important question... car accident

[handmade34]

my car was totaled... does the insurance pay out based on what the value is if buying from dealer, buying from private party or trade-in value?????

I meet with the adjuster Monday

[safeinOhio]

1. Insurance Co. pays out as little as possible.

Find 4 or 5 exactly the same as yours, miles, year and options, from dealer lots. Submit those and subtract deductible. If not the same contact a lawyer.

[handmade34]

4. thanks...

looking at dealers, KBB, NADA, Edmunds, etc... I want to be informed when I meet Mon

[onecaliberal]

2. Look at the blue book value. That's about all you'll get.

[catrose]

3. And (if there's anything left to look at) they'll deduct for any kind of wear or imperfection

I got less because the door upholstery was coming unglued in one place. Thank goodness it was a Honda; they hold their value pretty well.

[handmade34]

6. luckily

it was in excellent condition... only small scrape on front right corner and that's where the car got hit

the tow driver insisted that I don't let the insurance company get away with paying less than worth... he said they will part it out and make money

[csziggy]

10. Not always - a number of years back my husband was T-boned and totaled his Envoy

Rammed on one side, fell over on the other. It was a nine year old car. Hartford Auto Insurance gave us about $2000 more than the Blue Book value I found online, enough that we didn't have to add much to buy a 2006 Prius.

I cracked up the adjuster because not only was I happy with the valuation, I told him that whoever ended up with it should salvage some good parts - the water pump was brand new and the sun roof still worked. Good thing since that is how my husband got out of the car while it was still on its side.

[Major Nikon]

8. A couple of things I've learned about insurance companies

1) Everything is negotiable
2) They will always try to low-ball you

[mercuryblues]

5. A piece of advice I learned from an insurance agent

Go clean your car. Take out everything, unless it was broken in the accident. Remove all the junk, mail, cups, garbage. bring a charged hand vac if you have one and wet paper towels or rags to wipe down the interior. That will show the adjuster you take pride in your car and they will take note of that when appraising it.

The next one is, you do not have to take their offer, you can negotiate to get more. Be prepared and know what it will cost you to buy a similar model and the KBB value. Even if you think it is fair, try to get a bit more. After all you will have the burden of shopping for a new car, changing the paperwork over at motor vehicle and with your ins company.

[handmade34]

7. good advice

my daughter had the car and kept it clean... it was in great shape... we just got back from the tow yard where we cleaned everything out of the car

[Nay]

9. If it had new tires or, for example, you had a new windshield put in, show the

adjuster the receipts. You'll get a little more money if some stuff on the car was brand new.