Totaled!!Advice needed

sandman · 05-26-2005, 06:54 PM

Wife got nailed today by a guy making a illegal turn.Insurance man came out and said its totaled!We still owe $1,500 on it,Bought it in "99" brand new for $26k.The other insurance company wants to give us $10k.I can't find a comparable rig for 10k.Any advice would help.

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SLEDDER · 05-26-2005, 06:59 PM

Why do they call this totaled?

reelfine · 05-26-2005, 07:02 PM

usually you can negotiate with the insurance company. If you can find proof that the car is worth more than 10K (like blue book, market value, etc...) then you might be able to get a little more out of them. My brother totaled his car and ended up negotiating with the insurance company for $2500 more.

Most of the time, they bet on the fact that you want to settle fast. It may not be a lot more, but every little bit helps.

Sorry to hear about your car. Ideally, you would get enough out of it to be able to purchase a similar vehicle.

1pump · 05-26-2005, 07:20 PM

Ouch! Looks like totaled to me as well. :depressed:

I'd agree that they're trying to get you to settle fast. You should call in the morning and tell them your wife is really stiff and sore and can barely move. Make them sweat instead of you.

sandman · 05-26-2005, 07:24 PM

It bent the frame sledder.My wife did wake up this morning with a sore neck.

Chromaflage · 05-26-2005, 07:28 PM

Find similar vehicles in the AutoTrader, Nickel Ads, Oregonian, etc. to see what the advertised price is. They use some mathematical formula to determine payoff value. But if you present information that shows that the actual value is more than they're offering, you can usually squeak a bit more out of them.

Nothing against the "people" who work for insurance companies, but keep in mind that they are in business to make money and often will do anything within legal boundaries to pay out as little as possible. I can feel the heat from the flaming already, but based on my experience with insurance companies, this seems to be the norm.

CrF

baltz526 · 05-26-2005, 07:33 PM

i would go to the local dodge dealer and have them find you a 99 with the same milage, and get the real replacement cost then tell the guys ins company that is how much it will take to settle

burnsfactor · 05-26-2005, 08:12 PM

Sandman, Don't settle tell your wife is back to normal. They will want you to settle as fast as you can. Don't. Pain, suffering, It's time you get some of that money back from the insurance company!!! Sorry about the wreck, Just be glad the wife is still alive....

sandman · 05-26-2005, 08:26 PM

I was really lucky,She was taking the kids to school(9,10).They were frazzled but ok.

burnsfactor · 05-26-2005, 08:29 PM

Man, you did luck out. I'm glad everything is ok.

Reelentless · 05-26-2005, 08:30 PM

Quote:

I was really lucky,She was taking the kids to school(9,10).They were frazzled but ok.

Thats all that's important. Glad to hear everyone is ok.

Good advice above. Do some research and find out what the vehicle is worth. The number they gave you is negotiable. My sister just went through a similar situation and she got about 50% more than what they originally offered.

larryb · 05-26-2005, 08:31 PM

had that happen to me told the insurence to just buy me a replacement same year same miles they give me more money

Chromaflage · 05-26-2005, 08:32 PM

There are two distinctly separate claims - one for the vehicle and one for medical. the vehicle usually gets settled first, then the medical, sometime in the far off distant future.

CrF

Stephany · 05-26-2005, 08:48 PM

Sandman,

Glad to hear family is okay, minus stiffness. Make sure they get checked out though. If somethimg comes up later, they can make sure its tracked to the accident, and paid out through the insurance. We were in a head on almost a year ago, messed up my hip, and I still have problems with it. BUT, its all on record with the insurance and also my MD. I didn't even feel badly until the next day, I couldn't sit at my desk at work for more then 3 hours, went into urgent care.

Also, go to this site, and get all the info you can on your rig: http://kbb.com That is the Kelly Blue Book site. Amazing how they figure things out.

Good luck, and tell the family to relax and take it easy this weekend.

Steph

fishingls · 05-26-2005, 09:55 PM

Blue books tend to have dated information as far as values. Takes about a month or more to compile numbers, print books, and get them out. Most dealers and adjusters use weekly wholesale auction reports which are only days old. You can ask the adjuster how and where the information is coming from to set a value on the vehicle. This should help you. Rather than a monetary settlement for the vehicle, ask them to replace with a like vehicle. This is an option. Your current lien holder may accept a the replacement vehicle as a substitution of collateral and release the title on the wrecked one. One reason adjusters are so quick to drop the hammer and call a vehicle a total is the proliferation of salvage auctions during the last decade. In many cases it is cheaper for the insurance company to do a total and then sell the vehicle at a salvage auction. Many of these vehicles get put back together in somewhat back yard shops and end back up on the road. Lots of luck in solving this. I feel the best bet is to pin down the adjuster on where he is pulling his values from. They will have to give you concrete information on what they are doing for valuations.

StickFish · 05-27-2005, 05:55 AM

Quote:

It bent the frame sledder.My wife did wake up this morning with a sore neck.

DON'T SETTLE YET

Your wife needs to see the Doctors NOW. My wife a little over two years ago had a minor accident and was rear ended. The minor accident damaged three virtebra in her neck and is suffering from numb hands and feet. It also caused damage to her inner ear and has balance problems and a constant ringing. She was a little sore after the accident, but two days later woke up at night almost unable to breath. Turns out she had a degenerative condition starting in her neck and this was all it took to wipe her out. She has not been the same since, used to go to the gym twice a day 5 - 6 days a week, kickboxing, all sorts of stuff - can bearly do spinning now couple times a week.

Yes were headed to court - but don't settle till all the facts are known.

CATCH AND EAT · 05-27-2005, 07:18 AM

Interesting that they call this a total even if the frame is bent it would not be bent by much unless the doors on the opposite side have much wider gaps than normal. A pair of nice clean used doors, a new center post and rocker and perhaps a new A pillar and running board and this vehicle could be put back together darn nicely.

I did an estimate just for fun from the pictures you sent me and came up with about $6000.00 in repairs using used parts. If new parts are used in the repair you most likely push it over the edge to the total loss catagory. Most vehicles are totaled by insurance companies at 70% of the value of the vehicle. That would put the maximum repair of your vehicle right around $7600 before a total loss would happen.

Of course I cannot view your car personally up close but it seems from the picture to be a repairable vehicle.

Some good advice has been given in the above posts. Copies of the Sunday Oregonian, Auto Trader/Truck Trader, Auto Shopper and a canvasing of local dealers with prices posted on the sticker of a same make and model rig are what YOU should be putting together. Never take the first offer because it will be to low. Inform yourself and be prepared to debate the value of the vehicle with them. Leave the medical claim open for awhile. Pretty hard hit just to sign off on right away and believe me they will try to get you to sign off on the medical.

I would also suggest that you get a few estimates from some autobody shops in your area. You may be surprise at the difference in estimates and the possiblity that the vehicle is repairable.

Hope this helps a little. One more thing, this estimate was based on the vehicle being a 4x4. If it is a 2x4 then yes it is a total loss.

The Chub · 05-27-2005, 07:43 AM

That thing is toast. I used to work at an Auto Auction and that frame is bent. As stated above, the car gets replaced/repaired seperate from the disabilty claim. I would also ask them to find you a similar vehicle, you will get more money that way. Good luck!!

CATCH AND EAT · 05-27-2005, 09:33 AM

Quote:

That thing is toast. I used to work at an Auto Auction and that frame is bent. As stated above, the car gets replaced/repaired seperate from the disabilty claim. I would also ask them to find you a similar vehicle, you will get more money that way. Good luck!!

Not trying to be combative with you Chub but was wondering just what did you do at the auction and what qualifies you to make the toast statement? I would agree that the vehicle would total if all NEW parts were used to repair it. However with used parts the repair is possible. From the view of the picture the unibody portion will need frame pulls but as for the actual frame itself that would only be determined once the vehicle is on the rack and measured. A picture of the underside would be beneficial be for simply stating that the frame is bent would'nt you agree

Your imput is appreciated and again I am not trying to flame you or put you down. Just trying to clear up a misconception.

Ifishsum · 05-27-2005, 10:03 AM

You can settle the vehicle once you agree on a value, but as others said, don't settle the medical until your wife and children feel back to normal and you're reasonably sure there won't be future medical problems stemming from the accident. All involved should get a medical evaluation to protect yourselves and ALL of your medical bills should be covered by the settlement, as well as pain and suffering relative to the intensity of the crash.

These are 2 seperate settlements, so at least you can get started looking for another vehicle. And definitely do not be afraid to tell them you need more money - it's a lot like buying a car, except you're selling to them. Don't get greedy, but get what you deserve. You are entitled to be restored to your "pre-loss" condition.

I also agree the vehicle is totaled. I wouldn't want it after that, and anyone who carfaxes it would likely see the damage report, so it would be very difficult to sell in the future.

The Chub · 05-27-2005, 10:24 AM

I helped Pre inspect vehicles that were going up for auction. You are right, without seeing it close up I could be wrong. The thing that needs to be addressed here is that his truck is mashed, and even if it gets fixed he is going to take an enormous hit when he goes to get rid of it.

MacFish · 05-27-2005, 10:31 AM

They totalled it because frame damage can turn into a can of worms. PM me and I'll get you some kelly blue book values you can't get off the internet that might be some more ammunition for you to make your case.
Steve

slugbait · 05-29-2005, 06:38 AM

Hey at least you got hit by someone with insurance. Remember compensation for time off work (yours and hers). Medical reimbursment, have the wife and kids checked, just to be safe if nothing else. Like several others have said run the condition and the milage by the local dealers and check auto trader, insurance companies do not use blue book, they use market value.