I hit a deer recently. The car damage was $15,000. The car is only valued at $18,000. Can I push the company to just write me a check, or do I have to accept the repairs?
2007-07-19 03:53:05 · 10 answers · asked by therover4 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Insurance
Insurance companies total a car when the cost to repair the car exceeds the cost of replacing the car based on the replacement cost (price of a used car like the one you wrecked).
No you can't really push them to total a car, normally people are hoping they don't total a car as it usually is better for the people not to have a car totaled.
In your case when there is only 3,000 difference you could simply take the payoff money from the insurance, sell your car to a salvage yard and use the money to get another car. (this assumes you don't owe money on the car if you do you'll have to use the 15,000 from the insurance to pay that off and can keep the rest.)
You don't have to fix a car when the insurance pays for a wreck you can always pocket the money and do with it as you see fit.
2007-07-19 03:59:41 · answer #1 · answered by IG64 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I'm not sure what you are asking, so I'll try to answer both ways. First, the insurance company will send you a check--it's up to you whether you want to get repairs or if you'd rather sell what's left of your car and keep the insurance money and get something else.
If you are asking if there is a way you can get them to total it and send you a check for $18,000, that could be tricky. I knew a guy who had to fight an insurance company because he was in your situation, and found that it had another $5000 damage to it. They wouldn't total it until the other damage was found, and then when it was found they still felt the value of the car was their limit of liability, after encouraging him against his judgment to fix the car. So after he spent the big check, he had to go back and tell them about the other damage, and they didn't want to pay for all of it. (I left the job with that coworker before I found out how it all worked out, but I doubt it was good.)
2007-07-19 04:01:25 · answer #2 · answered by wayfaroutthere 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It varies by state. Some states will total a car out as low as 80% of AVC. Some want 90% or 95%. If your damages really ARE 83%, and you're not lowballing the value, I'd imagine when they start taking it apart, they'll find more damage, and end up totalling the car.
Ask your agent to intercede on your behalf on that basis, to push the adjuster to total the car. Well, unless you OWE more than the ACV, in which case you're better off with the repairs.
2007-07-19 05:02:17 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A car is totaled when the value of the car is less than the cost to repair the vehicle. If your car damage was 15,000 and the car is valued at 18k they will not total it. Depending on your insurance provider and state, and whether or not you are still making payments on the vehicle, you may get a check to do as you wish with or they may force you to have the car repaired and pay the repair facility directly, less any deductible you have.
2007-07-19 03:59:56 · answer #4 · answered by JWesseldyke 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
When a car is written off by the insurance company they will then pay out to you what the current market value of the car is. Hence if you want to look at it one way they have then bought the car off you. You can choose to hold on to the car, obviously that would effect the amount they pay out though. It's best to just let them take it & accept their cheque. A lot less complicated & you could get in to legal issues driving around a car which has been classed as a write off.
2016-05-17 09:46:34 · answer #5 · answered by loren 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You cannot force them to either repair the car or declare the car totalled. They will choose the least expensive route. They will typically total a car when the repair costs are 80% or more of the fair market value of the vehicle or if it can be determined that the vehicle cannot be made safe to drive.
2007-07-19 04:01:48 · answer #6 · answered by Sane 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When the damage amount exceeds about 75% of the value of the car it will be totaled. So in your case it will probably be totaled.
2007-07-19 03:55:42 · answer #7 · answered by czwtrpolo2 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
This would be a ? my dad would know. I would just ask for a check and if they say no then you will have to take the repairs or be without a car.
2007-07-19 03:56:34 · answer #8 · answered by Miss Angalz 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
As I understand ' totaled ' , they just payout the low-end of blue book and classify the car DOA , no longer insurable .
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2007-07-19 03:57:43 · answer #9 · answered by kate 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
you have to accept whatever the company decides!!
2007-07-19 03:55:47 · answer #10 · answered by mythbusters 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋