When my last 95 Lincoln mark8 was totaled The insurance company has their set prices by those charts, they offered me $1800, but producing copys of recent repair receipts ie complete motor and tyranny rebuild, new tires and breaks, suspension work, and paint job, they brought my settlement to $5500. As I had about $7400 in just receipts. I had to take their offer, I was not in a position to buy a lawyer who would take a third of any settlement....

 

I'm so sad for your loss...

There should still be plenty of XKR's waiting for you to take home. Start searching...

 

Thanks for your posts. I have to say, it is quite reassuring to find out that I am not the only one who has driven into another - it really does undermine one's confidence. Your kind thoughts are much appreciated.

But while I mourn this one, my attentions have gone elsewhere: have a look at my post 'The Jag is Dead Long Live the Jag to see quite how fickle I am.

OK, roundabouts: I give up with you lot. Just buy a Hummer and do your own thing on them.

 

sorry but that isnt a £14k repair, no way. Someone is pulling the wool, especially the chassis twist, you can tell by the fit of the doors that the frame is straight. Just a light front end , nothing more

 

Ah well. Nothing to be done now - someone will have made a profit. Another point is that if it were to be repaired it would have been a cat D vehicle, hence signficantly lowered in value. The independent Jag dealers who have maintained the car since purchase felt that it was beyond economical repair, too.

 

Half of them already have it seems

 

I'm looking to hire my neighbor who drives an F450, double cab, long bed, dually, 4x4 (6x6?) King Ranch that is 23 ft long and weights 8600 lbs to clear the roundabouts as I come through town.

With that truck you would think he tows a trailer or works in the trades. Nope he's a middle school teacher. I guess F150s are for girls now.

 

In the USA "total losses" are specially treated by insurance companies, some even having total loss departments (USAA). Insurance companies largely disdain Kelly Blue Book valuations claiming a separate appraisal company (forget the name), which is used exclusively by insurance companies. The loss appraisal estimates are considerably less. In my instance (Hyundai Genesis V8) I was initially offered $25 K when KBB valuation was well in excess of $30K.
Discovered there was an arbitration provision legislated into my insurance policy. It took a bit of digging around auto dealerships to find an independent appraiser to represent me. Cost was $500, reimbursable if I won the arbitration by any amount in excess of $1 over insurer's original offer. We proceeded. The arbitration award was to be determined by actual retail sales valuations, not KBB or otherwise. Insurance company was required to hire an independent appraiser here in Oregon where I live, even though the accident took place in North Dakota. My appraiser had trouble finding comperable sales as very few Hyundai Genesis are made/sold. I helped him out by providing copies of ever single Genesis advertised in Autotrader and Cars.com. My advertised sale prices were about $33K. We settled for $31K and USAA reimbursed me for the $500 spent on the appraiser.
My point is that few of us are ever faced with a total loss. Total losses are treated differently than partial losses in USA, and each state had different twists on insurance laws. It doesn't require a lawyer to puzzle out consumer protection provisions. First read your policy. Then inquire your state Insurance Commisioner's Office. Be persistent.