I live in AL. I recently purchased a 07 dodge charger about 3 months ago. This past weekend I was in an accident (rear ended by an un-insured driver). The estimate for the damages is $7201.00. The car will never be the same and I probably will not feel the same about the car because it will never be like new again. My question is can I request my insurance to total the car since it's so new and no one is sure of the problems in the future?
2007-09-27 17:44:38 · 8 answers · asked by don h 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Insurance & Registration
Your only hope is the fact that car is less than a year old. SOME (not all) insurance companies advertise that they will replace a car less than a year old if wrecked. Ask your insurance company if they are one of them.
The estimate for the damages is about 1/3 of the cost of the same car new depending on the deal you can make. Therefore, if your insurance company is not one of the ones I mentioned above, the odds are they are going to only offer to fix it.
Talk to your friends and people you trust to know about cars. Find out who is most expensive and best at such repairs. You want the most expensive estimates you can find. Tell the estimator that it is an insurance estimate. That said, you want a company with a strong reputation for doing the job right the first time. That is far more important.
By the way, talk to the repair center you like. Many of the better ones advertise that you do not have to accept the insurance company estimate. Ask them how that works.
2007-09-27 21:48:53 · answer #1 · answered by Jeff H 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Those who say it's not your choice is right. It's not. I find it extremely difficult to believe THAT is your estimate to be quite honest, but whatever. I haven't seen it.
Keep in mind - if they total it and you still owe a few grand in interest without gap insurance - YOU are responsible for that, not your insurance company. They give you what THEY think the car is worth. Feeling the same about it or not that's the risk you take when you choose to drive/buy a vehicle.
2007-10-01 14:43:09 · answer #2 · answered by sk832405 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry but it isn't up to you. The determination for write-off is based solely on the cost to repair as a percentage of the actual cash value of the car, and has nothing to do with feelings. If they believe it is more economical to repair the car, they repair the car. If it is properly repaired, the value is restored. If you do not wish to keep the car after that, you are free to sell it.
2007-09-27 19:26:29 · answer #3 · answered by Fred C 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Generally, they won't total the car unless the cost of repair is equal to or greater than the current value of the car. Unfortunately, that doesn't sound like the case in your situation.
Sorry for your misfortune.
2007-09-27 18:12:46 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That amount does not sound anywhere near the retail/resale value of the vehicle. I can't see them "totaling" the car. Make sure your repairs are done by a shop that guarantees repairs and bodywork. In this case, I would have it repaired by a Dealer and demand OEM parts.
2007-09-28 04:14:01 · answer #5 · answered by sensible_man 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The insurance company won't total on your request, you will have to go after the other driver, your car will lose about 5000.00 after repairs because it will show large amount of damage on a car fax report.
2007-09-27 19:02:07 · answer #6 · answered by Henry G 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Certainly you should voice your concerns with them. You can always make a request.
If you really meant to ask if you could get them to comply with your request, then I don't think so.
2007-09-27 17:58:18 · answer #7 · answered by Firebird 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it works like that if it's fixable. You may want to sell it if it gets fixed.
2007-09-27 17:58:19 · answer #8 · answered by done wrenching 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋