The car is a 12 year old Honda Accord. It has 180k miles. It has been well treated and is in good condition and I expected to get another 3 years out of it. A guy ran into me on the passenger side and dented the door and fender. The back closes a little funny now so there might be some minor frame damage, but it drives fine with no detectable problem even at highway speeds.
2 Questions:
1. The title now says that the car has been totaled, so it is not like I could sell it for much. Any prediction on how much it might be worth if I sell it?
2. What are issues if I keep driving this car? Will insurance companies insure a totaled car? Are there liability issues if I get into an accident driving a totaled car? I can afford another car, it is just that I like this car and am feeling cheap.
Thanks
2006-12-09 11:07:29 · 13 answers · asked by Cogswellia 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Insurance & Registration
If you made settlement with the insurance, did they give it back to you. It's perfectly legal if you can pass inspection, and the insurance company won't care if you just get liability. As to the title, I would call the DMV after I got the insurance and inspection. It is an excellent used car. Good Luck!
2006-12-09 11:16:00 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
As for the damage, check with the adjuster or whomever did the actual estimate. It sounds like safety would not be an issue for driving it. When a car is considered totalled by an insurance company, it is because the amount of money needed to repair the vehicle exceeds a percentage of the value of the car. (Unless it is a rollover or damage that is obviously extensive) You could realistically have a vehicle that would be easy to repair but the value of the car isn't that much. With yours being 12 years old and having very high mileage it would take very little to total it.
The worth of the vehicle, even repaired, would probably not be much at all. Financially, you may be better off parting it out. Check with your insurance company regarding their policy on insuring a totaled car. I'm sure there is a regulation about it but it could also vary from company to company.
Usually, when an insurance company totals a vehicle, they will issue you a check for the book value of it. You do have the option of buying it back for a certain percentage and then having it fixed. If you really like the car, it doesn't sound like it would present a safety issue if you kept it. But get a couple of estimates on the damage to be sure. And also keep in mind that while the damage may appear to be minimal, once repairs are started and the damaged area is torn down, there is the possibility of further damage that wouldn't be seen during an estimate.
2006-12-09 11:39:27 · answer #2 · answered by carseattech 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was T-boned in an accident and my car was totalled. What that means it will cost more to fix the car then what the Kelly blue book says it is worth.
My car was still driveable and my insurance company continued to insure it while I drove it. I drove it for at least 8 months since the accident and it was insured. All from the same insurance company.
After awhile I traded it in on something else and the car dealer gave me much more than it was worth on the trade.
As long as it's driveable they will still insure it. Like I said when a car is deemed totalled it means it will cost more to fix then what the car is worth. That's all. You can keep driving it, trade it on something else, or sell outright or for parts.
2006-12-09 13:17:18 · answer #3 · answered by vanillabeancheesecake37 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Did they actually allow you to keep possession of the vehicle? Usually the insurance company owns it after they total it, and take it away for salvage value.
The laws of various states differ as regards salvage titles. Some states consider them junk titles, and allow the vehicle to be used for parts only but will not allow it to be tagged or driven on the roads. Other states have a separate Junk title for that, and allow a salvage titled vehicle to be rebuilt, inspected and then put back on the road after you get your certificate of road worthiness. Check the laws in your state.
As far as worth, unknown. If someone is looking for parts they might buy it. Insurance should have no problems if it's declared fit for road use in insuring it.
2006-12-09 11:59:22 · answer #4 · answered by oklatom 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
1) Sell the car for parts. Better off trading it in.
2) Insurance companies won't insure a totaled vehicle. You can buy it back from the insurance company and have it repaired. You then have to get a 'reconstructed' title for it.
Don't be cheap.....get another car. There are more Honda Accords there.
2006-12-09 11:10:11 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
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No, there is no agreement without your signature and payment. They are using the collection agency to try to bully you into paying. Tell the collection agency the situation and let them know they are free to take you to court if they wish because you are confident that the law is firmly on your side. You may even want to contact Farmers again and tell them that if they don't call off the dogs you will report them to the Better Business Bureau and the State Insurance Regulator in your state. Hopefully, they will back down. It is such a shame that people act this way in their lust for profit. Hang in there.
2016-04-04 08:19:44 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have a mechanic take a look at and see what is wrong underneath. Then if you decide to keep it you will probably have to have it inspected, usually by the state highway patrol. If the insurance company paid you for the car then put the money in the bank and continue to drive it.
2006-12-09 11:24:42 · answer #7 · answered by ohio_mike 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Usually, when they pay off a totaled vehicle, the ins company gets the title and has the right to sell it to salvage yards. You might be able to buy it and fix it up yourself. Check with the ins company to see if they will insure it again after the repairs.
2006-12-09 12:59:55 · answer #8 · answered by Dave 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your car is gone you could keep driving it but if it was me I would let the insurance company have it and get something with less miles and let it go man. No telling what other damage is there that you can't see
2006-12-09 11:13:38 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
T get precise correct answers to your questions you really need to contact and ask a insurance agent-call your insurance agency for am sure you have insurance on the car-since Insurance is the agents's business can best inform you.
2006-12-09 12:57:54 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋