Auto insurance question after an accident .

[charlie,nj]

I drive a 1997 Chevy I was hit dead center in the 2 passenger side doors. Someone went through a stop sign and hit me; luckily the driver was not going fast. No injuries. Both doors are all smashed in and the front passenger door window is gone. There is also a little bit of damage to the rear quarter panel. Miraculously both doors open and close. To my wife’s disgust I created a homemade plastic window with strong poster plastic and duct tape. The car is drivable. (but looks foul)

The car has about 170K miles on it; I was going to get a new car in the fall. I think the bluebook value on the car is about 700 bucks. I have a $500 deductable and I have to pay 20% of the daily car rental bill while the car is being repaired. My insurance company told me to get an appraisal.

Here’s the question, I don’t think it is going to be totaled because it looks like just the doors and quarter panel are damaged not the frame. But it seems like the damage will be far more then the car is worth. Will the insurance company just give me a check to cover the damage (minus the $500 deductible) and then I can do what I want with the car? I usually just donate cars when buying a new car. Or will they make me get it repaired. It seems like a waste if I get it repaired since am get rid of it anyway.

Thanks

PS – Since the accident I have received 20 plus letters from “lawyers” more or less telling me that I WAS hurt and that they will represent me. Unreal..but I do now have a nice collection of refrigerator magnets, magnifying glasses, key rings and cup holders. (too bad the lawyers names are on them)




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[trip]

If your were thinking of getting a new car anyway, I'd check into the "cash for Clunkers" program and see if you qualify.

 

[Darcy03231]

Since the driver of the other car was at fault, if his or her insurance company totals it they will give you a check for the value of the car and take the car. Keep in mind that you don't have to accept their first offer. DD's car was totaled and the insurance company tried to give us $1000. I told them I wanted to see the replacement car they found for the $1,000. They then increased the offer to $1500. Said I still wanted to see the car. We'd been out looking and found it was going to run us about $2500 to replace her car with something similar. Next offer was $1750. This kept going on until they finally got to $2250 and we took it.

If the other driver doesn't have insurance and you have collision on the car your insurance company will pay the value of the car less your deductable. Again, you can negotiate the value.

Also, if the other driver is at fault their insurance company should be paying 100% of your rental.

Good luck.

 

[4nana]

My DH just went through similar in late May when some lady stopped for a turtle and caused a 4 car crash . DH was the third vechicle back and the Dodge Ram behind him didn't stop in time, causing a chain reaction with DH's beloved 97 Jeep taking the brunt being totalled. Praise God DH's injuries were minor.

The way it works in Md, the guilty party's ins company will most likely total your truck. They will classify your truck as poor, fair, excellent condition ~ ours was excellent w/150,000 miles so we got top dollar. You should pay no deductible, as they'll issue you a replacement ck in full. You will have option to buy your truck from them for mininal $$'s or they'll take it to auction. We let them take our Jeep, but wish we'd kept it for $300., as DH purchased a 2000 Jeep Cherokee very similar to ours and he could have interchanged some parts.

BTW ~ glad you weren't hurt , however might be wise to get ck up, as sometimes muscular injuries appear later. Good luck!

 

[ringaswan]

Is New Jersey a no-fault insurance state?

If it is, then it doesn't matter who's at fault ... your insurance company will cover your damages & then they'll go after the other person's insurance company to recoup that $$ (if they feel it's worth their time and effort).

Cash for Clunkers sounds like a reasonable option right now.

 

[DVC-Don]

Is New Jersey a no-fault insurance state?

If it is, then it doesn't matter who's at fault ... your insurance company will cover your damages & then they'll go after the other person's insurance company to recoup that $$ (if they feel it's worth their time and effort).
................

No Fault in auto insurance only pertains to injuries, not property damage.

 

[Geoff_M]

You also may want to see if there is a "no claim" discount on your policy that you would lose if you asked for a check. You might end up in the red on the deal if you have such a discount.

We have them on our cars and home. I was just looking at our home owner's renewal notice last week end realized that if we have a claim on our policy our insurance will skyrocket ~400% solely by removing the discount.

 

[charlie,nj]

Thanks for all of the information I will post an update soon.

As for the “Cash for (my) Clunker” it does not qualify. It gets more than 18 mpg.

There is a nice qualification calculator at the FORD site.

Put the below url together removing the spaces and check it out.
(for some reason the DIS put’s in *’s for “your ride” if I post the entire url)
(see what I mean ******** )

www . letfordrecycle your ride . com

These are the rules from cars.gov

-Your vehicle must be less than 25 years old on the trade-in date
-Only purchase or lease of new vehicles qualify
-Generally, trade-in vehicles must get 18 or less MPG (some very large pick-up trucks and cargo vans have different requirements)
-Trade-in vehicles must be registered and insured continuously for the full year preceding the trade-in
-You don't need a voucher, dealers will apply a credit at purchase
-Program runs through Nov 1, 2009 or when the funds are exhausted, whichever comes first.
-The program requires the scrapping of your eligible trade-in vehicle, and that the dealer disclose to you an estimate of the scrap value of your trade-in. The scrap value, however minimal, will be in addition to the rebate, and not in place of the rebate.



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