Insurance totaled my car for no reason :(
 

Ok so I was driving back with a friend from the local target and I came up to this light to make a left turn. I was the second person in line for the turn and in front of me was a 2003 Dodge Neon. Well I always leave space between cars just in case someone hits me from behind or I need to move out of the way quickly. So I left about 5 feet of space between the back of his car and the front of mine. Well he was "apparently" over the white line at the stop light and proceeded to put it in reverse and back up. He didn't have his foot on the brake and full force floored it into me. Tire screech and all. his car was fine except for a dented bumper. And mine had 2 broken headlights a bolt going through my hood and a broken/bent grille. I assume its because these cars are lower to the ground. I meticulously take care of this car down to every maintenance schedule. Well he ended up getting reckless driving and 2 points on his license...which he got 3 weeks prior. Now his insurance company came to asses the damage and said its totaled they'll send a check in the mail. I got an estimate for 3,200 bucks and they said no. I want to keep it no question about it. But what do you guys think. I just hit 122,000 miles. Worth the fix? It won't let me down load the pictures ill have to put them on tomorrow

I'm not entirely surprised. The ACV on my XJR, for instance, is about $2500

I assume the estimate included used parts to keep the price down?

Cheers
DD

Wow, that's super low. I just ran a book on your car (assumed 165k miles for 0 mile add/deduct) and got $2800 wholesale with retail in mid 5's. I'd say, depending on condition and mileage your car should be between $4k and $5k.

Boeingtravel, it sounds like you may have front structural damage. You do have a choice to retain your car. Insurance company will be basing retention value of your car on results from salvage auctions. Good or bad, the value for our cars at these auctions has been just above the 'floor of the basement' meaning you maybe able to retain your car for not much$$. Although you should fight them on the ACV. Do a lot of research on classifieds, KBB, edmunds, etc. use ads that would build alum of your car.

In my experience, KBB "Wholesale" and "ACV" from insurance companies typically run very close to each other....and quite some distance from "retail" :)

Apparently the insurance company in this case feels the ACV on Boeing's Jag is something less than $3200......probably in the $2800 range you mentioned.

As a matter of fact I've been meaning to check what comp and collision coverage is costing me. It might be time to cancel on my '95.

Cheers
DD

Doug:
I suspect you will be royally screwed if it comes to making any sort of insurance claim considering the pristine condition I believe your car is in!

I don't have comp and collision on my 96 XJR. I've own it for 2 years and that would have add $1200 per year to the insurance premium. Knowing any little bump, any insurance company would total the car due to it's high repair bill and low retail value.

One more year will be a $3600 savings and the break even point. Insurance is all about risk. I'm gambling that just one more year and I will be ahead of the money game.

The insurance company ( amica insurance group) gave me a price of 4,000 dollars plus they said I can keep the car for 200 bucks so in reality I got 3,800.

Not a bad offer, in reality.

If' the damage is limited to just bolt-on parts you can DIY (using carefully shopped used parts) and then just pay a body shop for paint work

You might come out ahead!

You'll end up with a branded title but that's not the end of the world

Cheers


DD

Were it not for the front being peppered with rock chips it could probably be called pristine, yes.

Knowing I'd get screwed is all the more reason to cancel the coverage.

Cheers
DD

Yeah, not a bad deal. However, you can try to bump them by doing some due diligence. Look at advertisements for similar cars in your area. Also, take into account taxes and registration. Print out those ads that help your cause and send it to Amica. Insurance company may take certain repairs into consideration such as recent engine or transmission rebuild. Some insurance companies will take full brake service or new tires into account. Must have receipts. As it stands, you can get your car fixed an still be $600 ahead.

So now the insurance company has wrote a check for 4,257.97 and says I don't have to total the car because its older than 8 years old. And believe me I double checked to make sure that's right. I can get it fixed for cheap too. I think this couldn't of gone any better under the circumstances

Sounds good!

Usually these stories have a less-happy ending :)

Cheers
DD

Sounds pretty good to me.

I'd be mighty tempted to follow your cheapish repair and immediately sell it on.

This plus the extra cash from the insurance could move you up a few models.

I have a spare set of 4 fluted headlights with 3m rock film already on $200 for all 4 shipped. Plus a whole front end avail too pm me if interested