update/ sad day, estimate for repair Options

[oldschool]

so the insurance gal came by today, took some photos, mileage,dent,vin and all 4 corners, went to her car and came back with a printed sheet....preliminary estimate
total $5219.96

she said that they will total it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif)

parts.12.8 hrs @ 32.hr $4214.53
body labor 2.6 hrs @32.hr $409.60
paint labor 2.0 hrs @32.hr $83.20
frame labor 2.o hrs @38. $76.
paint supplies 2.6 hrs @24.hr $62.40

[biosurfer1]

Did she mention anything about you buying it back? I don't know the specifics on your car, is that price in the ballpark of what you were expecting?

[Derek Seymour]

Sorry to be pesky but is this through your insurance or were you hit and it is through his/her insurance?

If it is yours then I say bite the bullet fix it yourself and don't file it. If it is another persons insurance company then you can actually fight it but you may end up spending big time $$$ and time in court. Often if you threaten to go to court over it the insurance company will change its tune and work with you.

[ConeDodger]

That should be fairly easy to fight and you absolutely should. For example, a a 73 2.0 in excellent condition is worth almost 4 times their own estimate according to Excellence Magazine 11/08 issue. You have a host of other recognized experts to give you a post accident appraisal that should show the value at least double their estimate. If you allow them to total the car, you will have a salvage title. Not good when you go to sell. Threaten to sue. I have seen your pics. That car is not totalled if you consider real value for classic status vehicles.

[Wilhelm]

So what does a person do whose car get wrecked and they have alot of custom stuff in it that is not standard 914 stuff? For example Iamchappys 3.6 turbo car? Clearly the insurance payout on a mint condition standard 914 would not cover the custom bodywork, engine, 5 lug conversion, big brakes etc. The other person ins company does not see all this custom stuff, just a 35 year old perhaps well maintained vehicle. Could you end up swapping all the original 914 stuff back onto the car before the ins company took the car or would that be considered fraud?

[oldschool]

So what does a person do whose car get wrecked and they have alot of custom stuff in it that is not standard 914 stuff? For example Iamchappys 3.6 turbo car? Clearly the insurance payout on a mint condition standard 914 would not cover the custom bodywork, engine, 5 lug conversion, big brakes etc. The other person ins company does not see all this custom stuff, just a 35 year old perhaps well maintained vehicle. Could you end up swapping all the original 914 stuff back onto the car before the ins company took the car or would that be considered fraud?

The lady did say if you have any thing custom stuff they will pay for it.

and they hit me, its their insurance

[effutuo101]

So what does a person do whose car get wrecked and they have alot of custom stuff in it that is not standard 914 stuff? For example Iamchappys 3.6 turbo car? Clearly the insurance payout on a mint condition standard 914 would not cover the custom bodywork, engine, 5 lug conversion, big brakes etc. The other person ins company does not see all this custom stuff, just a 35 year old perhaps well maintained vehicle. Could you end up swapping all the original 914 stuff back onto the car before the ins company took the car or would that be considered fraud?

Insure for replacement cost rather then damages. that way, you and your insurance company know how much you will get paid if they total the vehicle. Then the insurance co's can go head to head about the cost.
914 value 10k (apprasial)
Replacment costs 20-25k
insure for 25k. it will cost more, but, you will get your $$ out of it if something happens.

[Zundfolge]

...they hit me, its their insurance

Then their "estimate" is nothing more than an offer.

Counter with more than what you really want and let them know that if they prefer this can be settled in court.

Then lawyer up. They'll either roll over or fight. Rolling over is usually cheaper for them.

[SirAndy]

...they hit me, its their insurance

Then their "estimate" is nothing more than an offer.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

[seanery]

Yup, I agree.
Their customer took away the privilege of your car from you...YOU are the VICTIM here...You have some say-so in the number you want/need!

Do the research, when my 951 burned I had a valuation from Porsche, the current Excellence numbers and ads for equivalent cars from anywhere you can find, just don't take the beaters, it's the nice ones that represent what your car was (to you, at least) that you need to take with you.

[Derek Seymour]

...they hit me, its their insurance

Then their "estimate" is nothing more than an offer.

Counter with more than what you really want and let them know that if they prefer this can be settled in court.

Then lawyer up. They'll either roll over or fight. Rolling over is usually cheaper for them.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

They are low-balling you at a figure they think is high enough to make you happy. Let them know you are more than happy to take this to court and that any and all legal expenses will be added in to the settlement total.

If this was your insurance company you would have less wiggle room, but their client has been found at fault and they are legally responsible to put your car back in the state it was in prior to the accident or provide you with an acceptable payoff amount. I don't think you will have any trouble finding experts that will tell you your car is worth more than what the insurance company is claiming.

[oldschool]

...they hit me, its their insurance

Then their "estimate" is nothing more than an offer.

Counter with more than what you really want and let them know that if they prefer this can be settled in court.

Then lawyer up. They'll either roll over or fight. Rolling over is usually cheaper for them.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

They are low-balling you at a figure they think is high enough to make you happy. Let them know you are more than happy to take this to court and that any and all legal expenses will be added in to the settlement total.

If this was your insurance company you would have less wiggle room, but their client has been found at fault and they are legally responsible to put your car back in the state it was in prior to the accident or provide you with an acceptable payoff amount. I don't think you will have any trouble finding experts that will tell you your car is worth more than what the insurance company is claiming.

ya they are using some kind of body shop software ccc and they have some kind of limit for the car rental?

[carr914]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) to all of the above, plus they owe for Rental Car plus personal injuries (your Neck & Back are hurting aren't they? )

T.C.

[Katmanken]

They are paid to save the company money. The rule of thumb is to total a car if the damage is around half the value of the car. So, the cheapest and easiest thing is to lowball the car's worth so that it becomes a total, and then their time, trouble, and payout($$$$$) are minimized. That is the cheapest way out for them. Enough people just roll over and accept the offer to make it a worthwhile trick to try. Sign nothing and accept no checks or payouts (another set of dirty tricks somebody tried on me).

So, you have to become a royal pain in the ass, learn to drop your emotions from the dealings, and be prepared to wait them out while they stall and delay. Hope you have another car to drive, that really gets their attention and things move faster.

Puff up, stand on the twerps toes, and tell him in a firm voice that it was THEIR CUSTOMER that hit you, and THEY are responsible for the repairs.

Tell them that you want your car to be just like it was, and ( say this very slowly and firmly like you are ready to kill them), NOTHNG LESS IS ACCEPTABLE. Keep repeating "NOTHNG LESS IS ACCEPTABLE" as required while they squirm.

Be ready to lawyer up. You can get your attorney to send a a nastygram letter for $150 or so that can usually solve the issue to your satisfaction.

How's your neck? Those rear end collisions can really cause some recurring pain and DR's bill$$$$$$$.... Rub your neck when talking to the estimator...

[dlo914]

I know a good attorney if you need one.

[oldschool]

I know a good attorney if you need one.

how about some parts?

[seanery]

we've all got parts - you're in the right spot if you need parts!

Get the insurance on the right path, then we can get you those parts!

[dlo914]

I know a good attorney if you need one.

how about some parts?

Gotta ask James on that.

[aircooledtechguy]

Do not take their "offer" PERIOD. Stand firm and get an appraisal or two of your own. If possible get an appraisal of the car based on the condition PRIOR to the accident. Here's a brief first-hand experience of mine.. .

A client of mine comes in and shows me photos of their burning '84 Westfalia. It was the most perfect Westy that ever stopped by my shop before the fire. Their insurance company (who will remain un-named but starts with Pem and ends with co (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif) ) offered them $3200 for the total loss. They asked me to write a short letter describing the condition of the Westy prior to the fire. I did and went on line to get real world replacement costs for another similar Westy and found that they would have to pay upwards of $12K-$14K+ just to get another one similar to theirs. I wrote the letter in my shop letterhead and signed it. They showed this to the insurance company and was offered $12.5K. That was reasonable and so they took it. They bought another one and are now back on the road again.

The lesson here is: Do do your homework and stand firm on what you know it will actually cost you. They will try and intimidate you and low-ball you; it's their job , it's nothing personal. They are counting on you to NOT do your homework and to take their word on things since they're, "in the business". Their only business is to save themselves money and make you go away as soon as possible.

[jcambo7]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) with all of the above. Take them to court. They most likely will roll over just like every one said. Freaking insurance companies... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif)