my car was recently hit and needs and new front bumper, fender, headlight, and hood. the total damage comes to 3500 but the insurance company thinks there is more damage then what is visable in my past experiences of taking a car after it has been damaged have not been good ones. i also know that my car will not be worth what it was before the accident. can i refuse to have my car fixed and make the insurance company total it out? how can i make it so i dont end up driving a car that has been wrecked? can i make the insurance company pay me what its worth and they keep the car
2007-02-13 12:30:06 · 8 answers · asked by michael l 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Insurance & Registration
You can ABSOLUTELY NOT tell them to total the car.
They owe you for the cost of repairs or the actual cash value of your vehicle- nothing more, nothing less.
The only option you can take is to take the money for repairs... put it towards a new car.. and sell your car as is.
Dont waste your time or money trying to fight this.. youll be disapointed. and i really hope no one tells u to get a lawyer.
2007-02-13 13:13:23 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
You can not "make" the insurance company total out your car. If it's repairable, they will either repair it or cash you out on your damages--your call. If it's a total, they'll settle with you for the actual cash value of the vehicle. Unfortunately, without a tear down it's too early to tell what the status of the vehicle is--once torn down, the full extent of the damage will be known & the insurance company and body shop will advise you of the status.
If it's repaired, you can always sell it or trade it in.
2007-02-13 23:29:57 · answer #2 · answered by bundysmom 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Insurance companies will NOT total a vehicle just because you want them to. If you are so worried about driving a vehicle that has been 'violated' then repair it and sell it (or cash-out and sell it 'as-is'), provided you don't have a lein on it. The insurance company doesn't want your car anymore than you do and no amount of crying or posturing will change their minds. The only way it 'totals' is if cost of repairs exceed the value or a set percentage of the actual cash calue (ACV). Your best option is to have it repaired at the best collision repair shop in your area. A quality repairer will bring the vehicle as near to factory/pre-loss condition as possible with no ill effects from the loss.
2007-02-13 23:22:18 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't know how motor insurance works in your country but as an insurance claims executive based in an Asian country, our motor policy dictates that only the insurance company can decide on how best to settle a claim to their policyholder because a motor policy is based on the principle of indemnity which means that you can't make a profit out of it. If the insurance company finds that the cost of repair is close to the market value of your vehicle, then they might consider to treat your vehicle as a total loss because it is not worth the hassle to repair your vehicle. But if the vehicle can be repaired, then no, they will not consider the total loss option. HOWEVER....nothing is actually fix here, there is really no hard and fast rule...as people always say, rules are made by people and people are supposed to be flexible. If you really INSIST that you DO NOT want your vehicle anymore (justification must be good here), you could negotiate a settlement with your insurance company. Afterall, our whole existence depends on customers really and we will listen and try to settle claims to the best of customer's satisfaction. Good Luck.
2007-02-13 23:07:59 · answer #4 · answered by Skystryfe 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
All depends on the insrance company. Highly doubtfull that you will be able to do that though. Take it to a shop that has a lifetime guarantee on the repairs, and also giver out loner cars. That is the only thing you can do.
2007-02-13 20:34:43 · answer #5 · answered by paulgarrison20002000 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can work with them, but it will be a major hassle. If its close to being totaled they might go ahead and do it, thats where the invisible damage comes in.
You could always get it fixed and sell it.
2007-02-13 20:36:50 · answer #6 · answered by piemat 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
IF somebody ran into you and their insurance is paying, get it fixed, insist on $500 depreciation, and trade it in, simple.
They aren't going to total a $10000 dollar car.
2007-02-13 22:06:54 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, but you can sell it and get whatever turns you on after it's fixed.
2007-02-13 20:52:30 · answer #8 · answered by oklatom 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋