Car got crunched; insurance company wants to say it's a total loss?

[owlice]

Must be car-issue month. :-(

My car got hit on Sunday; fortunately, no one was injured. The driver door took most of the damage:

(My second split-second thought while the other car was hitting mine was something along the lines of "Gee, I hope I don't have to go to the hospital; I have on old underwear!" I wish I were kidding about this... but ~~ sigh ~~ I'm not... )

It's an old car, 1998, ~ 210K miles, a Honda Civic which has been very reliable. I hadn't planned to replace it for at least another two years, not with a kid in college at the moment.

My insurance company has declared it a total loss, which seems to be in their best (financial) interest; it does not seem to be in my best (financial) interest, however, given that I don't have a car payment now and would like to keep it that way (see "kid in college" above).

Has anyone here been through this before? I've not and suspect I should be more educated about my options before I make a decision to accept (or fight) the company's decision. If anyone has any suggestions, I'd be very grateful for them!

Thanks!

[Zen]

blue book value of a car that age with that many miles vs repair cost may be a total loss from an actuary view.

You might look into a junkyard replacement door if you want to put out the time and effort.

I know how you feel though
my car is the same year and I've taken good care of it. It would be hard to find a replacement for the $ they'll give you

[jdubble]

i know nothing of insurance/loss issues unfortunately, but i had to comment on this:

(My second split-second thought while the other car was hitting mine was something along the lines of "Gee, I hope I don't have to go to the hospital; I have on old underwear!" I wish I were kidding about this... but ~~ sigh ~~ I'm not... )

After finishing the Monster Cookie Metric Century in April, I pulled on a skirt, ditched the bike shorts, and then realized I had forgotten to bring undies. Figured, oh well, what the heck, I am NOT sitting on that chamois for an instant longer, hopped in the car, and three blocks later, we were t-boned by someone running a red light. My third split-second thought (after "how's my pregnant friend in the back seat?" and "omg the bikes are on the rear rack!" was "oh s***, I don't have any underwear on!" So yes, I can relate

Hope you get the answers you need. If the damage truly is limited to the door, I agree with Zen and look for a junkyard door. But is there more damage that they're basing their "total loss" on? Frame/axle damage that's not visible?

[OakLeaf]

Frame damage is what I'd be most concerned about.

But if two body shops tell you the frame isn't bent, and if the door is functional (or if you can find a door at a salvage yard as they've suggested), you might want to buy the car from the insurance company for the salvage value. Then it'll have to pass inspection by the OSP and they'll issue you a new title.

I've never done it myself, but I understand it's not hard in Ohio.

I don't think there's any way to avoid them totalling out the car, even if the damage is strictly cosmetic. That looks like at least $4000 to me (and it's been a while since I've had any body work done, thank goodness, so inflation probably makes it more than that).

[owlice]

Thanks, all!! I've emailed the insurance company asking for the figures they used in making this decision, and letting them know I'd like to get a second estimate for fixing the damage.

jdubble, oh thank goodness, it's not just me!! Thank you!

[Biciclista]

total loss just means that it would cosst more to repair the car than the car is worth.
You can take the check and find someone to repair your car if you still want it.
It very well could have frame damage.
If you are not happy with what they think your car is worth, find some other cars same make model and year for sale and prove that your car is worth more. photos of your car in its original pristine shape help too.
A few years ago someone rearended my 1991 Honda civic. THey wanted to total it too.
I got my car fixed!!

[7rider]

THey wanted to total it too.
I got my car fixed!!

Apologize in advance for the minor hijack here...but this got me thinking, and I'm curious....
If a car is deemed "totaled" by your insurance company, and you take the check and get the car repaired and back on the road...can you get insurance for it, or will the insurance company(s) deny you?

[OakLeaf]

You can't even put it on the road until you get an inspection and a new title. Once you've done that, you can get insurance.

Different states are different in how they handle salvage titles (which is basically the same as a homemade vehicle). Unsurprisingly, it's easier in states that regulate their vehicles less. I've been told you can't do it at all in California, but don't know whether that's true or not.


BUT... was this accident your fault, or is there another insurance company involved? If you're working off of someone else's liability, rather than your own collision coverage, you should be entitled to replacement value.

[MommyBird]

We had a car totaled in the early 90's. It was purchased and repaired by the owner of a salvage yard. I am not sure how he got it road legal again. I only know he repaired it because he called and asked to purchase the owners manuals.

The insurance company actually paid us 7k more than we paid for the car. It was a 1991 Audi 100, purchased used when Audi was still living under their mid 80's "sudden acceleration" reputation. By the time of the accident they were a reputable car company again and it showed in their value. We had purchased the car less than a year old, with less than 10k miles and for about half it's original sticker price. We were fans and it replaced our 1988 Audi 80.

So glad you were not hurt.
Hope you can get on the road soon in a comparable vehicle without a payment.

[Zen]

Look at the photo again.

I doubt the frame is bent.

[Tuckervill]

I'd say you're lucky it's a Civic, because there are thousands in that age range still on the road, and you'll probably be able to find a door at a salvage yard. The insurance company will know how to tell you to procure the care and title it. If you want to keep the car, your check will be a little less, but you'll still have some funds to buy another door.

Remember, the insurance company's idea of it being "fixed" might be a higher standard than yours. You may be able to find a door with that exact same color.

Karen

[Biciclista]

Apologize in advance for the minor hijack here...but this got me thinking, and I'm curious....
If a car is deemed "totaled" by your insurance company, and you take the check and get the car repaired and back on the road...can you get insurance for it, or will the insurance company(s) deny you?

Yes. The first time my Honda was totaled (someone stole the door off it)
I kept the title and took the money and bought a used door and went on driving it.

Since my car's being totaled didn't actually have structural damage, we didn't have to have it reinspected.

[MM_QFC!]

Yes. The first time my Honda was totaled (someone stole the door off it)
I kept the title and took the money and bought a used door and went on driving it.

Since my car's being totaled didn't actually have structural damage, we didn't have to have it reinspected.

Interesting, as when I reached a property settlement on my destroyed bike, I had to bring it to my attorney's office when I picked up the property check because the insurance company was taking possession of my bike.
I paid a teeny bit to do a salvage buy-back of my wheelset, so that I could exercise the warranty replacement.

[Biciclista]

Considering you and I (MM_QFC) live in the same neighborhood, I would say that it must vary from case to case. However, both times my car was totaled, I only had to deal with my own insurance company because in the first case, the thieves were never found, and in the second, the other driver was uninsured.

[tulip]

Mimi--they stole your door? Like, you walked out to go to work and your car had no door? Wow. Hey, maybe Owlie can go lift a door off a car somewhere