Trying to reverse car total decision

[sodomyslayer69]

Hello Everyone. I rear ended a car and my front was damaged. I have full coverage and went to a State farm in service shop for estimate. Their estimate had every single part in the front requiring to be replaced which it really doesn’t. The estimate is higher than my cars kbb value and it will certainly be totaled. I have also taken an estimate from a local shop where they can actually fix some of the parts and all the damage is in body so it won’t affect the functionality of the car. Can I ask state farm to consider the lower estimate and based on that not total my car? The estimate from state farm in service is 8200 and local shop is 5800. My car value is 7-7.5 k. Thank you.

 

[robbie_p]

@sodomyslayer69 Insurance can't - and won't - just ignore damages. Even the a lower bid, your insurance will factor in possible supplement (happens on 95% of estimates) and a salvage bid which immensely lowers the reparability of your car.

I have yet to walk back a total loss decision in my time as an adjuster.

 

[sodomyslayer69]

@robbie_p But is it possible to ask about and let them make the decision? Do I have that opportunity?

 

[yhjmkiop]

@sodomyslayer69 No. If it doesn’t make financial sense for them to attempt to repair the car, then they won’t.

 

[channah]

@sodomyslayer69 Your option is to let them total it and reduce the payout to you by the salvage value and have a salvage title on the vehicle. You then own it and can get it fixed to whatever level of repair you want. Depending on the state you’re in, the state may require the vehicle be inspected to ensure its roadworthy before you can register it.

 

[sodomyslayer69]

@channah I see. In that case I guess just totaling it is better.

 

[ginz77]

@sodomyslayer69 I mean technically you can ask, but they're going to say no.

 

[diana4jesus]

@sodomyslayer69 I know that you really want your vehicle to not be totaled, but you must look at it from the other direction.

If you were out buying a vehicle from a dealership or a private party and you found out the car was damaged beyond repair but the insurance company just waived it off and repaired it really cheaply to get it back on the road, you'd be pretty pissed about that, right?

 

[sodomyslayer69]

@diana4jesus Yeah makes sense. Thanks

 

[misulejoha]

@diana4jesus Need to pin this as the best explanation for this question that is asked every day.

 

[etgibs]

@sodomyslayer69 How do you know what does and doesnt need to be replaced? What is your expertice in when it comes to vehicle.repairs.

 

[sodomyslayer69]

@etgibs They want to replace my fender that has a scratch. I don’t mind driving with a scratch. Similar for my grille and molding. These do not need replacing in my opinion and I don’t mind having them as it is.

 

[thetruthseeker1983]

@sodomyslayer69 KBB is not a good valuation for the ACV of your car.

However, let's assume your numbers are accurate. The vehicle is still likely to be totaled at the 5800 estimate.

What state?

 

[sodomyslayer69]

@thetruthseeker1983 Its in Texas which has 100 % ACV requirement for cars being considered total

 

[thetruthseeker1983]

@sodomyslayer69 That's when they must total it, insurers can total before if they want.

You car has a salvage value too, that comes into play.

 

[jony1996]

@thetruthseeker1983 Yeah ours was totaled in Texas at about 60%. Still baffled why but whatever.

 

[sodomyslayer69]

@jony1996 Did they give you a decent amount for your car?

 

[jony1996]

@sodomyslayer69 Yes weirdly. It was almost brand new though so that’s possibly why. Whole thing was a mess.

 

[sodomyslayer69]

@jony1996 Weird.