So my car is a "total loss"
10-02-06, 03:50 PM
#1
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So my car is a "total loss"
On thursday, Sep 21st some inattentive driver slammed into the side of my SC and insurance is claiming the car as a total loss 
He first hit me on the side as I entered the intersection
His front bumper slid across my door
Got caught in the rear quarter/wheel well
Which tore it apart, and tore off his front bumper
His damage was relatively minor
He also had rear end collision damage unrelated to the accident
It happened in the morning at an unlighted intersection. I was on the main road, where the left two lanes were blocked with traffic, and I was on the right most lane going about 15mph. There was a small two way cross street into a residential area and as I went through the unmarked intersection, he hit me from the side
Insurance company says the car is a total loss and the body shops are quoting like 7000 to fix it (majority of cost is in labor and parts for suspension, and rear quarter panel area).
There is no frame damage, and damage is is for driver side fender, suspension assembly, and rear quarter panel area/wheel well.
My vintage SSR DeColtes are messed up.
I am going through his insurance company and it's kind of dragging. Still have not determined liability. The driver of the car was not the owner, and the driver was not under the insurance policy. The insurance adjuster mentioned that some CA law limits insurance payouts to $5000 regarding something called "permissive driver"?
I have a few witnesses who work at the restaurant where the accident occured in front of.
I don't want to get shafted by his insurance company, as my insurance was only liability.
Any help is greatly appreciated.
This sucks. I waited so many years to find my 5sp SC and this happens in the middle of my restoration.
When determining the value of the car, how can I show that the 5sp's are worth more than the autos?
He first hit me on the side as I entered the intersection
His front bumper slid across my door
Got caught in the rear quarter/wheel well
Which tore it apart, and tore off his front bumper
His damage was relatively minor
He also had rear end collision damage unrelated to the accident
It happened in the morning at an unlighted intersection. I was on the main road, where the left two lanes were blocked with traffic, and I was on the right most lane going about 15mph. There was a small two way cross street into a residential area and as I went through the unmarked intersection, he hit me from the side
Insurance company says the car is a total loss and the body shops are quoting like 7000 to fix it (majority of cost is in labor and parts for suspension, and rear quarter panel area).
There is no frame damage, and damage is is for driver side fender, suspension assembly, and rear quarter panel area/wheel well.
My vintage SSR DeColtes are messed up.
I am going through his insurance company and it's kind of dragging. Still have not determined liability. The driver of the car was not the owner, and the driver was not under the insurance policy. The insurance adjuster mentioned that some CA law limits insurance payouts to $5000 regarding something called "permissive driver"?
I have a few witnesses who work at the restaurant where the accident occured in front of.
I don't want to get shafted by his insurance company, as my insurance was only liability.
Any help is greatly appreciated.
This sucks. I waited so many years to find my 5sp SC and this happens in the middle of my restoration.
When determining the value of the car, how can I show that the 5sp's are worth more than the autos?
10-02-06, 03:57 PM
#2
Its not that bad.....Get any underside damage welded and straightend out. Get suspension parts from the bone yard and ebay
Go get a "wide body" fender kit. some 97'+ front and rear bumpers, little bondo, little paint, little love, and its all better.
Then you have a killer looking wide-body 5spd SC.
If you work at it and hunt, you can do this for $5k
Go get a "wide body" fender kit. some 97'+ front and rear bumpers, little bondo, little paint, little love, and its all better.
Then you have a killer looking wide-body 5spd SC.
If you work at it and hunt, you can do this for $5k
10-02-06, 04:00 PM
#5
Lead Lap
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Yeah there is no frame damage which is good. Unfortunately, I liked the SC with the stock body, so body kits are totally out of the question. I really like the stock lines of the car. The AC lip+sideskirt kit is probably the most conservative kit that I would consider.
If there are any lawyers or insurance specialists that can chime it, it would be a great help. I really want to get my baby back on the road again.
If there are any lawyers or insurance specialists that can chime it, it would be a great help. I really want to get my baby back on the road again.
10-02-06, 04:20 PM
#6
Lexus Test Driver
I don't think you can claim in any fact that the 5 speeds are worth more than the autos, because I really don't think they are. They are just aren't very numerous, but most of the time they don't cause prices to be really any higher on used SCs. It's just to us enthusiasts, who really are dying for 5speed because of future plans, that makes us willing to pay a little more for them.
Sucks about the accident, but to me that honestly doesn't look like 7000 worth of damage. You want to see 7000 worth of damage? check this out, total cost of repairs was $8000+ after an initial estimate of $7500 - a $1000 deductible = $6500.
Sucks about the accident, but to me that honestly doesn't look like 7000 worth of damage. You want to see 7000 worth of damage? check this out, total cost of repairs was $8000+ after an initial estimate of $7500 - a $1000 deductible = $6500.
10-02-06, 04:28 PM
#7
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I know that I can repair the suspension area and front fender + bumper very inexpensively, the only part I would need repairing is the rear quarter... but how would I be able to prevent my car from becoming a "salvage title"?
Since the car is a '92, (low book is around 6k) it's very easy to go over the cost of damage > 50% * car's value needed to deem the car a total loss.
Since the car is a '92, (low book is around 6k) it's very easy to go over the cost of damage > 50% * car's value needed to deem the car a total loss.
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10-02-06, 04:30 PM
#8
but how would I be able to prevent my car from becoming a "salvage title"?
Or if your buddies with your agent, see if he/she can work some magic.
I liked the SC with the stock body, so body kits are totally out of the question.
From an insurance point of view, its going to be hard to get more money than what the car is worth on paper. You may have the lowest mile, nicest SC under the sun, but it all goes by VIN code. Crappy as it may be. I would start looking around for the parts.
10-02-06, 04:55 PM
#10
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She'll be back on the road, but it'll never be the same. What added salt to the wound was that I stopped by the DMV the same day and my custom "JZZ30" plates just came in
10-02-06, 05:05 PM
#12
Its not that bad.....Get any underside damage welded and straightend out. Get suspension parts from the bone yard and ebay
Go get a "wide body" fender kit. some 97'+ front and rear bumpers, little bondo, little paint, little love, and its all better.
Then you have a killer looking wide-body 5spd SC.
If you work at it and hunt, you can do this for $5k
Go get a "wide body" fender kit. some 97'+ front and rear bumpers, little bondo, little paint, little love, and its all better.
Then you have a killer looking wide-body 5spd SC.
If you work at it and hunt, you can do this for $5k
10-02-06, 10:06 PM
#14
Keeper of the light
iTrader: (17)
Totaling that car out is a GOOD thing. Let them total it and pay whatever it is booked at. They'll offer it back to you for literally nothing (probably around $800). Do some smart shopping and you can have the car and extra cash in your pocket.
PS-
^ I see a trend here........
PS-
He also had rear end collision damage unrelated to the accident
Last edited by O. L. T.; 10-02-06 at 10:48 PM.
10-02-06, 10:23 PM
#15
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Totaling that car out is a GOOD thing. Le them total it and pay whatever it is booked at. They'll offer it back to you for literally nothing (probably around $800). Do some smart shopping and you can have the car and extra cash in your pocket.
PS-
^ I see a trend here........
PS-
^ I see a trend here........