I love snow! My car is totaled What do I do now?

[DRH1175]

Well today coming home. A young 20 yr old driver spun out and hit me head on. It is a 2003 Corolla That I have owned outright for a few years. What do I do to get the max for my car?

[Spearing Machine]

I totaled my 2003 Honda Accord a couple years ago on spring break when I hydroplaned on some sloppy snow and wrapped the rear end around a wooden power pole. I however wasn't involved with anyone else so this may be a bit different. But It took about a week after the car was taken from the scence of the accident for the insurance company to get me the estimate and "totaled" word to me. I took the option of the cash value of a like car in my area. Got a good deal on the car when I got it a year previous so I didn't loose a dime after the insurance paid out and then went and picked up a 2006 fusion.

So I'd wait and listen what the insurance has to say and either take the chance on a repair of the vehicle from a shop of their choosing or take the cash and run. Just my .02.

[deadeye]

Do a little research and find some of the same model year vehicles in your area at dealers and print them out for your insurance Guy. The trick is to find the most expensive ones that are equivalent to what you got.

Then wait and see what they want two give you for your car BEFORE you pull those dealer quotes out (In case they give you more than what you found for prices). If they try to lowball you then you can pull those printouts out and say what they are giving you is a little low and your able to show them what you found.

They tend to try and lowball you and give you the least amount that they can so try to be prepared for that.

[bassmann77]

I totaled my truck two years ago when a 17 year old kid ran a stop sign. You will have two options. First option is to wait for the other persons insurance to make you an offer, or you can have your own insurance company make you an offer. Whatever you choose, make sure that they give you a copy of the CCC form. It is a form that will give you the places the insurance company looked to find the value of your car. The insurance company low balled my truck by $2500. I looked at the CCC form and they got the value for my truck in places like Mankato, Rochester, and LaCrosse. I live in the Cities. There is a big difference in prices depending on the area. Good Luck and remember that kids insurance has to give you a rental car until you settle with them. Let me know if you have any more questions.

[DRH1175]

So when can i expect this rental car? I need a car to get to work tomorrow. I am gonna fight for the most I can get for my car.

[Jeremy airjer W]

What you think the car is worth and what the car is actually worth are to different things. If they total it they only have to give the replacement value of the car. If you have investments in the car like stereo equipment, wheels, new tires, new motor than you can arrange to either remove those items (stereo/wheels) or buy the car from the insurance company and part it out. If you can do the work yourself parting out can be profitable depending on what the buyout is. It can also take a long time and a lot of effort to recover you expenses and turn a profit.

[bassmann77]

Call their insurance company and ask them where they have a rental contract with. All you should have to do is go there and get a car and have them charge the insurance company. Do not give them your credit card. Everything should go to their insurance. You should be able to call them today (use their 1-800#) and find out and get a car today or first thing Monday morning.

[DRH1175]

I called their ins company this morning and started a claim. They said I can get a car as soon as their policy holder assumes liability for the accident.

They said I could get a car sooner if I want and they will reimburse up to $25 a day. since the cheapest car I can find is $30 I guess I will wait. I have an extra car so I will go that route. Can I get any money for all the bruies I have? I am not injured so to speak. But I have some serious bruising from the belt and air bag.

[bassmann77]

We did get some money, but my wife had a bad knee injury and the hospital bills got to a point where a settlement was available only for her. I had a good looking hickey mark from the seatbelt and a pretty sore arm from grabbing the steering wheel hard before the impact. You can always try though. Give yourself a few days for everything to come to light in regards to the injuries. But remember that you made it out of what could have been a really bad accident without any serious injuries. The $25 a day is standard, and I would get on the guys case to call it in to his insurance company. The quicker that gets done, the sooner you will get money for your car.

[delcecchi]

Isn't Minnesota a no fault state, with respect to injuries? so your insurance pays for medical for you up to some amount and you don't get to sue until medical exceeds some amount?

Just checked. Looks like 4000 dollars of medical or some other conditions. Otherwise you get the benefits defined in the Minnesota No Fault Insurance law.

The car and other property is not part of the no fault stuff, only injury.

[bucketmouth64]

Any injuries should be taken care of with your auto. My stepdaughter totaled my truck and her mom's insurance covers her medical bills under her policy. My suggestion is to get to a chiropracter and you'll be surprised what things get out of whack with your body. If you need a name of a good one I can help you there. I believe insurance keeps the medical claim open for couple of years, but you'll have to check with your own insurance.

[DRH1175]

Thanks,

I heard back from the kids insurance company they took a recorded statement from me. they told me when I rent the car to get their rate, which I did and that as soon as they hear back from the insured they will take over the bill for the rental car and cover any incurred charges that I have. Thanks for all input. I have a pretty realistic value of what I have found at auto dealers for my car. Hopefully without too much hagling we can get to that price and I can move on.

[jwhjr]

I went through a totaled vehicle about a month and a half ago when my wife was in an accident. I just did some research on how they come up with the value when totaled and did my homework. The initial offer from the insurance company was higher than what I was expecting based on similar vehicles for sale in the area. We were more than happy with what we ended up receiving for the value.

[DRH1175]

So if the initial offer was higher than you expected did you take it? Or were you able to get a few more dollars? I think I will be getting my offer very soon. I am nervous on what they will offer.

[jwhjr]

I took it as it was more than fair based on the research I had done (and quite honestly was higher than I expected).

[Whoaru99]

I called their ins company this morning and started a claim. They said I can get a car as soon as their policy holder assumes liability for the accident.

They said I could get a car sooner if I want and they will reimburse up to $25 a day. since the cheapest car I can find is $30 I guess I will wait. I have an extra car so I will go that route. Can I get any money for all the bruies I have? I am not injured so to speak. But I have some serious bruising from the belt and air bag.

Well, if you're going to try to milk them for some extra cash I probably would refrain from posting that you don't really have any problems and such on the internet.

About the car, sometimes it takes a while to get it staightened out if you're going to hold out for max value. Their interest it to pay the least possible amount. Hold out and fight if you want max value, but time is generally on their side as you're the one who is inconvenienced, not them. Do you have the time (and patience) to hold out? Having a second car helps a lot. Some people are really in a bind if they have only one vehicle.

Afaik, once you take a settlement for injuries, the car, or whatever, it's case closed.

[DRH1175]

Whoaru99, I have no intentions on Milking them for money not sure where you got that from. I have learned that MN is a no fault injury state. So if you are injured no matter who's fault the accident was you have to file that claim on your own policy. I am not injured other than bruises and I am lucky for that. I am not fileing a claim for any of those. I have a price that I am realistic about after doing some research for my car. If they meet that price on the first offer I really don't see why I wouldn't take it. Just nervous about the process and trying to get input. My insurance agent told me to find a price that I feel is acceptable and to hold my ground. Any input from those who have gone through this is helpful for me. Thanks for all the coments on this topic.

[Whoaru99]

Well, I thought I read something about trying to get more than an already reasonable/high offer, then about some compensation for brusing but (apparently) no injuries requiring medical attention.

My apologies if I misunderstood what you really meant.

[DRH1175]

Whoaru99,

No harm done. I can see why you would think that as our society is so dang sue happy it is sick. I am a reasonable person. I just want a fair replacement settlement. I have heard so many horror stories about how insurance companied can be a bear to work with. we will see. I expect to see a offer for my car, very shortly. Thanks for all input everyone.

[DRH1175]

Well I got my offer yesterday afternoon. He offered $6900 plus tax of $400 and title fees of $30. The nada book puts my car at $7400 I know it is only $500 but it is $500 hard earned dollars. But he tried to tell me my car had prior damage that he had to subtract $500. I have no clue what prior damage my car had there was no damage when I had the car. He right away told me if I didn't like his offer I could go through my own insurance company. But he can't go any higher. So question is do I just take it to just be done. The cheapest simular car I can find is around $7400 but most are around $7900 He right away told me that on hsolist I could find them cheaper. I tell ya this is worse than buying a car. At least when you are buying a car you can get up and walk out. They have my car at their facility and hold all the cards.

[Macgyver55]

Its been a long time (1997) since I've had to deal with an insurance company. At that time, our car was totaled by a kid doing a left turn in front of me in a 55mph zone. It was towed to the body shop of a friend. The insurance company sent their adjuster out who looked it over and determined it was totaled. He mentioned (unknowingly) to my buddy that it was " a shame" because the car was "so clean" for its age. They then proceeded to offer me 2950 dollars for it saying it was in average condition with average miles and gave me some comparables nearby that I could buy for that amount. (It was a 1990 model year) They also told me that was their best offer. I quickly refused and told them that I believed the car was in above average condition, and that I had put new tires on it less than 2 months prior and had the receipt. I also pointed out that their comparables were from 11 to 20 thousand miles more and in worse condition than my car, and informed them of what the adjuster had said to the body shop. I also told them I would gladly take the issue to court if necessary. Somehow, they soon came up with a new offer of 4650 dollars. (Which I accepted) This being the book value of the same model in excellent condition, plus the full price of the tires.

I have no proof, but my own belief is that they expect a certain percentage of people to just roll over and take whatever they offer and not question it. I'm not saying you should try to scam anyone, but if you believe that they are not offering a fair amount, tell them so and make them prove the prior damage and show you where you can get a replacement of equal condition. You have nothing to lose but some time.

[311Hemi]

Is that from average or high NADA value? Either way, I don't think I would be satisfied, especially if I could not buy the same car with the amount they gave you.

Did you find out what the $500 worth of damage was, if not I would do that first and make the prove to you that it was there before the accident. Sounds like the normal talk saying "he can't go any higher"......but I have never had to deal with this situation so that's just my take on it.

[DRH1175]

I had no luck with them. I guess I should have just paid my deductable and gone thru my ins company to begin with. They are going off of what the blue book says. He said because I have more miles than what the comparible cars out there have they will not match that. I am working with the other drivers insurance. He told me point blank I either take his offer or I can just deal with my own ins company. What an experience!

[Macgyver55]

. He told me point blank I either take his offer or I can just deal with my own ins company. What an experience!

Tell him he can deal with you reasonably now, or in court later. If there driver was at fault, I believe they are responsible for your loss. Sending their counsel to court is far more costly to them than paying you the small difference you feel you should get. Problem is, if you threaten it, you need to back it up. If you dont have the time, then you can go through your insurance, who will in turn go after his. If they win, you will be reimbursed for any extra they get,(your deductible) but they are more concerned in getting their portion back than yours.

[311Hemi]

What does KBB put your car at.....what he offered? I do believe most places go by

KBB vs NADA.......at least in my experiences. I would certainly take that into consideration, and not jsut look at NADA if it's showing a higher value.

Did they tell you what the $500 in damage was?

Can you find a comparable car on the list for what they offered you....including miles?