Took one from a Civic

[BlackbirdM3]

If the car was nice, ask around and find a good appraiser. Get it appraised and then send the finding to the insurance company. Yes, its going to cost you about $300, but it might be the only way to save the car. If they move to total the car, this is all you can do to fight it. If you jump on the appraisal first, you might be able to beat them by proving they are wrong right off the bat. Also, if you have any receipts, that will help as well. You have to play hard ball with the insurance company, they are out to screw you and that is it.

Will

[smooth]

No offense, but I don't see any reason to appraise that car.

[AsharC]

^^Exactly. Its just a trim piece that is screwed. The dent is too big.

[CabbE30]

Worst case: totaled, I buy it back and repair it. This is my DD and drives just fine. Just a shitty situation either way.

AAA is going to send out an estimator and then they're going to cut me a check hopefully based on his review. Should I get my car all cleaned up for the appraisal or leave as is?

[BlackbirdM3]

Worst case: totaled, I buy it back and repair it. This is my DD and drives just fine. Just a shitty situation either way.

AAA is going to send out an estimator and then they're going to cut me a check hopefully based on his review. Should I get my car all cleaned up for the appraisal or leave as is?

AAA is going to hang you out to dry. Simple as that. They are a useless company that is only there to take peoples $ and screw them when the time comes for them to fix the car. Trust me, I know. I spent most lf last year fighting with them. If you want your car to be totaled no questions asked, fine. Ignore my advice. If you wish to keep your car and have a possible chance of it not being totaled for $500, you need to have it appraised. By the way, the apprasal in this case is PRE accident condition.

Will

[smooth]

Just out of curiosity, what are you imagining an appraiser is going to conclude his car was worth?

[BlackbirdM3]

Just out of curiosity, what are you imagining an appraiser is going to conclude his car was worth?

No idea, I've never seen the car. It depends on how clean it is, what parts are on it, ect. If it happens to be an uncommon car in the area, that is a plus, heck if it happens to be just a very clean example with some tasteful mods, that might push the value of the car up above the cost to repair it.

Lets put it this way, my M3 appraised for almost twice what I paid for it. I figured my appraiser would put it at $23K or so, the result was another $10K tacked on top of that. With my '69 Alfa, insurance said it was worth $6K, my appraiser looked at it after it had been totaled and said prior to the accident it was worth no less than $18500. Unfortunetly AAA called their local in house appraiser (so much for independent opinion) out and he devalued the car down to $7k. (Anyone who knows Alfas would tell you that a rusted out US Spec '69 1750 GTV needing a full restoration and not running, brings $7k all day long.)

You never know what an appraiser will say. If its a rough condition car that has a ton of miles on it and has been poorly taken care of, yes, pointless to have an appraiser look at it. If its a clean car and runs well, you might be surprised. It might appraise for $10K+ and the car will likely be fixed. Then again you might end up with the mess that I wound up in. That is why I say strike early so when they ask, you can submit the appraisal report first and they might not send there crook out to look at the car.

Will

[livetheride]

When my 86 325es with 170k that has rusty rockers had its door smashed and the rear quarter panel tweaked, the shop quoted $2100 in damage and said they'd do it for $1600. One week later I had a check for $1600... not everyone under-appraises these cars that bad.

[CabbE30]

We'll see tomorrow morning!!

[BlackbirdM3]

So any word on the car? I really hope you can get them to fix it for you. Since you are in the bay area, if you want I can give you the # of my appraiser. She knows her stuff and usually works for the big name auction houses appraising Jaguars, Ferraris, ect. She is very much a car person.

Will

[CabbE30]

The estimator came out yesterday and viewed the damage. I didnt get to meet with him but on the invoice he said my car was in excellent condition in & out and took lots of pics. He sent the invoice to the insurance agent and they are going to send me a check.
How much do you guys think???

[walktheboard]

max 5g, most likely 2-3g

[freeride53]

Breh, your car isn't getting totalled.
Let me tell you why:
see that dent in my rear qt panel?
they gave me a check for $1200 (which went my dad for the lolz)
for that little shit. My car has like what, 250,000 miles, and it's a 318i.

Your car chit's on mine in teh valuez

[freeride53]

BTW, I got hit in my ALREADY SALVAGED 83 Peugeot last may, and they initially offered me $1200.

So far i've gotten $3,200, and i'm still about to get another $2k. ;)

If you fight, and you show persistence, I will guarantee you that you wont get fucked.

[BlackbirdM3]

BTW, I got hit in my ALREADY SALVAGED 83 Peugeot last may, and they initially offered me $1200.

So far i've gotten $3,200, and i'm still about to get another $2k. ;)

If you fight, and you show persistence, I will guarantee you that you wont get fucked.

Wrong! I fought and did everything I could possibly do to the point of taking the claim to arbitration, and I got screwed in the long run. I spent most of last year playing that game. In the end they did give me more than they were, but they turned around and screwed me out of another $2K after the value of the car was marginalized for roughly half what it was worth, and documented to be worth. I had a lawyer, a very good appraiser, and I was fighting my own insurance company and got screwed. Insurance companies are a bunch of back stabbing pricks who make money off your loss every way the possibly can, even if you are not at all at fault.

Will