I am so mad. Deer

[sdoll]

I hit a deer tonight. I did quite a bit of damage to my car. I am actually sort of nervous they might total it out. anyone with any experience? I have a 2005 Crystler T &C with 135,000 miles on it. It looks like (it was dark) My hood is damaged my bumper is cracked and pushed back so I can't open my passenger door. My light is hanging to the ground. I am worried its not worth much more than the cost to repair it. We owe nothing on the car and we like that. We planned on driving it at least 2 more years unless it became a money pit. our deductable is $250. I am so frustrated I feel like we never get ahead. I know I should be counting my blessings. But come on. I was on my way to the Grocery store to get ready for Christmas baking.

 

[DVCBELLE]

I hit a deer once and insurance paid for everything but we didn't have to total out the car.

I am sorry - I know how you feel - we have no car payments and it is SO NICE! I dread when we might have to start making them again!

I hope your Christmas gets better!!

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I looked a Kelly bluebook and the average value is around $4,500.00. (all around average). The costs of damages add up quickly, so they may consider it "totaled", but can you use the money and find a shop to fix it or do they take the vehicle?

 

[squirrel]

Sounds like a write off to me.

My dad hit a deer once while pulling a trailer in a Chrysler van. The whole family was in the van except me (I travelled across Canada with a neighbour and her two kids-PS I don't think we saw any deer). My dad's side was damaged more. I know that the grill part of the van had damage. The van was repaired.

I know here when I was in a car accident they wanted to write off my car. I produced recent bills for a transmission, tires and they fixed the car. Not sure if they somehow tag it later as a write off for when you sell it or not. I traded it in a few years later to a dealership and got a new Honda.

 

[dakcp2001]

I feel sad for the deer. Be thankful you are ok! Cars arew fixable, life is not.

 

[n2mm]

So sad to hear that OP. I certainly share your pain. It's a common occurance here too. We have hit many deer here in WV. We don't go a day without seeing them.

 

[mom2t]

Happened to us coming home from church last Wednesday night after my son's Christmas play. My son was hysterical and started praying for God to help the deer. It slid 10 feet in front of our car. The deer got up and ran away. My insurance is paying for everything. The only inconvenience is I have is beeing without my car all week and hopefully will get it back next week. Luckily I am off from school all week.

 

[Nina]

My husband hit a deer a few weeks ago in our 1998 grand caravan. Had a good bit of hood & bumper damage as well. It was totaled

 

[swilshire]

If it's any consolation, your van is probably on the verge of being very expensive to maintain. You might be well rid of it. And the trade in value of these Chrysler vans is pitiful.

We got rid of our last one about a year ago and I wouldn't touch another one. We had nothing but trouble with the four we owned through the years.

As for the deer, I still have dents in the drivers' door where one hit me a few years ago. I had slowed down because I saw another one up ahead and this one just slammed into the side of the car, leaving major hoof prints. DH went back after it got daylight to see if he could find it, but it was not by the road. I guess it survived.

Sheila

 

[theparsons]

Hmmm, think how mad the deer is....well, his family maybe.

If they total out your vehicle most insurance companies will let you take the cash (less your deductible of course) and then you can have it repaired if you choose. I would definitely get a competent mechanic to give your car a THOROUGH look before deciding on this.....this is one of those types of accidents where there could be a lot of hidden damage, especially tweaking of the frame which will cause you loads of problems in the future (and the reason most vehicles are totalled after hitting an animal). Perhaps instead of getting this one fixed you could find a used vehicle with less miles to purchase for cash and therefore not have a payment.

If you go the route of taking the cash and repairing it, be sure to ask your insurance company what their policy is about this vehicle if you have another accident. Some companies, once they total a vehicle, won't pay for anything to your car if it's in another accident, even if you repair it, beceause they consider it damaged beyond repair. They'll still insure you, but only for the other guy if it's your fault....which mean you cause the accident and you get zip! Makes the idea of using the cash to buy used a wiser choice.

 

[Iwant2BAprincess]

I feel your pain. We hit an 8 point buck on halloween night with our 2000 accord. We had just paid off our other car and were planning on finally being car note free for the first time in our marriage. The deer hit the headlight, hood, front qtr panel and passenger door. We had 250000 miles on it. It totaled it, but just barely. So, yes it does stink to have a car note again but I got a great deal on a nearly new van that will be paid for in 2 years and there wasn't so much as a scratch on me, DH or my 2 DS's-we were all in the car when it happened. We had planned on hitting the 350000 mark in the accord but I keep trying to convince myself that everything happens for a reason so maybe it was about to lose the transmission-makes me feel a little better anyway. Good Luck!!

 

[Iwant2BAprincess]

Hmmm, think how mad the deer is....well, his family maybe.

If they total out your vehicle most insurance companies will let you take the cash (less your deductible of course) and then you can have it repaired if you choose. I would definitely get a competent mechanic to give your car a THOROUGH look before deciding on this.....this is one of those types of accidents where there could be a lot of hidden damage, especially tweaking of the frame which will cause you loads of problems in the future (and the reason most vehicles are totalled after hitting an animal). Perhaps instead of getting this one fixed you could find a used vehicle with less miles to purchase for cash and therefore not have a payment.

If you go the route of taking the cash and repairing it, be sure to ask your insurance company what their policy is about this vehicle if you have another accident. Some companies, once they total a vehicle, won't pay for anything to your car if it's in another accident, even if you repair it, beceause they consider it damaged beyond repair. They'll still insure you, but only for the other guy if it's your fault....which mean you cause the accident and you get zip! Makes the idea of using the cash to buy used a wiser choice.

We inquired about this...we were told first we have to surrender the title which will now be marked as a salvaged title. In order to get the title back it must pass several different inspections and may very well cost you out of pocket in addition to the insurance allotment. But, even then, if you get it back you will be dealing with a salvage title which may impact both your insurance and your value

 

[princessmom29]

We inquired about this...we were told first we have to surrender the title which will now be marked as a salvaged title. In order to get the title back it must pass several different inspections and may very well cost you out of pocket in addition to the insurance allotment. But, even then, if you get it back you will be dealing with a salvage title which may impact both your insurance and your value

exactly. The cost to insure a vehicle with a salvage title is astronomical, and the cost of having it repaired and all of the inspections is usually much more than what the insurance pays you for the vehicle. Most of the time, you end up with an insurance premium very close to what you would pay for insurance, AND a car payment on a newer vehicle. You will come out better taking the money and using it as a downpayment on something else.

 

[sk!mom]

DH and I hit a deer 31 years ago as we were leaving our wedding reception. Insurance covered the repairs but it was a newer car.

In the case of older cars, my DS has totaled 3 in really minor accidents. It doesn't take much to total a $3000 car.

 

[torinsmom]

I looked a Kelly bluebook and the average value is around $4,500.00. (all around average). The costs of damages add up quickly, so they may consider it "totaled", but can you use the money and find a shop to fix it or do they take the vehicle?

I don't know how mine worked, but I totalled my Mustang when I was 19. I was able to "pay" $200 in order to keep the car after it was totalled. My dad is an insurance agent and he knew someone who fixed it for what I got from the insurance. My insurance did not go up(well, except for the accident being my fault, LOL) and I drove that car for 5 more years(liability only). The next time it was totalled, it was not my fault and we chose to say goodbye to the car :-(

 

[smokeyblue]

My friend's car was totaled by hail a few years ago. They gave her a check for the value of the car and a salvage title. She just had to carry the very basic insurance. She made out like a bandit because the car was already on it's last leg. She drove it for another 6 months and used the $3500 the insurance gave her to buy a new vehicle.

 

[Aimros]

I hope the deer was ok.

 

[torinsmom]

Here's what the Nationwide Insurance site says:

"Want to keep your totaled car?

After your auto insurance company gives you the check for the totaled car value, it owns the vehicle. Oftentimes, the vehicle will be sold at auction – usually for parts – with proceeds going to the insurance company.

But you also may keep the totaled car. Just inform your insurance company as soon as possible. If you wait too long and it goes to auction, it's difficult to get the vehicle back. And in most states, you’ll need an auto salvagers license to attend the auction and bid on your car.

If you choose to keep the vehicle, your auto insurance company will still reimburse you for its actual cash value, less your deductible. The company also may deduct the amount it may have received if the totaled car was sold at auction.

Now that your car has escaped the auction block, you’re responsible for having it repaired to safe driving condition, including any work required to pass inspections.

Once your formerly totaled car is fixed, getting new liability insurance coverage shouldn't be a problem – as long as the passes inspection. Getting other types of coverage, however, may be, so you’ll need to talk to your insurance professional.

Finally, you also may need to buy a salvage title for your car. "

http://www.nationwide.com/rss/totaled-car-guide.jsp

Liability is what I got after I got my totaled car fixed. Your insurance agent should be able to guide you in whether this is an option for you, should your car be totalled out. You can also negotiate how much the insurance company gives you for your car if you have anything like expensive rims, recent engine or transmission work, etc.

 

[dclfun]

Yes, if you've made any expensive repairs, note that with the insurance adjustor. A friend of mine was in an accident several years back that was not her fault and she wasn't being offered much for her totaled car. She produced paperwork that showed she had just purchased 4 new tires the week before the accident and had another costly repair about a month prior. They then gave her an appropriate reimbursement- at least enough for her to purchase another used car of similar value.---Kathy

 

[connie1042]

My husband travel 80 miles each way to work. One year he hit 2 deer in a week. He only drives old cars, because he has to park in a bad area of town. He also had his car stolen while at work.