Wrecked car -what do you think will happen?

[HM]

OK. Our 2012 Chevy Cruze was in an accident. The adjuster says she is estimating the cost to repair to be around $9800. The car is worth about $13,000-$15,000 and has very low mileage. She had to send the estimate up the line to her manager.

Do you think they'll repair the car or do you think they'll total it?

 

[wiigirl]

Thats pretty close. Where was the damage?

 

[pyrxtc]

OK. Our 2012 Chevy Cruze was in an accident. The adjuster says she is estimating the cost to repair to be around $9800. The car is worth about $13,000-$15,000 and has very low mileage. She had to send the estimate up the line to her manager.

Do you think they'll repair the car or do you think they'll total it?

Depends on where the damage is and what insurance you/they have. Make sure they repair it with all dealer parts and not replacement parts.

 

[luvmy3]

You can check your ins. co's website to see if they post their formula for determining whether or not to total out a car.

 

[DVC-Don]

Back when I was doing claims work, we'd total the vehicle once damages exceeded 80% of the ACV.

 

[averysmom]

It's not just the repair amount and the value of the car- they also take into account the amount that they estimate they will receive at auction. I'd say you are right on the line.

 

[DCDisney]

If they don't total it you should make a claim for diminished value because the car is not worth the same amount of money as it was pre-wreck--unless you were at fault in the wreck. If you are at fault I don't think you can get diminished value.

 

[luvmy3]

OK. Our 2012 Chevy Cruze was in an accident. The adjuster says she is estimating the cost to repair to be around $9800. The car is worth about $13,000-$15,000 and has very low mileage. She had to send the estimate up the line to her manager.

Do you think they'll repair the car or do you think they'll total it?

Does the adjuster have to send it up to her manager because its so close? I just had an accident and the adjuster told me point blank when he saw my car that it would be totaled out, there was no need to send it up to anyone. Of course my car is older with low mileage so the only question was how much they would give me for it. It was more than I expected

A pp mentioned that they take into account what they could get at auction, but I think that may depend on the Ins. Co. The only time "scrap value" was mentioned was if I was going to keep the car instead of hand it over to them. If I was going to keep it, they would deduct what they would get in scrap from what they were going to give me. I am not keeping it, so that isnt figured into the amount.

 

[tvguy]

You really never can tell, the insurance company is looking at the lowest total cost, and sometimes that's more than the car's worth.
We have a 2008 Hybrid Escape at work with 100,000+ miles on it. Rear ended, looks like final repair bill will end up about $2500 over blue book. Insurance is paying the bill. Insurance company adjuster didn't realize the hybrid battery and compartment parts were needed for repairs to the tune of $6,000 more than he expected. They are paying for it.

 

[HM]

The engine is fine. All body panels need work, all side airbags and seatbelts will have to be replaced. Suspension will need work, new headliner, new wheel and tire needed. Those are the things I'm aware of. Around 15,000 miles on it. It's at the dealership.

 

[HM]

You really never can tell, the insurance company is looking at the lowest total cost, and sometimes that's more than the car's worth.
We have a 2008 Hybrid Escape at work with 100,000+ miles on it. Rear ended, looks like final repair bill will end up about $2500 over blue book. Insurance is paying the bill. Insurance company adjuster didn't realize the hybrid battery and compartment parts were needed for repairs to the tune of $6,000 more than he expected. They are paying for it.

The guy at the dealership told me that it's pretty often that an estimate misses something and they have to do a second payout for those things.

 

[DOREEN1779]

Push to have it totaled.

 

[BridgetBordeaux]

I know the whole situation really stinks. I also think it would be best to have it totaled. Technically this whole experience is going to cost you money. I would rather have it cost me and allow me to drive a brand new car with a low chance of future issues.

The value of your car will be diminished for life. It will impact the value at trade in time or if you sell it out of your driveway. As previously stated, there are often things that are missed, or gremlins may pop up months or years later.

Be very very picky about the car if it is repaired. Every single surface, panel, fastener, and assembly should look just like a well maintained 2012 Cruze. If something looks askew or if you hear extra squeaks or rattles, speak up!

 

[tvguy]

Push to have it totaled.

I'd do some investigating before I did that. The check you get may not be big enough to get you a replacement car comparable to your repaired car. Of course, the car must be safely repaired, and you must be comfortable with the car. But a minor fender bender that deploys 5 air bags and does little structural damage can lead to a repair bill that causes a perfectly good car being totaled.
That's a long statement, summed up as.......your repaired car may be worth more than the check you get if it's totaled.