[zx10guy]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

So, in preparation for the insurance discussion, you should get a few internet-sourced private-party sale values for it at 75,000 miles from KBB, Edmunds, etc. Then look up your state's regulations for what is allowed (by the insurance company) to be declared a total loss; most states are around 75% repair cost to private-party resale value. Some states are higher and some have no regulations at all.

As others have stated, frame/suspension damage and airbag deployment are cost factors. Also, the seatbelt(s) pyrotechnics probably fired; they are not always tied to airbag deployment.

Yep. When my 2006 Focus was finally done in by a rat with antlers, I went through the arduous task of haggling on the value of my car. I provided some comps that I thought were close enough but my insurance company wouldn't accept them. Oh well. I fought them as far as I could which was just over a month. Had to settle as my body shop was saying my insurance company is about to cut off paying for storage fees and I'd be responsible for the any storage fees there after.

What I did do was to boost the payout by showing improvements I did to my car such as the newer/nicer head unit. The claims adjustor agreement I should get paid for that.

[BMWCCA1]

Every claim I've "won" has required months of negotiation. Insurance companies are not your friend—even your own! At first they argued with me about whether or not the car was a total. I have no idea why they were so obstinate about it. The car was obviously a total.

When they told me they could no longer store my wife's car where they had it while we argued, I told them to just bring it to my house. No one gets paid until you sign off on the claim. Not the adjusters, the body shop, anyone. If you can afford to wait them out, they will become reasonable just to clear the claim. They started with me around $4500 on my wife's Year One 128i Sport Package in a rear-end total. By the time we were done they paid me $11,500 which is more than we paid for the car 5-years earlier and than twice what we paid for the E90 we bought to replace it.

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by BMWCCA1

Every claim I've "won" has required months of negotiation. Insurance companies are not your friend—even your own! At first they argued with me about whether or not the car was a total. I have no idea why they were so obstinate about it. The car was obviously a total.

When they told me they could no longer store my wife's car where they had it while we argued, I told them to just bring it to my house. No one gets paid until you sign off on the claim. Not the adjusters, the body shop, anyone. If you can afford to wait them out, they will become reasonable just to clear the claim. They started with me around $4500 on my wife's Year One 128i Sport Package in a rear-end total. By the time we were done they paid me $11,500 which is more than we paid for the car 5-years earlier and than twice what we paid for the E90 we bought to replace it.

Attachment 3611123

I’m so glad you posted this. There are so many people who think whatever the adjuster says is gospel and you can’t do anything about it. Nothing could be farther from the truth.


Also, I see all these comments speculating the suspension is damaged and even the motor mounts. Where are they getting this from?! Nothing the OP posted gives an indication it was more than mostly a really bad sideswipe. I see nothing about this damage that is going to cause this X5 to be declared a total loss.

[RockCrusher]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

I’m so glad you posted this. There are so many people who think whatever the adjuster says is gospel and you can’t do anything about it. Nothing could be farther from the truth.


Also, I see all these comments speculating the suspension is damaged and even the motor mounts. Where are they getting this from?! Nothing the OP posted gives an indication it was more than mostly a really bad sideswipe. I see nothing about this damage that is going to cause this X5 to be declared a total loss.

I see some pretty bad damage to the wheel. That means the suspension/steering was subjected to some force from the side swipe.

If the steering has been subjected to any collision forces some auto makers require the steering rack be replaced.

The only way -- other than a lucky guess -- to know the extent of the damage is after the car has been subjected to a thorough damage assessment.

Even then at least in my experience as the repairs progress more damage is found and the cost to repair goes up. The repair cost can jump by 10% or more.