So I got rear-ended at a light on Saturday, totally the other guy's fault. He was driving an 89 Camry and I have a Volvo wagon, so you know which car looks the most jacked up at this point. However, my wagon has just about enough damage to total it. Enough panels are slightly bent, looks to be unibody damage, etc.

I don't have any emotional attachment to the wagon, and I already took out the aftermarket stereo (I'd never secured it so it flew out on impact ).

I did just put some new damn tires on there about 1200 miles ago, damn it. I want to recoup that somehow if it is declared totaled.

So the other guy's insurance company is sending an adjuster to look at my wagon tomorrow. I've never dealt with this kind of thing before. Anyone familiar with the process and/or have tips on how I can get as minimally screwed as possible? I don't really care whether I get my wagon fixed or get a new car out of it, but what I don't want is to have them total it and then give me a lowball check.

5/14/2007 5:22:04 PM

all I know is when Progressive came to check my fender bender, the adjuster didn't even knock on my front door, I didn't even know he came

5/14/2007 5:56:17 PM

I was in an accident in '05 and not at fault. I went ahead and got two body shop repair estimates. When the adjuster came over, (he knocked on my door), and informed me that he would inspect my car for damage. I showed him the estimates and asked which place I'd take it to, blah blah. Was pretty painless, but that was because my car was sitting in my driveway, the situation will be different if yours was towed somewhere.

5/14/2007 6:14:36 PM

Since you got hit make sure you hit the insurance company up for depreciation on your vehicle. That might help you out some

5/14/2007 6:15:05 PM

I was in a fender bender and my Progressive adjuster came to my house. I just told him to get me as much $ as possible without totalling the car (20 year old mazda) so I wouldn't have a salvage title. He cut me a check the next day and I paid a friend of a friend to do the work. Some insurance companies have approved shops that you must go to.

5/15/2007 5:56:26 AM

^^ not going to work if its an older car

5/15/2007 8:41:52 AM

NC typically does not do depreciation.

i know in cali if you get in an accident its 20k asap to shut you up and make your pain go away.

5/15/2007 10:16:43 AM

1) If it's your insurance they can state you have to take it to certain repair shops.

2) If it's their insurance... you do not have to use their repair shops.

If you feel you are being mistreated DO NOT SIGN anything. Tell them you need to contact your insurance company because you feel they are not adequately compensating you for your loss.

Unfortunately new tires don't equate into $$ usually. It's considered required maintanance and not included in the estimate.

Do not feel afraid to say you disagree. Be an ass if they try to tell you that your car isn't worth what you think it is.

5/15/2007 12:20:47 PM

Quote :

"Be an ass if they try to tell you that your car isn't worth what you think it is."

to get an idea what it is worth:
kbb.com
nadaguides.com
edmunds.com

5/15/2007 12:45:29 PM

Quote :

"Some insurance companies have approved shops that you must go to."

Quote :

"1) If it's your insurance they can state you have to take it to certain repair shops."

it is illegal for an insurance company to require you to use a certain bodyshop. however, they can give suggestions.

5/15/2007 9:34:46 PM

Thanks for all the advice. As it turns out, it was pretty painless. It's a 94 Volvo 940 Turbo wagon, and it's declared a total loss as I expected.

My options:

a) Take a check for $3300 and have the at-fault guy's insurance company tow it & sell at auction.

b) Take a check for $3062 and keep it with a salvage title.

So I am pretty clearly taking b and selling it on craigslist or some such, since it's completely drivable. I figure I can recoup the $238. I guess it is actually one taillight lens short of being street legal.

He was pretty fair about the whole deal. I have no particular time frame in which I have to decide.

Oh yeah, regarding the tires, he said that if I chose option a, I could keep the tires, since all they care about when they tow it is that it rolls.

5/15/2007 9:53:23 PM

Quote :

"NC typically does not do depreciation."

bullshit.

Quote :

"Unfortunately new tires don't equate into $$ usually. It's considered required maintanance and not included in the estimate. "

not if they are new, which in his case, they pretty much are.

sell the car on craigslist yo, that's money

5/16/2007 11:02:36 PM