Insurance Help

[Cephas]

Well, long story short: I hit the biggest raccoon I've ever seen in my life with the e30 a few weeks ago at night. I've never posted pics here, but will If it helps. Total damage is around 2K from my first estimate. I'm going to get another estimate as well since that seems high for the amount of work. The car basically needs a new bumper, lip, and valence plus fog light.

NADA book value says 7K+ for my car. It's in excellent condition, battery tray rust is super minor and none anywhere else, 108k miles and clean, clean paint.

Here's my concern, how do I know what they are going to value the car at when they do the estimate at the insurance company? If they say it's value is low they may total it. I'd like to avoid this of course as it just needs a valence and lip/bumper and some other minor work. Has anyone else been in this situation? Should I get the car appraised before submitting the insurance claim even with the damage?

If insurance is likely to screw me, I will pay to have her fixed out of pocket and not deal with them. Hoping for some sound advice from others who've dealt with this before.

Thanks!

[elbrack]

Well it largely depends on where you're at. They determine values by grabbing information about the sales of vehicles. The valuation a lot of companies use is total bullshit and it'll be up to you to up to establish the value of your vehicle. IT WILL NOT BE close to the NADA guide. Sorry :-\

I fought for about two months to get a $1000 dollar increase after they decided to total out my car.

A lot of the rules vary by state as well. Some states have super shitty rules. Good luck. If you have any questions about the claims process or handling the insurance company pm me. I'll tell you how I did it.

[Wschnitz]

Your not totally fucked as elbrack makes it sound.

1. Link NADA guides again to confirm the high value.

2. Send the BEST picture of your car you can find, with maybe one or two close ups of paint/interior condition (if its really good as you say)

3. Link other low miles minty cars in the price range you think your car is worth (5-8k)

4. Enjoy getting a better settlement (only if this is your first time or if its been a while since youve had an accident)

I did this when i totaled my car, they said 2300 was the market value of my car I purschased for 5200, I did these things above, and we closed at 7350 or something. Bought the car back for 1000 and sold parts for 3k. So yea, you can come out on top.

Listing your provider helps too.

[dereliiict]

Why are you submitting an insurance claim for something like this anyway? Especially if totaling your car is a concern for you.

[2full2ride]

depending on the insurance company it maybe considered a comprehensive claim with a normal deductible of 500$$ unless you opt in for lesser deductible. Like the comment above, use Nada guide to help justify the condition and cost of the car, provide pics to adjuster and negotiate negotiate negotiate. Most insurance companies if they are douchey they may just pay you actual cost value which is "replacement cost minus depreciation" - little lower than KBB.

Keep us updated hope my 2 cents help....

[dannyg]

Why are you submitting an insurance claim for something like this anyway? Especially if totaling your car is a concern for you.

exactly - spend a few hundred bucks, grab the parts on here and not worry about it.