Other person's insurance won't pay for my repairs.

by monal » Tue Aug 04, 2009 04:04 pm
Posts: 3
Joined: 04 Aug 2009

I have a 2004 Mitsubishi Diamante VR-X. I got hit about 3 weeks ago. I chose to go through the other persons insurance, since they hit me. Now I just recently got a call back saying my car’s considered a total lost. I understand that it’s because the cost of repairs exceed the value of my car, but I just want my car fixed!! What can I do?

They offered me a little over the Kelly Blue Book value to sell it. But i don't want to sell it! Then they offered me the estimated cost of the repairs if I want to keep my car. I do want to keep my car, but it's obviously most likely going to cost more than the estimated cost to fix the car. So i'll have to pay out of pocket, plus have a salvage title!! It's so unfair and I don't really know what I actually can do, if anything, at this point...? Any advice?? I honestly just want my car fixed, nothing else.

BTW...i'm a broke college student. Bought the car around $17,000 4 years ago. have less than $1,000 to pay left on it. Wasn't looking to add on more payments, especially a car payment, since I got my student loans coming up after i graduate next may! Also my miles on the car, which is 80,000mile, is mostly highway miles because i drive back and forth to school a lot.

Total Comments: 4

Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2009 07:29 pm Post Subject:

I do want to keep my car, but it's obviously most likely going to cost more than the estimated cost to fix the car.



What makes this obvious?
The company isn't totaling the car because they think it'll cost more than the estimate to fix. They're totaling it because the damage is x% of the actual value of the vehicle. If you don't trust the shop that wrote the estimate, get one from a shop you can trust and negotiate.

But what I really don't get is why you are not happy with the total loss offer. If they're offering you a little over blue book, that's around $8000. You say you only owe less than $1000 on it, so you'll have more than $7000 to go shopping for another 6 year old Mitsubishi. That shouldn't be hard at all.

A quick auto-trader search turned up 7 2004 Diamante VR-X for sale ranging in asking price from $5,700 to $10,998 (all 7 with much lower miles than yours) for an average asking price of $8845.85.

So, with minimal neogotiating skills you should be able to score another 2004 VR-X (or some similar car) for, at most, about $7695.

Tell the insurance company you want them to pay you that amount and reimburse you for the actual cost of tax title and registration on your replacement. They'll probably do it.

Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2009 07:34 pm Post Subject:

Here is the thing... it SUCKS to be in an accident... especially when your vehicle is considered a total loss.

The other person's responsiblity is for your loss and no more. Your loss of the vehicle cannot be more then it's value. The state also dictate that the vehicle needs a salvage title if the cost to repair it is close or more then it's value. That is just the way it is.

I'm trying to think of another option but can't. Take the total loss money and buy another 2004 vehicle. These days I'm sure they are selling for less then they were when you bought your current vehicle.

Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2009 07:58 pm Post Subject:

Thanks for the replies. Yeah, there's nothing else i can do, and that those are my only two choices I can go with since I haven’t heard of anything else I can do in this situation. I thought there could’ve been a way to just have them fix it. I just didn’t want to take their total loss offer because I don’t have the time and effort to search for a new car; also I like my car. And to tcope, I agree…accidents do suck!!

Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2009 08:01 pm Post Subject:

Thanks for the replies. Yeah, there's nothing else i can do, and that those are my only two choices I can go with since I haven’t heard of anything else I can do in this situation. I thought there could’ve been a way to just have them fix it. I just didn’t want to take their total loss offer because I don’t have the time and effort to search for a new car; also I like my car. And to tcope, I agree…accidents do suck!!

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