89 Ford Taurus, and SUV and the insurance compabny, oh my - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Pellaz · 07-17-2003, 12:02 PM

I need some advice here, if anyone can. My car was parked last week, and some idiot decided to park in an illegal zone, rush in, rush out and back out withough looking. Tore into my headlight, bumper and hood. They had full coverage, luckily, or so I thought. Went to the body shop today and had the damage appraised. Est at around $2100 us. Which apparently totals out the car. The kelly blue book site isn't working for me but another site looks to value my car between $1200 and $1500. car has 101000 miles on it. So, on with the questions:

Are there any downsides that I might not be aware of to having my car totaled out?

How much bargining power do I have and how do I excercise it when talking to the insurance company?

I'm really at a loss here, never having dealt with anything like this before. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

drawerfixer · 07-17-2003, 01:20 PM

Ouch. Tough break, Pellaz. Sorry to hear it.

*shakes angry fist at all SUV drivers*

To tell the truth, I've only been in one accident, and it was my fault. However, I'd go to your insurance agent and talk it over. I come from a small town, and thus am on a first name basis with the agent. If you have trust in your man, I'd just have a conversation with him... I don't know if big city insurance agencies are different, so perhaps that isn't the best choice for you. Either way, hopefully someone else can give you the perfect advice, and good luck!

Ashton · 07-17-2003, 01:40 PM

Well, the insurance company isn't going to fix a car that has a higher repair cost than what the car is worth...... depending on how bad the damage is you could just agree to let them total it as long as you can keep the car too, they probally will because it isn't worth much parted out.... then cash the check and buy the parts you need from a junkyard, sounds to me like all you really need is a headlight..... if you don't mind a scuffed hood and bumper.

Sion · 07-17-2003, 10:08 PM

as I understand the insurance laws here in Ohio (and they vary from state to state, so look into it in your state) the choice of whether to total the car is NOT up to the insurance company. if it was YOUR ins. company and you had backed into a telephone pole, for example, it would be another story. but since their client damaged your property, they have to repair or replace the car to YOUR satisfaction. If you would rather keep the car and have it repaired, then that is your choice. If you've wanted to replace the car anyway, then take their settlement, but DO NOT take their first offer. Remember, it is an insurance company and they will always try to screw you. Look at it this way: their client did $2100 of damage to your car. So, they owe you $2100. It really is that simple. The value of the car is irrelevant, because they dont carry the policy on the car, your ins. co. does. A friend I work with just went through this exact same thing last fall. He told them where to go and in the end, he got the car repaired, because they would not give him enough otherwise to replace the car with something in similar shape/condition.

remember, as the aggrieved person in this case, the other guy's ins company has to satisfy YOU. Be firm. Be willing to bring in a lawyer if necessary. They want you to sign off on their bullshit deal asap. This is NEVER a good idea. The longer you stand firm, the more $$ it costs them. Stand firm and come out ahead.

as for Ashtons suggestion that you take a deal that includes you keeping the "totaled" car, that's not a bad idea. but be aware of this: afterwards your car will have a "salvaged" title, which will lower its possible resale value. if you just want to get it fixed and keep driving it, no problem, but whenever you try to sell it, you wont get as much for it.

as for what I would do in your situation, well, I'd need more info on the car. but probably I'd make the ins co a deal:

$2100 straight up, they keep the car

or

$1500 and YOU keep the car. chances are good that you could get the damage repaired for under $800 (if you know a good mechanic who does work on the side, or you do the work yourself, and if you have a connection who can get you the parts at a reasonable price.)

because I could do the work myself, and I know where to get parts cheaply, I'd take the second option and would probably profit about $500-$700 on the deal.

Pellaz · 07-18-2003, 08:05 AM

Thanks everyone for all your help, was very nice to get some input on the situation. Got a call this morning from them, and after a couple rounds with a very condescending insurance agent ("This is what we are going to do." period. "Do you have any questions?" "Oh, well, that should be obvious." And possibly her favorite response-"Well, we're not discussing that") Gave up and asked for contact info for their legal dept. Which, apparently, they refuse to give out. Which led me to talk to her manager, who fairly quickly agreed to a check of 1968.81, which worked for me. Can probably even make a little profit on it, if I shop around. Just wish I could do even a portion of the work myself, but I'm lost in that dept, so oh well. Thanks again guys. Cheers.

Sion · 07-18-2003, 09:16 AM

Pellaz, so you got the cash AND the car, right? good deal

Ill bet if you ask around, you can find someone with the mechanical ability to do the work cheap. Hell, if you live in central Ohio, pm me and maybe we can work something out.

89transam · 07-18-2003, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pellaz
agreed to a check of 1968.81, which worked for me. Can probably even make a little profit on it, if I shop around. Just wish I could do even a portion of the work myself, but I'm lost in that dept, so oh well. Thanks again guys. Cheers.

Nice, same thing happened to me (in a taurus none the less), I was rear ended by a lifted blazer. Needless to say he diddent have a scratch and the whole trunk area was crumpled in, big estimates from body shops .

Basically we settled like you did, and offered the settlement to a good body shop to fix the car, they agreed to fix it even though it was less than they origonally said it would cost.

I think alot of the time they just estimate a bunch of money cause the insurance company will pay it,but when it comes down to it they could do the job for alot less.

Jonsgirl · 07-19-2003, 10:56 AM

Hey, If you're ever in Missouri, I think i could get my father to fix it for ya. He knows his way around cars and he's great at finding salvage parts.

07-17-2003, 12:02 PM	#1 (permalink)
Pellaz Addict Location: Texas	89 Ford Taurus, and SUV and the insurance compabny, oh my I need some advice here, if anyone can. My car was parked last week, and some idiot decided to park in an illegal zone, rush in, rush out and back out withough looking. Tore into my headlight, bumper and hood. They had full coverage, luckily, or so I thought. Went to the body shop today and had the damage appraised. Est at around $2100 us. Which apparently totals out the car. The kelly blue book site isn't working for me but another site looks to value my car between $1200 and $1500. car has 101000 miles on it. So, on with the questions: Are there any downsides that I might not be aware of to having my car totaled out? How much bargining power do I have and how do I excercise it when talking to the insurance company? I'm really at a loss here, never having dealt with anything like this before. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

07-17-2003, 01:20 PM	#2 (permalink)
drawerfixer Stonerific Location: Colorado	Ouch. Tough break, Pellaz. Sorry to hear it. shakes angry fist at all SUV drivers To tell the truth, I've only been in one accident, and it was my fault. However, I'd go to your insurance agent and talk it over. I come from a small town, and thus am on a first name basis with the agent. If you have trust in your man, I'd just have a conversation with him... I don't know if big city insurance agencies are different, so perhaps that isn't the best choice for you. Either way, hopefully someone else can give you the perfect advice, and good luck! __________________ They that can give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. - Benjamin Franklin

07-17-2003, 10:08 PM	#4 (permalink)
Sion Dumb all over...a little ugly on the side Location: In the room where the giant fire puffer works, and the torture never stops.	as I understand the insurance laws here in Ohio (and they vary from state to state, so look into it in your state) the choice of whether to total the car is NOT up to the insurance company. if it was YOUR ins. company and you had backed into a telephone pole, for example, it would be another story. but since their client damaged your property, they have to repair or replace the car to YOUR satisfaction. If you would rather keep the car and have it repaired, then that is your choice. If you've wanted to replace the car anyway, then take their settlement, but DO NOT take their first offer. Remember, it is an insurance company and they will always try to screw you. Look at it this way: their client did $2100 of damage to your car. So, they owe you $2100. It really is that simple. The value of the car is irrelevant, because they dont carry the policy on the car, your ins. co. does. A friend I work with just went through this exact same thing last fall. He told them where to go and in the end, he got the car repaired, because they would not give him enough otherwise to replace the car with something in similar shape/condition. remember, as the aggrieved person in this case, the other guy's ins company has to satisfy YOU. Be firm. Be willing to bring in a lawyer if necessary. They want you to sign off on their bullshit deal asap. This is NEVER a good idea. The longer you stand firm, the more $$ it costs them. Stand firm and come out ahead. as for Ashtons suggestion that you take a deal that includes you keeping the "totaled" car, that's not a bad idea. but be aware of this: afterwards your car will have a "salvaged" title, which will lower its possible resale value. if you just want to get it fixed and keep driving it, no problem, but whenever you try to sell it, you wont get as much for it. as for what I would do in your situation, well, I'd need more info on the car. but probably I'd make the ins co a deal: $2100 straight up, they keep the car or $1500 and YOU keep the car. chances are good that you could get the damage repaired for under $800 (if you know a good mechanic who does work on the side, or you do the work yourself, and if you have a connection who can get you the parts at a reasonable price.) because I could do the work myself, and I know where to get parts cheaply, I'd take the second option and would probably profit about $500-$700 on the deal. __________________ He's the best, of course, of all the worst. Some wrong been done, he done it first. -fz I jus' want ta thank you...falettinme...be mice elf...agin...

07-18-2003, 08:05 AM	#5 (permalink)
Pellaz Addict Location: Texas	Thanks everyone for all your help, was very nice to get some input on the situation. Got a call this morning from them, and after a couple rounds with a very condescending insurance agent ("This is what we are going to do." period. "Do you have any questions?" "Oh, well, that should be obvious." And possibly her favorite response-"Well, we're not discussing that") Gave up and asked for contact info for their legal dept. Which, apparently, they refuse to give out. Which led me to talk to her manager, who fairly quickly agreed to a check of 1968.81, which worked for me. Can probably even make a little profit on it, if I shop around. Just wish I could do even a portion of the work myself, but I'm lost in that dept, so oh well. Thanks again guys. Cheers. __________________ " ' Big Mouth. Remember it took three of you to kill me. A god, a boy, and, last and least, a hero.' "

07-18-2003, 09:16 AM	#6 (permalink)
Sion Dumb all over...a little ugly on the side Location: In the room where the giant fire puffer works, and the torture never stops.	Pellaz, so you got the cash AND the car, right? good deal Ill bet if you ask around, you can find someone with the mechanical ability to do the work cheap. Hell, if you live in central Ohio, pm me and maybe we can work something out. __________________ He's the best, of course, of all the worst. Some wrong been done, he done it first. -fz I jus' want ta thank you...falettinme...be mice elf...agin...

07-17-2003, 01:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
Ashton PORNHOUND Location: California	Well, the insurance company isn't going to fix a car that has a higher repair cost than what the car is worth...... depending on how bad the damage is you could just agree to let them total it as long as you can keep the car too, they probally will because it isn't worth much parted out.... then cash the check and buy the parts you need from a junkyard, sounds to me like all you really need is a headlight..... if you don't mind a scuffed hood and bumper.

07-19-2003, 10:56 AM	#8 (permalink)
Jonsgirl Semi-Atomic Location: Home.	Hey, If you're ever in Missouri, I think i could get my father to fix it for ya. He knows his way around cars and he's great at finding salvage parts. __________________ Someday, someone will best me. But it won't be today, and it won't be you.