Sad day for me today - accident

[mikeb95]

Got into a little accident today. She was about to turn 10 years next month. 190K miles and have done all of the work on her (except the DMF) including axles, brakes, new camshaft, etc. My biggest worry is that the insurance will give me close to nothing. The engine was still strong and personally was going to drive it for at least another 5 years.
Is there a manual or hints on how to tell insurance company to fix it no matter what! And it was the other person's fault, luckily no injuries on either side. And it was a Ford F-350 with a big 'ol ranch style bumper.
Mike

 

[IndigoBlueWagon]

Pick a body shop you like or that's well-recommended and tell them you don't want the car totaled. Offer to pay for any difference between the repair cost and insurance payout. Good shops know how to work with adjusters to get as much $$ as possible without totaling the car.

You might be surprised: The car may have more value than you think.

 

[Andrewh]

you can buy it back for the difference, talk to the adjuster about it.
it will be a salvage title however if you do.

it used to be easier and cheap to buy it back from the insurance company. but I have heard they are harder to work with lately and it costs a bit more.

 

[P2B]

When the insurance company wanted to total my A3 TDI and I wanted to fix it, I was able to negotiate a cash settlement - they sent me a cheque and I kept the the car. Title remained clear as technically the car wasn't written off.

I had the car repaired and actually had money left over. Insurance policy remained in effect.

This was a few years ago in Canada, YMMV.

Simon

 

[mikeb95]

So....finally got her to a shop to do the estimate on it.

Costs of repairs is $4700, they value the car at $5400. In Texas, anything over 80% of value is a loss. They said one of the determining factors was the mileage at 190K....and I was like, that engine is still breaking in! Adjuster sent me a list of comparables and how they got the value number. Will respond with some other cars and ask about savage value or buying it back.

 

[IndigoBlueWagon]

So ask them if they'll let you keep the car and write you a check for $4320., which is 80% of $5,400. Worth a few hundred to get to keep your car, I'd think.

 

[IA DPE]

At 190k miles, I would think a salvage title would have little effect on resale value. Especially since you're not wanting to sell it.