posted 08-11-2002 12:45 PM                  

Any help is appreciated.

posted 08-11-2002 03:12 PM                  

I added my 2 cents at that time, the following may help here as well:

quote:

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Originally posted by GRROWL:
DON'T LET THEM TOTAL THE CAR. You are entitled to the cash value of the loss in value of the car. Argue that it went from $50,000 to $100, collect $49,900 and keep the car (so you can SELL THE PARTS TO US).

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Don't forget, YOU STILL OWN (and control) THE CAR - NOT THE INSURANCE COMPANY.

-GRROWL

posted 08-12-2002 05:07 PM                  

quote:

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Originally posted by 01Prowler:
.... I'm hoping I'll have the opportunity to purchase mine back from the insurance company...
Ron

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You will NEVER be able to purchase it back - your only chance is before you settle. You are entitled (at least in this state) to a check for the reduction in value due to the accident (for instance, before accident=$50,000, after accident=$100, you get a check for $49,900 AND KEEP THE CAR. The challenge is to negotiate a VERY LOW after accident value). I hope I'm wrong, but once you settle, I'd be very surprised if they even talk to you about selling it back.

posted 08-14-2002 07:50 AM                  

http://www.viperwrecks.com always has one or two cats for parts. Their prices are not cheap.

posted 08-14-2002 11:07 AM                    

quote:

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Originally posted by GRROWL:
(for instance, before accident=$50,000, after accident=$100, you get a check for $49,900 AND KEEP THE CAR.

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If any insurance company is willing to write me a check for $50K for the car, I'd be the one buying 1 a week and totalling them

Insurance companies usually pay the lower of the two, a) cost to repair b) total the car (greater then 60% damamge)

I don't think any insurance company is going to say the prowler is a $50K car (especially with prices out there now. Even if you paid $50K for it, it's a used car now and worth less.

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Trey
"Who are you calling chicken? I said I'm YELLOW"

posted 08-14-2002 01:54 PM                  

quote:

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Originally posted by YellowFever:

Insurance companies usually pay the lower of the two . . . .

I don't think any insurance company . . . . "

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YF, it was just an example - the numbers used were for illustrative purposes only (O.K., assume I was talking about an EXPENSIVE car). Everything is open to negotiation - you want to prove as HIGH a value as possible before the accident; as LOW a value as possible after the accident. Argue that they owe you the difference (at least that was my experience in this state).

Statements like, "Usually . . . ." and "I don't think . . . ." are just that - opinion.

Yes, I actually did what I said. "Usually" didn't apply to me (the car was over 100% totaled - repairs would have been more than 100% of what the car was worth). Yes, I received a check for the full pre-accident value minus $100. And, by the way, the check was for more than I thought the car was worth (I guess it depends on how good a negotiator you are). Or, you can just believe what the insurance company (or Goodyear, or Chrysler, or "the dealer") tells you.

I'm just trying to help other members out when my REAL, ACTUAL experience may be of value, but I'm seriously reconsidering that approach.

posted 08-14-2002 02:18 PM                    

quote:

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Originally posted by GRROWL:

Statements like, "Usually . . . ." and "I don't think . . . ." are just that - opinion.

Usually, means usually happens or usually is the case and is not an opinion.

Yes, I actually did what I said. "Usually" didn't apply to me (the car was over 100% totaled - repairs would have been more than 100% of what the car was worth).
The trick here is that most dealers and repair places will not say this. Why, because with a totalled car, they get nothing. Now if they start fixing it and then report more damamge (previously not reported) that gets the price up more, they get to actually repair the car at any cost because the insurance company has already started making payments for the repair work.

Yes, I received a check for the full pre-accident value minus $100. And, by the way, the check was for more than I thought the car was worth (I guess it depends on how good a negotiator you are).
I doubt that negotiating had anything to do with it. Nor would they take your word (or mine) as to what the vehicle was worth. Elsewise, they would be paying of several million dollar Yugo's out there.

Or, you can just believe what the insurance company (or Goodyear, or Chrysler, or "the dealer") tells you.
Again, it's not up to you or me to dictate to the insurance company what the car is worth especially when new 2002's are going for less then $40K....

I'm just trying to help other members out when my REAL, ACTUAL experience may be of value, but I'm seriously reconsidering that approach.

Ditto here, don't take it personally

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