buickanddeere
Super Member
In my personal experience and from other person's reports. Once a vehicle has been "seriously hit". It will never be "right".
Car Totaled have Question
- Thread starter hunterridgefarm
- Start date
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Dr_Zinj
Veteran Member
Kelly Blue book puts the maximum value at about $5800 for the car. New one will cost about $19500.
Take the $7300 the insurance company is offering. That's what they say it would cost to repair the car back to operational condition. Obviously that is more than the car is worth. And most people don't know that with cars currently being designed to crumple in accidents to save the driver and passengers, you're never going to restore one to the same level of safety after an accident. You're 37% of the way to the cost of a new car, or you can use that to buy a used one without accident damage. I did a quartering hit with my sedan this winter. 10 years old, 130,000 miles. Insurance wrote it off as a total also and I got nearly $3000 more than the KBB value to go buy a new pickup.
Take the $7300 the insurance company is offering. That's what they say it would cost to repair the car back to operational condition. Obviously that is more than the car is worth. And most people don't know that with cars currently being designed to crumple in accidents to save the driver and passengers, you're never going to restore one to the same level of safety after an accident. You're 37% of the way to the cost of a new car, or you can use that to buy a used one without accident damage. I did a quartering hit with my sedan this winter. 10 years old, 130,000 miles. Insurance wrote it off as a total also and I got nearly $3000 more than the KBB value to go buy a new pickup.
dmccarty
Super Star Member
When we were hit a few years ago, the insurance company paid more than a fair price which really surprised us.
Did it compensate us for having to go buy a new car? No, but it did help with the purchase.
Frankly, just be thankful your son is ok. My wife has had two surgeries as a result of the accident and we are having to sue the insurance company. They offered to pay about 8% of the medical bills when they should be paying 150%. The accident was not our fault yet we are the ones left holding the scat. I wish all that accident had cost us was a bit of time and money for a new car, that would have been so much cheaper...
Later,
Dan
Did it compensate us for having to go buy a new car? No, but it did help with the purchase.
Frankly, just be thankful your son is ok. My wife has had two surgeries as a result of the accident and we are having to sue the insurance company. They offered to pay about 8% of the medical bills when they should be paying 150%. The accident was not our fault yet we are the ones left holding the scat. I wish all that accident had cost us was a bit of time and money for a new car, that would have been so much cheaper...
Later,
Dan
The Fred
Veteran Member
I work on lots of Subarus, get out of the car and find another because the strength of the uni body has been compromised. Yes they are an ok car but hardly safe compared to Volvos and other European cars. I don't care what the highway safety institute says simply wash your hands of it.
Mistake on your part sir: NEVER sign off on an accident until everything is done. Your son's soreness was your way out. You are so honest (not a bad trait) that the insurance company will use this against you. They will low ball you until you cave. Hospital and health bills are WAY more expensive than any car repairs and the insurance company doesn't want to pay any more than they have to. Once they lowball you and decide not to pay your added expenses you simply tell them your son has some pain in his back and they pay your added expenses. You told them he was fine, oh well now you pay your own added expenses. You're too kind in a dog eat dog world.
Also almost every body shop will use junk Chinese parts on your vehicle because that's all the insurance company will pay for. Visit virtually all of the OEM vehicle websites and you will see a disclaimer that any aftermarket parts used on your vehicle void any warranty with them that you had. Insurance companies suck and you are about to find out why; thus the reason we don't give them too much information about your son's health, that was your wild card.
I have a friend who's F-350 got rear ended by someone else and their insurance company would NOT pay for a new bumper or tailgate because it was already dented, even though it wasn't his fault they denied payment. He called me and asked me about it and I told him to tell the adjuster his back hurt and he might be going to the doctor, they paid for a new gate and bumper then no questions asked.
You're about to be taken to the cleaners....hang on! These companies save money by low balling you I see it with virtually EVERY auto insurance claim that comes through my shop.
A friend joined one of those prepaid family legal places for a few hundred bucks a year and they really go to bat for him. He's on the go and gets speeding tickets they have fought every one for him and won them all.
Under all my BS I'm a pretty honest guy myself although you wouldn't think so by some of my posts.
Fred
It's so cold here this morning the lawyers have their hands in THEIR OWN pockets :cold:
Mistake on your part sir: NEVER sign off on an accident until everything is done. Your son's soreness was your way out. You are so honest (not a bad trait) that the insurance company will use this against you. They will low ball you until you cave. Hospital and health bills are WAY more expensive than any car repairs and the insurance company doesn't want to pay any more than they have to. Once they lowball you and decide not to pay your added expenses you simply tell them your son has some pain in his back and they pay your added expenses. You told them he was fine, oh well now you pay your own added expenses. You're too kind in a dog eat dog world.
Also almost every body shop will use junk Chinese parts on your vehicle because that's all the insurance company will pay for. Visit virtually all of the OEM vehicle websites and you will see a disclaimer that any aftermarket parts used on your vehicle void any warranty with them that you had. Insurance companies suck and you are about to find out why; thus the reason we don't give them too much information about your son's health, that was your wild card.
I have a friend who's F-350 got rear ended by someone else and their insurance company would NOT pay for a new bumper or tailgate because it was already dented, even though it wasn't his fault they denied payment. He called me and asked me about it and I told him to tell the adjuster his back hurt and he might be going to the doctor, they paid for a new gate and bumper then no questions asked.
You're about to be taken to the cleaners....hang on! These companies save money by low balling you I see it with virtually EVERY auto insurance claim that comes through my shop.
A friend joined one of those prepaid family legal places for a few hundred bucks a year and they really go to bat for him. He's on the go and gets speeding tickets they have fought every one for him and won them all.
Under all my BS I'm a pretty honest guy myself although you wouldn't think so by some of my posts.
Fred
It's so cold here this morning the lawyers have their hands in THEIR OWN pockets :cold:
rsallen
Platinum Member
LOL.
At last there's an up side to the cold.
Still laughing,
Mind if I use that line?
At last there's an up side to the cold.
Still laughing,
Mind if I use that line?
tallyho8
Elite Member
- Joined
- Aug 1, 2004
- Messages
- 4,532
- Tractor
- Kubota L4400, Kubota ZD326
That reminds me. Back in 2001 a man ran into my 1995 Ford F250 front bumper and Geico insurance had it replaced with a bumper that was not OEM, probably foreign. They said it would have a lifetime guarantee from the Ford dealer who installed it.
I still have the truck, in excellent condition, except the front bumper is rusted although the original rear bumper is like brand new.
I went back to the dealer to see about getting it replaced under the "lifetime warranty" but they said no, that dealership was sold and they are a new dealership with a slight variation in the corporate name. The warranty no longer applies.
I still have the truck, in excellent condition, except the front bumper is rusted although the original rear bumper is like brand new.
I went back to the dealer to see about getting it replaced under the "lifetime warranty" but they said no, that dealership was sold and they are a new dealership with a slight variation in the corporate name. The warranty no longer applies.
rsallen
Platinum Member
Yeah much like the retirement plans at those kind of owners.
Sounds like the lawyers need some cold weather.
Sounds like the lawyers need some cold weather.
hawkeye08
Elite Member
A good attorney is well worth their fees in any injury auto accident. My daughter was hit (other driver was cited) and the other guys insurance was being a jerk, demanding our daughter give a recorded statement and bullying her. We called an attorney that a business consultant referred us to. He advised our daughter and was on the call when she was ready to give statement. When the insurance company started bullying her, he spoke up and put them in their place. She did not have time to go the doctor and chiropractor (her words, not mine). The car (Fiero) had rear quarter damage and the wheel was bent, insurance company totaled it, tried to low ball us on the value and I met with the adjuster and went over the car in detail, he doubled the offer, let us buy it back. We got a cancelled title in mail from DMV. Our daughter drove my wife's car for a year while I procrastinated on fixing her car.. finally fixed it (planned on replacing panels and painting it, but my source of parts was questionable and state patrol inspection required receipts and VIN from parts car). I rebuilt the qtr panel with fiberglass and painted it. I called state patrol for inspection and they told me since I was the original owner and fixed it myself that I could get a new title for it without inspection. The title was clean (not rebuilt or salvage). Several years later we donated the car to the local mission and daughter got a different car...
Long story, sorry, but the short answer is a lawyer is a good idea. Lawyer said if my daughter had gone to doctor and chiropractor, he could have gotten us twice as much.
Long story, sorry, but the short answer is a lawyer is a good idea. Lawyer said if my daughter had gone to doctor and chiropractor, he could have gotten us twice as much.
OP
hunterridgefarm
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Jul 12, 2005
- Messages
- 2,117
- Location
- Western NC
- Tractor
- Kubota L3130DT, Kubota L185DT, JD LX277
Hello Fred,
I enjoy reading your threads and post on TBN.
Concerning this, I have never signed off on anything and only gave the adjuster information he needed. I have some past experience with insurance companies.
Truth is my son was not hurt, was not sore, so I see no reason the abuse the system. I think that is one of the reasons insurance is so high, people abusing the system trying to get as much as they can...for free.
From the research I have done the offer was for the high end of the NADA, Kelly Blue Book value of the car. I just thought I should get something for my time. According to NC law, which I researched and talked to a friend who is an attorney, they paid what they were required. We should settle next week.
As far as being "too kind" well you are right I have been called that before. I think kindness and honesty is a good trait to have and I try to sat an example for my son. Even though I do believe honest people usually come in last.
The Fred
Veteran Member
Hello Fred,
I enjoy reading your threads and post on TBN.
Concerning this, I have never signed off on anything and only gave the adjuster information he needed. I have some past experience with insurance companies.
Truth is my son was not hurt, was not sore, so I see no reason the abuse the system. I think that is one of the reasons insurance is so high, people abusing the system trying to get as much as they can...for free.
From the research I have done the offer was for the high end of the NADA, Kelly Blue Book value of the car. I just thought I should get something for my time. According to NC law, which I researched and talked to a friend who is an attorney, they paid what they were required. We should settle next week.
As far as being "too kind" well you are right I have been called that before. I think kindness and honesty is a good trait to have and I try to sat an example for my son. Even though I do believe honest people usually come in last.
I'm sorry if I insulted you or sound rough.
I get very upset at the negotiating process these insurance companies use. The adjuster's job is to keep costs down for the company. I do repairs not bodywork. In our state bodyshops get $45 dollars an hour as a set labor rate per some kind of agreement they all have with the insurance companies. The mechanical labor rate in our state is not fixed so if we do say a radiator swap for an insurance job we would get our regular rate at the time allowed by the vehicle manufacturer. Every new car manufacturer has a labor guide that these jobs entail in time units.
When the adjuster comes in and looks at a job they are the ones telling us what the job pays in hours and the parts involved. Many times they also source the parts for us (most of the time cheaper aftermarket or good used parts), now keep in mind we still must provide a warranty on our work to the consumer and at the end of the day we must make our profit margin so we can afford the luxurious lifestyle we live, example given my new Kubota tractor I didn't need to plow the driveway. It's up to me to make sure I can provide this service and keep my margin and not cave to the insurance industry who are the ones in the end who are keeping costs down for the shareholders.
Imagine if you will if your son had been hurt (thankfully he didn't) and an insurance adjuster calls on the caregiver, doctor what have you to negotiate the hospital's price down so that the shareholder's of said insurance company stay happy. Now I have seen relatively new cars with very few miles come to me from body shops for mechanical work (programming or issues UN-resolved because the body shop tech couldn't figure something out because his boss gets $45 dollars per hour (not the $90 he should be getting) and he get's paid $12 because that's all his boss can afford to pay his help as the insurance company negotiated their price to rock bottom already. ALL of these jobs I see have Chinese aftermarket parts instead of the FACTORY NEW OEM PART THAT CAME ON YOUR NEW VEHICLE.
Now imagine your son with a healing leg with a metal rod installed in his femur that was made in China manufactured from substandard mild steel metal and not surgical stainless steel that a human body requires. Price negotiated down by an insurance company adjuster, maybe the same one who tried low balling you.
I'm no Perry Mason but I rest my case. Good luck with the outcome in the end I'm sure it will be fine. Keep us posted I'd like to hear the final results. I'm glad your son is fine.
Regards, Fred