Hello All,
I unfortunately had a crash a few days ago, and I am expecting my insurance company to total my car. It's a 2023 F Type P450 Coupe. To say that I am devastated is an understatement. My car sustained heavy damage to the front left after another car collided with me.
Can anyone offer any advice as to how I could avoid losing my car? Can I contact Jaguar to repair it? Is there any hope at all of saving it?
Thank You.

 

Don't know it you're UK based or not, thought so from your username, but in which case the insurance company might let you buy the written off car for a small percentage of it's market value. You could then have it repaired - write offs are frequently ok if repaired properly but too expensive to warrant repairing. Only thing is, when you resell the car, you will have to declare it's written off category which makes it hard to sell.

 

Just because it looks bad does not necessarily make it a write-off.
Body shops can do amazing work.
Biggest challenge may be getting parts from JLR, though if you are in UK that might help.
Definitely worth pushing for insurance to repair rather than taking a major haircut on the "used" value.

 

I'm going to suggest the opposite approach - push for it to be totaled. For an extensive repair, you're apt to be without the car for 6 months, it will be older/depreciated further and flagged as wrecked at the end. If they DO decide it can be repaired, be sure to push for diminished value. The car won't ever be worth the same amount after a wreck/repair. Talk to the insurance company about that before a final repair determination is made. Also, find a good local appraiser who can help you determine the amount. In advance, they'll probably only give you advice, but, if the car is repaired, they can give you a formal appraisal. It will cost you a couple of hundred, but worth thousands.

If the insurance company does total the car, it's true they will give you a haircut vs what you paid for the car. But it's only a year old and they should offer you enough to cover the cost of a matching replacement. You can then decide if you want to make up the difference for a new car, or shop for a reasonable replacement. Remember, the insurance company's initial offer isn't their final offer. Get some comps from premium sellers (dealers, cars.com, BAT, or equivalent sites in the UK, if that's where you are).

If the car is, indeed, totaled, buying it from the insurance company could be an interesting "project," if you're up for it. Even then, it's going to take a while, and there is the possibility of hidden damage (part of why insurance companies lean to total). There's no guarantee that you'll come out ahead, so approach it as a project, not an investment. You can also think about parting the car out.

 

Thank you for the responses. I am actually in Houston, Texas in the US.

With regards to the value of my car going down, I'm not bothered. I love my car and would quite happily keep it forever. More than anything, I just want it back.

 

I'm in collision repair. If they want to total it, let them as long as you're compensated well, which you should be.

 

Why do you say that? If the car can be repaired, is it not worth trying?

 

Let me ask you this, why would you want it back if the damages are that bad? Being a 2023, you should be able to source one in the same spec. I only advise this because if it’s close to totaling now, it’s more than likely that the repair facility will run into more damages and costs during the repair process. With advanced crash and safety systems on cars, a shop really can’t give a total repair cost until the vehicle is complete and ready for pickup. Accurate estimates before repairs begin are becoming a thing of the past.

 

Forever in the car world is a year or two [maybe three]!

In any case, good luck!!

 

I am likely allowing my emotions to dictate my decisions atm. I really do love the car. I won't likely find another car just like mine, and the new 2024's have some differences that I don't like.
Are you saying that whatever repair cost (if it is not totaled) that the insurance company gives me could be too low? If the cost they give me ends up going up, does the insurance company then adjust their number and still pay it? Or am I out of pocket on that amount and on my own?

 

If you don't have gap covereage, you need to make up the difference.

 

If they're not going to total the car, make sure you have an estimate from a shop YOU trust. Not everyone is skilled at working with aluminum, and not everyone does good painting/matching. You want OEM parts that the insurance company may/may not offer. Some insurance companies will come up with a low estimate, but guarantee that they'll cover overruns - IF you use THEIR approved shop. The insurance company may accept your quote, but if something extra comes up during the repair, the shop will have to work with the insurer to negotiate additional payment. In fairness, you can't expect the insurance company to just sign up for "whatever," but it's worth checking with your shop to get their input on how reasonable the insurance company is to deal with. My guy has some definitive views and has been known to refuse a job on that basis.

 

Ok. Thank you all for the advice. It is much appreciated. I expect to find out if it is totaled next week.

I've already ordered a framed photo of my car, and I've reached out to some custom model makers to commission a custom model of my car. At the very worst, at least I'll have those.

 

It all depends on what is really damaged.
Body panels and paint can be fixed pretty well by a decent shop, so you would not be able to tell.
Major mechanical damage may be another issue. The there is the delay in getting JLR parts.
It really is trade-off.
An insurance write-off will likely leave you short $20K on a "new" car.
You will not find a similar car for the short funds - check out the prices.
Any loss of value from the repair will become less of an issue the longer you keep the car.
Ultimately, the insurance company will make the decision, not you.
As for buying back a junked car to repair yourself, good luck with that,

 

Probably obvious, but don't forget sales tax and registration fees.

 

I mean if the damage is quite bad that you are thinking it might get totalled then if I was you I wouldn't want it fixed. That will be on the car proof and forever impact the value significantly. Higher the accident higher the impact on value. So I personally wouldn't be looking to not have it totalled for these reasons. At least that's how it works for us in NA. For example, I recently got my F Type R and really wanted a SVR which was available also but had a 20K claim. Pricing wasn't dramatically different and had it not been the claim I would have gotten the SVR. But the 20K accident claim on it made me go in the other direction.

 

Without saying that during the crash, the car could have developed mechanical issues that aren't detected at time of diagnostics/ repair, that doubt will affect considerable the resale value and/or affect your wallet in a later stage. It's sad but sometimes is best to just let it go and get another.

 

Considering how vague the OP was about the actual damage, it would be good to see some photos.

 

I didn't take any photos of the damage. When I saw it at the tow yard afterwards, the front end is pretty smashed up. The driver's side door does not open and close properly. I can imagine the engine is well beyond repair. I remember it smoking after the accident. The interior and the back end of the car seemed fine. The glove compartment wouldn't open though.

 

If the engine it toast you need to let her go...