car totaled... insurance claims negotiation?

[z28dreams]

A quick question-

My car was totaled, and the insurance company offered me a settlement.

How negotiable is this figure? What points can I typically argue on?

I did some googling, but didn't come up with much.

My car:


His car:



I think I won [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[RoundGuy]

Don't have a lot of experience with this, but I'd go to Edmunds.com and find out what it would cost to buy your car from a dealer. You can key in all the pertinentt info like color, miles, options, ect.

If the insurance company's offer is higher, take it. If not, show them what you found.

I'm guessing they use NADA for their values, which should work in your favor. But, it never hurts to check.

[Rapidtransit]

basically everything Roundguy said. Use vehix.com, autotrader etc etc and look around for cars that have similar mileage to yours. NADA, Edmunds, KBB will all be pretty similar. Make sure you arm yourself with this information and treat negotiations with your insurance company just like you would buying a car. Remain polite but firm and let them know that you've done your homework. They may drag their feet a litle before they settle but they will settle. I can't guarantee this strategy works everywhere but in Massachusetts it certainly does.

[z28dreams]

Ya,

I'm looking at numbers in Edmunds and KBB. Can I include costs for like tax/tags/etc in the number?

[suzzer99]

Is it the other driver's ins. co or yours? If yours you'll need some kind of hard fast evidence to argue up. If theirs they might try to lowball you. Either way I'd be happy if you get around the middle KBB value (private party value I think).

[blinden84]

Man, when I totaled my beat up explorer that I bought for $900 three months earlier, and the insurance company offered me 3300, I about shitted my pants.

They gave me more then usual because of A) low mileage, B) new tires, and yes, they also gave me money for tax/title transfer, etc. So you may be able to argue more money if you have had any wearable parts recently serviced?

Time to finally get that elusive Z!!?

[KilgoreTrout]

Suzzer,

Based on the damage, I'm guessing the other guy was taking a right turn into traffic (like turning onto a road from a side street) and Hero smacked him, so it's the other guy's insurance that will pay.

[z28dreams]

I was coming home from work on 495. Another SUV rear ended that oldsmobile, and he skid into my lane, almost completely 90 degrees to me.

I'm not at fault, so it will be on the other guy's insurance.

I think I'm gonna wait on the z28 for now [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] The z28 'dreams' I have are to rebuild a 1st gen (68-69), but that will be a project for later when I have a garage and more money.

[punkass]

geez, the first picture didn't seem so bad...then the 2nd and 3rd pics looks like the first car got into another accident.

Glad you are ok?

[mrkilla]

how much off the KBB value is it? Both Private and Trade in. Usually I think its about 75% of the private value - deductable