure it isn't "AA" .. cuz' those guys might have forgot over one too many Martoonies .......... ;)

     

                Mathias is right, the previous bills .. and most important: the new Vin# should be on the policy - and lets not forget that little paperwork between the "lein holder" and the insurance company .. sounds like the agent was asleep at the wheel, so he will be bobbin' and weavin' all over the place (must be from Florida, I put the Hurricane rider on your policy, I promise) so you need to get with the Regional manager once you have the proper info ...

     

                 Your going to end-up with two separate entities here, 1.) the insurance coverage and 2.) the potential liability of the manufacturer -- *Do not get them confused* one has nothing to do with the other .. the insurance company might tell you they won't pay because of the manufacturer, and vice versa ... these are 2 separate "entities" and keep it that way.

     

                                    Terry.
  • happydriverhappydriver Member Posts: 10
    Thanks for your suggestions. I'll follow up on them, such as with the DMV about the licensing. I think Lexus sent in the paperwork and knew I had insurance. I had told my agent I bought a new car and gave her the VIN #, but I simply didn't notice until earlier in 2004 that the Lexus was still showing up as 2000. Since it was the same model and manufacturer, it just didn't catch my eye that they hadn't changed the year until this January. I notified them at least once by phone and then once in writing (and kept a copy) that the year was wrong. I'll hope for the best.

     

    Now, the other issue is what caused the engine fire and how to "make" Lexus be responsible given that the car was under warranty. Have you heard, or do you know how to check, on whether there have been other LX470 Lexus SUVs, or even other Lexus' in general that have had engine fires like mine?

     

    Thanks again.
  • happydriverhappydriver Member Posts: 10
    The new VIN # wasn't on the policy...they never changed it. I've been paying premiums all this time on a 2000 Lexus SUV I traded in to Lexus for the 2002 SUV. There was no lien holder, so that's probably why it didn't get caught earlier.
  • kmagkmag Member Posts: 98
    Well, the insurance gave me 7900 + tax - deductable for my totalled 99 Regal LS with 64K miles. Alot more than I thought but I have filed a claim for additional money since I cannot replace the car for that amount locally. The closest match was an identical car with 7K less miles, 50 miles away that was priced at 10,495. Thats rather high, and probably belongs in the Car Classified Chuckles topic, but it illustrates the dealer asking prices around here.
  • asteeleasteele Member Posts: 2
    My Jeep was hit a couple weeks ago by a driver who was in the left-turn lane but decided last minute to change into the right lane- I swerved to avoid him (he still hit me) and hit a tree. The police didn't cite either of us (he said it didn't look like there was much damage) but did say in his police report that Driver 1 (the other guy) made an "improper turning procedure." Well, the damage to my Jeep came to almost $7k. His insurance agency has decided that it was not his fault and is now refusing to pay. My understanding was that since the police report indicated it was the other guy's fault, his insurance company would cover it. Any suggestions on how I can fight their decision? I can always go through my insurance company, but would like to avoid having to pay the deductible, car rental fee, etc. if I can! Any suggestions are appreciated!
  • rroyce10rroyce10 Member Posts: 9,332
    ....... $7,900...? plus the tax .. soooo, "around" $8,5ish minus the deductible ..?

     

               Bud .. I would be doing hand flips, sommersalts and a cool end-zone dance ..... not bad for a vehicle that dealers arent paying much more than the tall $4's for ......

     

                  By the way, I'm a little short after the holidays, how about spotting me a few bucks ............... ;^}

     

                                   Terry.
  • janzjanz Member Posts: 129
    Does the other insurance actually have a copy of the police report? If you think they might not, get a copy and send it to them. I did this once, my agent said this probably shaved a week or 2 off the time to evaluate a claim I had.

     

    Also, I'd think the report should make a difference. When in a similar situation years ago, the police report stating they other driver was at fault made all the difference in who paid my claim.

     

    Good Luck
  • sirius2005sirius2005 Member Posts: 1
    i was involved in an automobiole accident and almost 2 hours after the accident i reported it to my insurance company. i left out a detail of the accident and missed to report a damaged area that is really related to the accident because i didn't see it that time. i was focused on the more visible damage and i was just shock and scared (i didn't even check the damage on the car who hit us). the driver of the truck admitted it's his fault. we also have a witness. when an investigator went to the autoshop to make an estimate of the damages, he said that the insurance will not cover the damages i didn't mention and since i also failed to mention the part of the accident that would confirm the damage, they refuse to cover it. i don't know if they send somebody to check the car of the guy who hit of. they didn't even call the witness. they also refuse for reinvestigation. is it possible that they refuse to reinvestigate? the damage that they refuse to pay is over $2,000 and I've been trying to contact every possible person who may be able to prove that it's caused by the accident (towing service, police)... what should i do?
  • dingbatdingbat Member Posts: 2
    Help! I need advice. Although I have a good driving record over the years, it is not so good lately, A few days ago only one space left in the clinic lot, and it was narrow with a deep cement post on the right. Well I was stupid enough to park there, although careful not to get too close to the car on the left.

     

    In so doing, I got too close to the post. After my appointment, when I tried to back up, I could tell my car was scraped on the post -- no room to pull forward and maneuver. I ended up waiting two hours until the car ahead left so I could pull out forward (turned out it was an employee who wasn't supposed to park there). If my car had been centered in that space, there would have been less than a foot of room on either side.

     

    Long story short, I got an estimate and it is over $1,000 because there are scrapes along the right rear door and rear panel. This is the worst thing I've done to a car ever. I am reluctant to put in a claim because last summer I had a minor parking lot accident and the other party put in a claim. This was determined to be 50/50 fault, although I didn't put in a claim -- paid for my own repair (not spendy). Then three months later, I was rear-ended and the other party's insurance paid for that repair.

     

    I have comprehensive with $100 deductible (my car is fairly new). Then again, maybe this is collsion rather than comprehensive. I'm afraid my rates will go up if I put in a claim. Should I just bite the bullet on this?
  • yurakmyurakm Member Posts: 1,345
    I would suggest to not file the claim, if you can afford the repair.

     

    Otherwise the total care insurance payments for the three following years, most probably, will increase by $2,000 or so. In other words, filing the claim would be equivalent to taking a three-year loan at very high interest rate, 30% or so. Few credit cards are charging so much interests.
  • dingbatdingbat Member Posts: 2
    Thank you, yurakm. That's kind of what I thought too, that it would raise my rates. I looked over my policy and I think this incident would fall squarely in the collision zone, which would really look bad in the long run.

     

    Yes, it's a spendy thing now, but as you said, paying the inflated rates over the next three years would be worse.

     

    At least the repair shop (the one that fixed my car after it was rear-ended) has a 90-day same as cash payment plan.

     

    Appreciate the feedback!
  • macxmacx Member Posts: 1
    Hi guys,

     

    I have camry 96 and 120K miles. I was at the accident where other person was at fault. My body shop has recommended to total the car, but the insurance company wants to repair it. The repair cost is more than 80% of the total cost. The repair cost is 3900 and the KBB value is 4600.

     

    I would like the car to be totaled because this is second accident on my car.

     

    Do I have a choice to have it totaled?
  • steine13steine13 Member Posts: 2,818
    TAKE THE CHECK.

     

    If they'll give you $3,900, take it.

    If they balk, come back and talk to the experts here (not me).

     

    But try to get the $$ from them. Totaling would be even better, but that may not happen. Even the wreck has some value, and it's yours to sell. $500 is better than -0- and will cover your deductible, no?

     

    Don't repair this thing, and put everything on ice until you get this figured out. No lawyers, though, or everyone will stop talking to you. This isn't rocket science, just an old Camry...

     

    -Mathias
  • sean3sean3 Member Posts: 158
    Need some advice, my brother's car was t-boned, not his fault, the other girls ins company is totaling it, which is obvious, and the settlement amount will almost pay the loan balance, the problem is his credit has seriously declined, and now that the finance company is paid off , they want nothing more to do with him, he cant get financed anywhere, the girls ins comopany (farmers) said they have no obligation in Private Loans, that they fufilled there obligaton by paying the finance company. Is there any "clause" that states that since it was her fault(Farmers) that they should have a default that could get him financing thru one of there partners, at the interest that he was paying before he at fault driver (farmers) totaled his car? Seems like the quote "made whole again" should apply, Not making excuses about his credit situation, but he wouldnt be in this position if (farmers) hadnt hit him, so put him where he was before , including financing...thats life...any ideas? Thanks Sean
  • rroyce10rroyce10 Member Posts: 9,332
    ..**the problem is his credit has seriously declined**

     

     .. **that they fulfilled there obligation by paying the finance company** ..

     

                    You asked, and answered your own question in one short paragraph .... well, I dunno about the short part ................ ;)

     

                               Terry.
  • sfosfo Member Posts: 3
    My 2002 honda civic EX sedan was hit the other day while it was parked. The car that hit it rode up on the front driver side tire somehow and ended up flipped in the road (the folks inside were OK). My civic ended up undrivable with the front suspension completely messed up. There is a major dent on the front driver side door and another on the panel where above the wheel. The passenger side front tire was smashed into the curb and the rims look bent. The entire front side of the car seems a bit offset as well.

     

    So I had it towed to my autobody shop, and State Farm (the other driver's insurance company) came down and took a look at it. They called me the other day and told me they were sending me a check for about $3000 along with a cover letter.

     

    It seems low to me given the amount of damage done on the car and the labor costs involved.

     

    In the meantime, I want to get another estimate and I will not authorize any bodywork nor will I deposit their check. Do the experts here think I'm getting screwed?

     

    Thanks

    SFO
  • rickvhrickvh Member Posts: 28
    You should check the laws governing insurance carriers in your state. In Arizona, insureds have the right to use any repair shop of their choice to repair their vehicle. Additionally the law states the insurer must notify the claimant of their right to choose their own facility.

     

    Not sure if by SFO you mean the Bay Area, if thats the case this link should help:

     

    http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/calawquery?codesection=ins&- codebody=auto&hits=20

     

    California has a similar law from what I saw skimming over the articles that the insurer cannot require claimant to use any specific repair facility.

     

    Hope this helps,

     

    Rick
  • user777user777 Member Posts: 3,341
    seems to me, the SF rep has to provide an itemized estimate, including parts, labor and materials which they used to come to that figure. I believe SF has to use original OEM parts. Did your autobody shop have any say in what was going to go into the repair?

     

    also, since you believe the front side of your vehicle looks "offset", one wonders if they need to put the vehicle up on a lift and determine if the vehicle's structural members have been bent.

     

    i wonder what others would think about having the car taken to a Honda dealership to have it looked over.

     

    finally, i'm not sure if and how it applies but since your vehicle has been involved in an accident now, hasn't it's value depreciated, even if it's restored functionally and cosmetically? I think that's "deminished value".

     

    did you talk this over with your agent (i presume not SF)?
  • sfosfo Member Posts: 3
    SF says they have a cover letter and a check in the mail for approx. 3k.

     

    But yes I want an itemized list on what will be covered, because there could be some discrepancies with what, exactly, they're fixing. For instance, the passenger side tire got smushed into the curb and there was damage on the rim and the hubcap.

     

    I'm definitely going to get another estimate, and I will request they check out the frame.

     

    My own insurance agent told me that diminished value really only applies to luxury vehicles...

     

    Can anyone give me an estimate on how much OEM front suspension parts should cost?

     

    Thanks for the advice!
  • luvzmuttluvzmutt Member Posts: 1
    My husband was driving my car yesterday with a person who was test driving a vehicle from a local dealership. The accident was her fault. My husband has a witness to the accident. She sped into a double-lined road from a side street. He swerved to avoid her, but hit her head-on on the drivers side of the car. My car (2004 Chrysler Pacifica) was a mess. All the airbags deployed, and as they went to put it on the tow bed the front bumper fell off, also the radiator fluid was all over the ground. Fortunately no one was hurt. The woman driving was very lucky, she has her 7 year old daughter sitting in the front seat, and her husband and salesman in the back

     

    We know she has insurance, and contacted her insurance company and the dealers insurance company yesterday. The question I have is who is liable for damages to my car and paying for a rental car while it is being repaired? My husband wants the car totaled because it will never drive the same again. The car was less than a year old and had 15K miles on it. If the car is totaled, do I have any recourse with the dealer to have them replace the car?
Sign In or Register to comment.