Car was hit when parked. How to get fair settlement?

[TimKninja]

BE CAREFUL WITH USAA

I got hit by someone with USAA in my e30 . They might try to "make an assessment" on your car by towing it to an insurance auto auction company. Don't let them do that . They shove your car in some lot and take anything of value . Then USAA will try to lowball you . They where assholes to me the whole time .

[jhaurimn]

About 50$ to pull the dent, 150 or so for bumper plus another 150 or so to paint it, new grille will be about 30-40, and the bumper trim is about 40. Hopefully you don't need to replace the valance too, otherwise add another 150 or so for the part and paint.

Worst case, it's about 600 to get everything looking good again.

[Jean]

Get a few estimates, then see what they say, if they low-ball you then use your estimates. Ask them to write you a check, you get the shit fixed. That's a $500 fix at the MOST.

[vert_this]

They won't total that especially if you don't want it totaled why would they want to give 2500-3000 when they can give you 1500 to go away. Even if they choose to total it you are the owner and you can buy the car back at a small number and that number can be subtracted off what they pay u. I wouldn't go spouting off what you wanted from them until they made the first offer cause they may low ball you if they think your wanting to keep it come hell or high water.

[LivingLegend06]

Well since everyone is posting pic of cars hit in the driverside front corner...
Car was totaled out.

[decay]

+1. Most USAA members are former servicemen/servicewomen. We have some integrity. lol

this. and if you have the option to use USAA and you aren't, yer wrong. they're an awesome bank.

OP, i had something similar happen:



i can't remember how much i settled for, exactly, but it was somewhere between $2500-3k and i had about half of that in my pocket after fixing. you should be able to do this without worrying about salvage title-

print out every single page from RealOEM that has a part you need to replace, highlight the ones you need. get a quote from a good paintshop on painting the bits that need it (make sure they know someone else's insurance is handling this).

hand that stack of pages to the adjuster and say "it's gonna cost this much to fix. gimme."

[JinormusJ]

You and me both brother



My only issue is the guy didn't leave squat

[RGCintha29073]

+1. Most USAA members are former servicemen/servicewomen. We have some integrity. lol

:up:

I was hit while stopped at a red light, guy gave me all his info and said he wanted to just pay me to take care of it. Went to like 3 places and got an estimate. It really only cracked the rear black plastic bumper trim but i got an estimate for almost 1000. Body shop guy said they always add a few hundred to an estimate to cover hidden costs.

[redsubdivisions]

That sucks man.. but be thankful the guy left a note with his contact information.. Faith in humanity restored

+1. Most USAA members are former servicemen/servicewomen. We have some integrity. lol

[jeffnhiscars]

They usually dont total a car unless the damage is at least 75-80% of "value" so that should not be an issue here. As for the estimate I'd also say it's high given that I can get this fixed for $1000.

[e30lov]

That sucks man.. but be thankful the guy left a note with his contact information.. Faith in humanity restored

[e30austin]

I don't think they'll total it over that.

When I got backed into over summer, they valued my car at $3k bone stock and tried to total it over $3500 in damages. At that point, I called my lawyer and he handled it. Got me what I wanted and kept my clean title.

[SedanSandwich]

then go through insurance. have them write the check to you.

This is what I am going to do. I'm just worried they will say it is totaled even though similar cars in the PNW are close to 4k.

[SedanSandwich]

Also the bumper is all sideways and has gaps on the other end. I think it needs to be replaced and will need new bumper retainers.

[Kershaw]

then go through insurance. have them write the check to you.