crash
Let us know how the repairs go. It will be interesting to see if they are able to restore it to it's original condition.
#23
11-05-2008 | 07:22 PM
Thread Starter
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Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 37
From: St. Louis
nobody seems to understand why they won't total it with the price of damage. the repair shop mgr said they don't want to total it because it's worth so much. What in the hell does that mean? It's only a 16,000 car! The damage is over half the value of the car. I'm confused. Is he saying that the market value is way over the new car price?
#24
11-05-2008 | 07:58 PM
Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 376
From: Marietta, GA
you are better off if it's totalled. insurance company just want to pay as little as they can. the repair shop wants to make as much as they can from repairing. they are the ones making the decisions. i am really sorry about your loss.
#27
11-06-2008 | 02:20 AM
Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 69
From: Jakarta, Indonesia
You should fight for it.
Tell your insurance company that this is a BRAND NEW CAR. It is not even two months old. You should get your money back and get it totalled. If the shop they appointed to does not want to do it, bring it somewhere who will (just bring the picture, it should be enough to convince them), pay the tow to bring it there and charge it back to your insurance co.
No matter how they look at it, the chassis has shifted because of the impact. Your title should be salvage right now because of the extensive damage. If your insurance still does not want to do it, tell them that you don't want their business anymore, tell all your friends and family that their business is stink and you will file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau for malpractice.
That should do it
Tell your insurance company that this is a BRAND NEW CAR. It is not even two months old. You should get your money back and get it totalled. If the shop they appointed to does not want to do it, bring it somewhere who will (just bring the picture, it should be enough to convince them), pay the tow to bring it there and charge it back to your insurance co.
No matter how they look at it, the chassis has shifted because of the impact. Your title should be salvage right now because of the extensive damage. If your insurance still does not want to do it, tell them that you don't want their business anymore, tell all your friends and family that their business is stink and you will file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau for malpractice.
That should do it
#28
11-06-2008 | 07:12 AM
Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 577
From: NJ
That's why I wonder which insurance company he has. Also why is the body shop determining if it should be totaled or not?... It should be an independent adjuster from the insurance company that determines the extent of the damage, not the body shop.
#29
11-06-2008 | 07:50 AM
Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 364
From: baltimore, md
Sorry, you can talk to the insurance till you're blue in the mouth, but if the vehicle can be legitimately repaired (even if the cost approaches 75% of replacement value), they won't total it.
The shop may have done the initial estimate. The insurance company has the final say, and they adjust the independent shop's per/hour prices on body and paint, and they claim an insurance company discount on parts.
Taking your car to another shop is a waste of time. Your insurance company will pull all the strings in the end.
You may consider taking the hit up front after it's repaired and trade-in, or you can wait to see how the repairs go. Either way, you have been financially harmed due to the diminished value of the vehicle, and there's no easy way out of that.
If the damages were closer to $12-13K, you'd be much closer to a total loss. In fact, with 30 or more days rental coverage, you'd be getting close. Unfortunately, insurance companies don't always think logically, and hardly ever think of how they hurt their insured with these practices.
The shop may have done the initial estimate. The insurance company has the final say, and they adjust the independent shop's per/hour prices on body and paint, and they claim an insurance company discount on parts.
Taking your car to another shop is a waste of time. Your insurance company will pull all the strings in the end.
You may consider taking the hit up front after it's repaired and trade-in, or you can wait to see how the repairs go. Either way, you have been financially harmed due to the diminished value of the vehicle, and there's no easy way out of that.
If the damages were closer to $12-13K, you'd be much closer to a total loss. In fact, with 30 or more days rental coverage, you'd be getting close. Unfortunately, insurance companies don't always think logically, and hardly ever think of how they hurt their insured with these practices.
#32
11-06-2008 | 10:11 AM
Thread Starter
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Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 37
From: St. Louis
I have state farm insurance. The actual adjustor looked at the car in the tow yard and was on the fence with totalling it. I was informed by the insurance that the body shop affiliated with the dealership from whom I purchased the car was a 'select' shop, meaning that they trust what their estimates are. ultimately the insurance company is in business to serve itself, and not the insured. most people have been telling me that when the damage totals half the value of the car, they total it. i don't know who to believe.
#33
11-06-2008 | 10:16 AM
How about this?
If I were you, and my insurance company refused to total it, I would tell them I will total it myself.
Take their cheapass check for $XXX, sell the car as salvage and take the proceeds to buy a new Fit. If you have gap insurance then that should kick in too.
Finally, I would take my business elsewhere and tell everyone I knew about their ripoff.
And yes, I would sue that scumbag that hit me!
Take their cheapass check for $XXX, sell the car as salvage and take the proceeds to buy a new Fit. If you have gap insurance then that should kick in too.
Finally, I would take my business elsewhere and tell everyone I knew about their ripoff.
And yes, I would sue that scumbag that hit me!
#36
11-06-2008 | 07:33 PM
Thread Starter
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Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 37
From: St. Louis
I called my insurance this morning bitching about the whole thing and bringing up some of the advice given by you guys. The claims guy on the phone informed me that in Missouri, it isn't declared a total loss until the damage is 80% of the value. He told me the value of the car was the actual sticker price that I paid (which is fine with me) $16,700. So the damage would have to be right at $13,000.00. So far, the damage is $9,332.00. But the suspension up front is destroyed so that will probably be a bitch. Goddammit.
#37
11-07-2008 | 01:46 AM
Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 69
From: Jakarta, Indonesia
I have state farm insurance. The actual adjustor looked at the car in the tow yard and was on the fence with totalling it. I was informed by the insurance that the body shop affiliated with the dealership from whom I purchased the car was a 'select' shop, meaning that they trust what their estimates are. ultimately the insurance company is in business to serve itself, and not the insured. most people have been telling me that when the damage totals half the value of the car, they total it. i don't know who to believe.
Oh yeah, I would be contacting a lawyer by now that your insurance company is moving towards refusing to compensate your brand new car.
Last edited by R35553H; 11-07-2008 at 01:48 AM.
#38
11-07-2008 | 02:15 AM
Sorry to say but
-That Fit wont be, feel or look the same as it did. After an accident i had recently(theres a thread w/pics) i only hit a sidewalk with one wheel and damaged the whole rear suspension mayor components. And, the Fit's going back to repair tomorrow because the front is acting funny, must be after that accident which barely had anything to do with that part.
-Insurance have deals with bodyshops/mechanics so they can have money flow between the two. So yeah, where's the gains and economy on totaling a brand new car?
this kind of crap happens, and i wish the best for you. Not them. Thats why i always try to screw them by sending a higher estimate..
-That Fit wont be, feel or look the same as it did. After an accident i had recently(theres a thread w/pics) i only hit a sidewalk with one wheel and damaged the whole rear suspension mayor components. And, the Fit's going back to repair tomorrow because the front is acting funny, must be after that accident which barely had anything to do with that part.
-Insurance have deals with bodyshops/mechanics so they can have money flow between the two. So yeah, where's the gains and economy on totaling a brand new car?
this kind of crap happens, and i wish the best for you. Not them. Thats why i always try to screw them by sending a higher estimate..
#39
11-07-2008 | 08:23 AM
New Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 18
From: White House, TN
Warranty isn't cancelled unless the car has been totaled and has a salvage title. You won't have a salvage title unless the car was totaled and repaired. Now, if you have issues from the repair, they won't be covered under warranty though...