Anybody know anything about car insurance?

kittykisses · 06-02-2006, 11:15 PM

I need to know what it means when a car gets "totaled out". I know that means it will cost more to fix it than the car is worth. But other than that, what does it mean? The insurance adjuster said 1. the insurance company can write us a check for the value of the car and take the car -or- 2. they can write us a check and we pay them the "scrap" (or salvage or something ?) for the car and we keep the car. What's the difference in those two options? It was my understanding that once the car is listed as totaled, that it has no value as far as using it for a trade-in or selling it ourselves because it can never be titled again. Can we sell it for parts? It can't really be driven because the door is smashed in and you can't get it open to get in the driver's seat. I want to do what is best for us, but I also don't want to do anything illegal. Also, is there anywhere on the internet I can loook up the value of the car? How will this affect our insurance? The lady that hit the car refuses to admit it, so we have to claim it under our collision insurance.

Seashell · 06-02-2006, 11:34 PM

I have had an insurance company "total" a car due to a fire under the hood that also burned all of the wiring in the dash (it was an old car that I drove as a teenager). My father and brother were both mechanics and we bought the car back and they fixed the wiring. We also had it painted and reupholsterd and still had money left over. With the description of the damage to your vehicle I would be afraid there is damage to the frame and would probably opt not to buy it back and fix it.

I do not know how this will affect your rates. I would check with your agent on that one. I think lots will depend on if you live in a "no fault" state.

Tami

Cameryn · 06-03-2006, 05:34 AM

You can sell it for parts, but unless that's already your or your family's livelihood, it ain't worth it. IMO, take option 1/the check and let them deal with the car. They're going to turn around and sell it for parts, but let that be their headache.

www.kbb.com and www.edmunds.com both list bluebook values of cars. When I totalled my Cherokee, my check was for more than either of the sites estimated--I guess they were more generous about the condition than I. Of course, you and they are basing it on the condition five minutes prior to the accident, not five minutes after.

It will affect your insurance if the other party doesn't pay. I don't understand the part about her not admitting--is there no police report. They don't hesitate to say who's at fault.

kittykisses · 06-03-2006, 06:58 PM

The police report is the brunt of all our problems. The lady bashed into my DH's car, got out, said she did no damage and got back in her car and LEFT! My DH had to drive to the poilice station to report it and gave them her license plate number. The policeman was very rude and obnoxious and kept screwing my husband's words around to make it sound like he was lying. They went to see the woman, who lied and said DH ran into HER. It is very obvious from looking at our car that it was impossible for him to have ran into her. He would have had to drive the car sideways! But since the policeman decided to be such a jerk about everything, he refused to write her up and she's getting off scot-free! Her insurance refuses to pay and no one will stand up for us and say "Look at the damage. It is obviously her fault." The fact that SHE fleed the scene means nothing to anyone. And as my DH pointed out, if HE had hit HER, she would have called the police and STAYED until they arrived and filled out a report.

Nationwide is on your side? DON'T COUNT ON IT!

Cameryn · 06-04-2006, 04:43 AM

Okay, now that's just crazy!! Keep fighting it, if you can--go above the cop who refused and talk to a supervisor. Same thing at Nationwide. Call until they give up/in just to make you go away!