I think the other guys insurance is s******g me!! any advice?

Question

i know i keep asking questions about insurance claims. heres the problem: a few weeks ago i was pulling into a parking lot as someone was backing out 2 spaces to the right of me well he backs right into my rear passenger side door leaving huge dent. as i was pulling into my parking space. i call his insurance company which is the same company as mine well i get a call last thursday from his insurance saying that they finally have all the information they need and they are going to fix my car! those exact words, well on tuesday of this week the adjuster comes out to inspect the damage and then he puts all the info in his computer along with the ton of pictures he took of my car inside and out! heres the wierd part he checks under the hood and then he opened it to check the oil and the transmittion fluid!!!! then he tells me that theres a good chance that will be claimed a total loss!!!. i have a 1991 oldsmobile 88 royal which is in great shape and i intend to be the last owner of it!

Answer 1

They have to look at everything...how the car was maintained, interior/exterior.  Some vehicles, because of age, are deemed an economical total loss.  Difficult to find parts or parts are too expensive.

Why aren't you going through your own insurance??  They are more obligated to assist as your under contract with them.

Answer 2

They must feel the repairs will cost near to the value of your car.  If they "total" it, they will usually offer you a chance to buy it back from them.  Then you can either have the dent fixed or just drive it as is.

Answer 3

If you think you have a classic or want it to be replaced or restored, then you have to have that type of ins.

The ins. only is to restore it to the same condition as before the accident, but not to exceed the value of the cost to buy the car.

The catch you have is you can tell them to find you the same car for that amount of money they are telling you the car is worth.  Also remember you time to deal with the ins. company is worth money too.  Also the fact that this can effect your ins. rates if you change company is a form of damage, so you need to be compensated for that also.

You can contact your States Ins. Commissioner if you have questions or feel you being taken advantage of also.

Answer 4

Well you know the point to running all businesses is to make a profit and to them repairing your car would cost too much than to write you off which is what they're doing right now.

Answer 5

A total loss -- is when the cost to repair the car (including parts and labor ) equals or exceeds 75% of the car's value. In my area, we pay 42.00 an hour for labor.

You car is 17 years old. It's not going to take much to reach the 75% mark.  I could kick it in the door and make enough damage to total loss it. If it's drivable....its a "rolling total".

He looked all inside the car and the engine because that's how you evaluate a total loss.  The condition of the car is an important factor in it's value. Did you keep the fluids up? You would be shocked  the number of people with no oil in a car - have never changed the transmission fluid but claim the car is in "mint" condition!

And - if your goal was to be the last owner of the car-- congratulations - you are!  The total loss will go to a salvage yard to be sold for parts. But given it's age, it won't bring much.

Now, since the car is 17 years old -it's going to cost the insurance company more to sell it than they would get at the salvage auction.

They may be willing to sell the car back to you. Usually for 20-25% of the cars value. Then what you do with the car is up to you.

Answer 6

You are right, they are going to s***w you and

YOU WON'T EVEM GET KISSED.

I bet he offers you about $500 for your car.

Answer 7

there is a very good chance that it will be a total loss. if the damage is 80% of the cars total value they will declare it a total loss. older high mileage cars and older low mileage cars are totaled out for liability reasons. if the car is worth less than 1500 you may be able to work something out with the insurance company. ask the claim rep what they can get done about a check for the damages versus totaling your car out.