Hello. Has anyone found a way around the policy by insurers where they simple total the car rather than have it fixed? We have two older vehicles with low mileage and in excellent condition. A woman rear ended me and I am 0% per cent at fault. I simply want the bumper fixed. Both insurance companies told me the repair would be more than the value of the car so they want to declare it totaled. I have not received a value yet. They said if I keep the car I would receive a “Salvage Title” which would affect the sale of the vehicle. I do not plan on selling either car. Other than fix it myself, any other ideas? Thanks in advance and thanks to all who responded to my USAA question
Insurance adjuster for 40 years here.
The insurance companies owe either the cost of repairs plus diminished value becase the car has an accident history that will effect it’s trade in value or the value of the vehicle less salvage value.
Their position is correct.
You may keep the car, sell the salvage your self or repair it.
You will receive a salve title if you keep the car.
You don’t really have any choice. You can let them know your preference is to have the vehicle repaired vs totaling it out. If the numbers are close either way they may honor your wishes, but it’s unlikely.
I bought my son a Jeep that had a salvage title. After two years he got rear ended. Fairly minor accident but they totaled out the vehicle. I got $500 more from the other drivers insurance company than I paid for the vehicle. You may be pleasantly surprised by their offer.
If you don’t plan on selling, the salvage title is moot. I would try to fix it yourself, get a bumper from a junkyard.
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My Honda Civic, 2008, was hit manyl years ago. I asked the insurance adjuster to repair the car rather than totaling it. She agreed to repair the vehicle stating, “it was close”.
I have heard of totaling and buying the car back. Keep in mind that insurance companies are basically crooks.
With all the high tech in cars nowadays the insurance companies are inclined to “total” a car, even if it’s newer.
Off the top of my cheap head couldn’t you try for some kind of inconvenience cash settlement from the offenders insurance company and get the car fixed “good enough”? If it’s one of those plastic bumpers I’ve had good luck popping them back out from inside. Otherwise a used bumper installed by a Shade Tree Mechanic with a Rattle Can paint job.
Gives the car some character.
When I had that happen, I was lucky. The person at fault took care of the repairs so my car was not totaled.
Thx for the reply. Since the car is a very good condition other than the damage, I will file a claim in magistrate court. I will also file a claim with the driver’s insurance. I don’t know why they don’t offer to pay some damages rather than an all or nothing approach. I guess it is for their convenience and not my damage
More and more people seem to be walking away from horrendous crashes in newer cars since the cars are designed to take most of the forces of a crash. It works great in a major crash, but sometimes even minor accidents can do enough damage to the ‘crumple zones’ that it really is more expensive to fix it that the car is worth.
Always appreciate you sharing your expertise from the industry. Is there a scenario where the OP could take the payout from the insurance company and then offer to buy the car back if the salvage value is less than the payout ? It seems like the OP wants the car and it also seems like in every scenario a Salvage Title would be the end result. Maybe an arbitrage play here?
I’ve only had one car totaled but we got a check for the value of the car. My ex brother in law had a Honda del Sol that was totaled and I an pretty sure that they gave him a check and he didn’t have to ‘buy the car back from a salvager…he got a salvage title and had the car repaired using the payout money. Again, that was a while back, but I’m pretty sure that’s how it worked.
I am wondering if the OP has had a shop look at it to give him an idea of what repairs would cost.
Once you have settled the lesion laws flame with the carrier with an agreement that the insured will keep the salvage the insured can dispose of the salvage in any legal manner.
This includes selling the salvage to the OP.