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What does it take to total a car and when is it better to repair? Update
Posted on 5/29/18 at 8:37 pm
Posted on 5/29/18 at 8:37 pm
I realize this question varies. Got rear ended and pushed into another SUV. Hood crumpled, front quarter panels crumpled, can't open passenger door correctly, trunk smashed in, bumpers, etc.. Thing is I haven't been in a wreck this bad. Bad enough that there's a chance they total the car. Might not be as bad as I think but, more than pulling some dents out for sure. Car was making some strange noises when driving it off the road and had to be towed. The car is relatively new, so it may still hold too much value to scrap it. I feel like I'm going to get screwed no matter what. Total it and I get a lowball trade in value. Don't total it and I'm stuck with a vehicle that's possibly going to have little issues here and there.
Not really looking forward to any option. I definitely don't want to shop for another vehicle. Don't want to deal with the repair job either
. Such a great afternoon.
Not really looking forward to any option. I definitely don't want to shop for another vehicle. Don't want to deal with the repair job either
. Such a great afternoon. This post was edited on 6/5/18 at 7:52 pm
14
Posted on 5/29/18 at 8:44 pm to KG6
75% of the NADA value equals total in LA
ETA: I should also add I work for an auto insurance company as a bodily injury adjuster. Much of whether it totals or not has to do with the year make and model of the vehicle and the condition it’s in
ETA: I should also add I work for an auto insurance company as a bodily injury adjuster. Much of whether it totals or not has to do with the year make and model of the vehicle and the condition it’s in
This post was edited on 5/29/18 at 8:46 pm
Posted on 5/29/18 at 8:45 pm to KG6
Used to be something like over 1/3 the value of the vehicle was declared a total.
I had one totaled in the 90s that I should have had repaired. Would have saved me a car payment for a few years.
Edit: Harvey seems to know much more than me. Don’t remember where I got the 1/3 threshold, but I remember hearing it around the time I totaled mine.
I had one totaled in the 90s that I should have had repaired. Would have saved me a car payment for a few years.
Edit: Harvey seems to know much more than me. Don’t remember where I got the 1/3 threshold, but I remember hearing it around the time I totaled mine.
This post was edited on 5/29/18 at 8:48 pm
Posted on 5/29/18 at 8:46 pm to KG6
each state and insurance companies have established percentages of vehicle value that determines when vehicle damage reaches total loss. If the vehicle is worth like 40K or more it's very difficult to reach that threshold. Damage to the frame is one of the most expensive forms of damage. If the vehicle is worth like 3 to 5K, it doesn't take much bc labor adds up quickly.
Should include make and model and year in info.
Should include make and model and year in info.
Posted on 5/29/18 at 8:48 pm to HarveyBanger
It's 2017 Lexus ES350. I have a feeling it won't get totaled due to remaining value. I'm in
Texas, so not sure how the law differs. I just foresee a lot of little issues such as the frame never being 100% like it should be. Rattles, creaks, and just random shite not lasting as long as intended now. I literally just did a $700 maintenance on it yesterday. So even if it totaled and I got a "fair" value, that was basically a waste.
Texas, so not sure how the law differs. I just foresee a lot of little issues such as the frame never being 100% like it should be. Rattles, creaks, and just random shite not lasting as long as intended now. I literally just did a $700 maintenance on it yesterday
. So even if it totaled and I got a "fair" value, that was basically a waste. 
Posted on 5/29/18 at 8:48 pm to KG6
I've only totaled one. There wasn't a huge amount of body damage but I fricked the high dollar steering assist and that was the difference in repair versus total. The tally tree branch through the windshield didn't do it.
Posted on 5/29/18 at 8:49 pm to KG6
Airbags blow? If yes then probably totaled if no then maybe not. Just IMO
Posted on 5/29/18 at 8:51 pm to KG6
Give me the year make and model of the vehicle and the mileage and I can give you a pretty good idea if whether it will total.
Were there fluids leaking? If so what color?
Did my airbags deploy?
Do the doors open properly?
Does the engine still start and run? Sounds like it does?
Were there fluids leaking? If so what color?
Did my airbags deploy?
Do the doors open properly?
Does the engine still start and run? Sounds like it does?
Posted on 5/29/18 at 8:54 pm to KG6
quote:
It's 2017 Lexus ES350.
Will not total unless you completely destroyed it which it doesn’t sound like you did. Especially with no airbags
Posted on 5/29/18 at 8:55 pm to HarveyBanger
quote:
Were there fluids leaking? If so what color?
Did my airbags deploy?
Do the doors open properly?
Does the engine still start and run? Sounds like it does
No fluids
Airbags didn't deploy (really wasn't a horrific accident, just a lot of bent metal)
Passenger door does not open but maybe 1/4 of the way due to quarter panel being pushed into it and blocking movement. Other doors seem okay
Never re-started engine, but it was making some funky sounds as I pulled off the road.
Like I said, I'm not well versed in body damage. This could be normal. But it's the first time I've had to question. When I couldn't open the passenger door, that's when I thought there was trouble.
Posted on 5/29/18 at 8:57 pm to HarveyBanger
$700 “maintenance” on a 2017 Lexus? What did you have done that wasn’t covered under warranty for $700?
Just curious...
Just curious...
Posted on 5/29/18 at 8:58 pm to KG6
More than likely it is repairable
Another little known fact most insurance companies don’t want you to know is that they owe you diminished value on the vehicle. They won’t ask you about it just tell them you want to make a DOV claim. I’m speaking of the at fault insurance policy. You can’t make a DOV claim on your own policy
Another little known fact most insurance companies don’t want you to know is that they owe you diminished value on the vehicle. They won’t ask you about it just tell them you want to make a DOV claim. I’m speaking of the at fault insurance policy. You can’t make a DOV claim on your own policy
Posted on 5/29/18 at 8:59 pm to Tiger4Ever
I won't pretend that I waste money on maintenance. The 30k maintenance was 700 at the dealership. Realize it's dumb to go to the dealer for that stuff, but I do. That's on me. Still sucks that I paid for it right before the accident.
Posted on 5/29/18 at 8:59 pm to KG6
Technically, the actual cash value of your car minus the salvage/wreckage value of your car is the threshold where the insurance company will want to total out your vehicle.
Each state runs things differently. But that is how the insurance company views it.
Each state runs things differently. But that is how the insurance company views it.
Posted on 5/29/18 at 9:01 pm to KG6
No doubt it sucks...no judging here as it is your money and car. I was legitimately curious what you had done.
Good luck with whatever the outcome is with the car.
Good luck with whatever the outcome is with the car.
Posted on 5/29/18 at 9:02 pm to KG6
Get a lawyer...sue them for the limits on the policy, and buy you whatever the frick you want
Posted on 5/29/18 at 9:02 pm to HarveyBanger
So I've got the worst luck with getting rear ended. This is the 5th time I've been hit. Usually just an idiot not paying attention at a red light. Nothing major, so a few hundred for a new bumper. Nothing that made me question the future value of the vehicle. This one does. I've looked into it before. I definitely need to look into the diminished value.
Posted on 5/29/18 at 9:04 pm to Man4others
Not always. I worked a claim out of college that the old guy hit a curb and they blew. Expensive due to the (bags, seats, seat belt, seat belt fasteners, etc) are mandatory replace for safety. Depends on total damage but yes it adds up. Now a days, a door ding at the mall is 2-3k. Matching paint, blending panels. OP, it is what it is. It's unfortunate and a hassle.
Posted on 5/29/18 at 9:06 pm to KG6
LOL, I was in a wreck recently and the body shop called me to say that the estimate was $10,500 due to all the framework repair which would be required. He said he could probably "find a way to raise the estimate to $11,500" which would then total the car, based on the blue book value. "Your call", he said.
I thought about it for a day and decided to just have them repair it. I could have gone either way, but I liked the car and realized that if it were totaled, I wouldn't have a car to trade in when I went to purchase a new vehicle.
Still happy with the choice I made.
I thought about it for a day and decided to just have them repair it. I could have gone either way, but I liked the car and realized that if it were totaled, I wouldn't have a car to trade in when I went to purchase a new vehicle.
Still happy with the choice I made.
This post was edited on 5/29/18 at 9:10 pm
Posted on 5/29/18 at 9:08 pm to HarveyBanger
quote:
Will not total unless you completely destroyed it which it doesn’t sound like you did. Especially with no airbags
I was in a wreck with a buddy 6 weeks or so ago. Audio A4 with no visible damage, but it was totaled because we got rear ended and it fried the computer that pretty much controls the car. There's really no way to tell until they look at it.
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