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

[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

[owlice]

Hey, maybe Owlie can go lift a door off a car somewhere

Yeah, like off my brother's Honda Civic, which isn't running and is available for cannibalization.

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.

Yup, and it's even the most popular color for these cars, too: silver. I think getting a replacement door, even without my bro's largesse, would not be hard for this car.

Liability for the accident has not (to my knowledge) been determined yet, but I am pretty sure the other driver will be found to be at fault.

[colorisnt]

Wow. Glad you are okay, OP!

It makes sense that they would total it. The car that was SUPPOSED to be my first car (a 1989 Chevy Suburban) was totaled in 2001. We used it to pull our horse trailer. We paid $800.00 for it and it was a good car. We took good care of it for 2 years and then my Dad had to go on a business trip. Rather than bring the nice car, he took the hay mobile. It was stolen from the airport. The took the AC unit, the stereo, and the back doors.

Turns out whoever stole it, stole it for scrap. If we could have gotten the doors, we would have bought it back from the insurance company. Not having a payment was what really mattered and the salvage costs could have been minimal IF we could have found doors (which we couldn't).

A civic is a lot different. And I understand why you want to keep it. We have a 97 accord that was "my" car growing up. It still runs great. Plenty of issues with the pain, has a ding in the windshield, and the windows don't work, but it gets my sister from point A to point B. You should be able to find a door if that frame isn't bent. Shouldn't cost that much.