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YOUR RESEARCHMy wrecked car is a Total Loss
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Use audi v-8
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We then replaced it with another used Audi V-8 which we bought from an Audi dealer.
Leading evidence: 'Use audi v-8' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'next best thing' (1 discussions; 0 report identifying it and 1 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Adjust arrived' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Suggestion
When my last car was totalled I had it towed to my home so that I could be present when the adjust arrived.
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If you can get to it at the towing lot that is likely the next best thing.
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Suggestion
I received a check for $20.5k after my deductible.
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Suggestion
When my sister totaled another MB, we wanted a check instead, so I prepared the following:
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The reason I went into detail about both avenues is because if you want to take advantage of soft prices to get into a newer vehicle, you may want a check, but in no event will they pay out more than the cost to replace the vehicle exactly.
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My insurance company called today to tell me that my
wrecked 1999 Carrera Cabriolet
is a total loss. In the adjuster's words, "It might take us $20,000 to fix it, but we might get in there and find it costs $40,000. We just don't want to get involved, and -anyway- that suspension could be damaged and it will never be right."
I agree. But now we argue over value. I'm waiting for them to call me with a number, but the body shop said I should do my homework and be prepared to put forward my own case for a higher value.
Anyone have any experience to share, or any thoughts on my particular situation?
It's a '99 C2 Cab in arctic silver, tiptronic (save the comments; my wife loved it), 81,000 miles, in very good to excellent condition according to the body shop.
I welcome any rational advice.
CP
Sorry to hear. I believe that insurance companies use the NADA value for losses. Most times that value is higher than a trade-in value, so you may be pleasantly surprised.
Sorry to hear that the car is totaled, but you might come out well from the deal. Drop speed demon a PM, as he settled with his insurance co. after his car was wrecked earlier in the year.
I'd also compile a list of 99 cabs with similar miles and Tip, along with any options that are for sale...be selective to include the ones with higher asking prices. That may help you make a case for your value that you will be seeking. GL CP.
My uncle used to be the president of an insurance company. When I had a car stolen and the insurer wouldn't pay retail, he told me to copy 3 published for sale ads and present those to the insurer for true market value.
When my last car was totalled I had it towed to my home so that I could be present when the adjust arrived. I showed him some print outs (Dealer/Autotrader/ Cars.com) of the most expensive cars like mine with the same miles and he gave me the higher price.
For cars that are total losses...do you get to keep them if you like for parts?
If they have to go away...do you get to remove after market equipment that you installed?
No you don't get to just keep the car but you do have the right to buy it for what the Ins company thinks the wreck is worth.
As for your personal upgrades those usually can be taken at no charge as long as you provide them with the OEM part. Ie a complete stereo/amps/speakers you can take out the good stuff and just throw the old oem stuff in the car in a box.
Personally, I have the car towed home directly after accidents so I can take off all of the aftermarket items replacing them with the stock items. If it goes to an towing lot after the accident they(the tow company) wont even allow you to take out the aftermarket radio head unit even if you replace it with the stock unit.
You can buy or have the car for parts I believe if you request to do so, from what I've "heard".
I have been able to go to the yard and remove my items directly from my car. It is quite the hassle, especially when they drive up with your old baby after 1/2 hour on the front of a forklift.. Yeck!
The best is as you say, do it before it gets sent to the ins company lot. If you can get to it at the towing lot that is likely the next best thing. It usually sits there for almost a week.
However, the option of towing it home really depends on the condition of your car and how wrecked it is. I personally wouldn't want a car towed to my house that is spilling its guts all over the place.
I had it out with AAA when I wrecked my 99' 986. They were going to fork out only $18kish. I presented them with several for sale ads that listed then for $20-23kish. I received a check for $20.5k after my deductible.
Good luck!
I lost my car ('03 M5) earlier this year in an accident (not my fault). The insurance companies use a proprietary database (similiar to NADA, etc.) to determine value. How difficult they will be is up to the company - you didn't state who it was. They will look at the car to determine the conditon (wholesale or retail) and make an offer based on that. Plus tax.
I came out OK on the M5 because it was immaculate and had low miles (they made an adjustment for that). In general, I don't think they make any allowances for aftermarket goodies, but the statements above are correct - you can take anything off that you want as long as you give them back the OE parts.
Glad you are OK (that's the main thing!) and good luck.
Michael
They do allow you to take items out of the car such as personal belongings but not aftermarket exhausts, rims, cd changers etc.. Consider yourself luck if they let you strip and replace parts in their tow yard.
By the time the car arrives to your home, the guts should already be empty.
After I took the most valued parts(stereo system, rims, ecu) I let friends from my car club take a few aftermarket items that I didn't feel like removing as long as they replaced them with the stock version. This was done after the adjuster came and left.
I never had the displeasure of wrecking my any of my Porches but a number of years ago my wife wrecked her Audi V-8. I was pleasantly surprised when they totalled the car that they gave us the full retail Kelly Book Value I pulled up on
www.kbb.com
. This was without even haggling about it. We then replaced it with another used Audi V-8 which we bought from an Audi dealer. I was able to buy it for between the Kelly retail and private party values. So with sales tax I came out very close to even. If they give you Kelly retail value for your car consider yourself lucky. I have never been able to sell a car for anywhere near the Kelly Blue Book retail.
My business partner totaled his Toyota Highlander this winter, 2004 base model with 58,000. The insurance company gave him $25,000 plus tax, less his deductible of $1,000. When he went shopping he found he could get a smilar year,mileage Highlander for about $18,000. He ended up with a 2006 Highlander Limited with 28,000 and only had to put in about $1,000. Not a bad deal at all.
In th event of total loss, you should be able to demand that the insurance company actually go out and buy you an identical car. Find one, just like yours, CPO from a Porsche dealer. Demand they buy it.
I did this when my mother's old MB was totaled and obtained the exact same car, same AMG kit and interior, same mileage (other driver's insurer eventually had to pick up the bill, but her insurer handled everything on our end)
When my sister totaled another MB, we wanted a check instead, so I prepared the following:
1. KBB with all options, excellent condition, exact mileage, dealer retail plus tax
2. 10 listings from MB's national search for exact replacement certified pre-owned cars
I then went to visit the insurance adjuster personally, and it was basically a friendly negotiation. We did rather well.
The reason I went into detail about both avenues is because if you want to take advantage of soft prices to get into a newer vehicle, you may want a check, but in no event will they pay out more than the cost to replace the vehicle exactly. So use that mentality, the "make me whole" mentality, and don't forget, only include certified comparables from Porsche dealers for as close to the exact options as your car had. Also, do not allow them to make up their mind on value without consulting you, immediately speak to the adjuster and send him comps and KBB, and be proactive in getting your price. It's all very negotiable, and they generally will want you in another car and paying premia ASAP
Lots of great advice in this thread, and I appreciate all of it. I've been slow to read it and respond because my Internet access has been down due to my [expletive deleted] satellite ISP.
I love the Canadian pricing idea, but the appraiser seems like a pretty bright guy. I doubt that would get by him. Now that my Internet is up, I'll be looking for comps - doing my homework for sure. I intend to let them suggest a value first, and, yes, I'm ready for a lowball.
I was able to get everything but the plates from the tow company yard shortly after the accident. No upgrades worth removing. It was bone stock. The appraiser kept asking me about aftermarket equipment, suspension upgrades, exhaust systems, and the like. I almost wondered if he wasn't trying to get me to claim something that didn't exist. I'm sure he wasn't, but that was the feeling.
As for shopping, I'm waiting a while to decide what to do. My kids already want me to upgrade to a Carrera S. My wife doesn't care what I get, as long as it has an autobox. Don't flame me, but there's some BMWs on my potential list. (HT's advice about making them find me a car seems solid, but we'll see what the first number looks like.)
For those who are interested, the insurer valued my car (after accounting for mileage and condition) at about 31,000. Adding in sales tax, insurance and fees, the pay-out is about $33,000. I didn't argue or haggle; I just said "OK, thanks."
YMMV, but that's my result. I'll be sending out the title asap.
Thanks for all the advice and words of support. Rennlisters are a great group, and this is the first place I turned.
CP
Well that sounds like a good payout. I had an accident with mine and it costed 20k CND to fix it. I can see why they would call it a total loss for yours, at the time of my accident my 02 C4S was still going for 78k CND
arnee - not sure; thinking maybe nothing. maybe a collector car. maybe another p-car (kids are agitating for one).
jumper - 20 grand u.s. was my repair estimate before the (certain to occur) supplement, so they logically totalled it. cosmetic damage looks similar, but I hit pretty f-ing hard so i think the hidden stuff may have been worse than the obvious stuff.
That's a solid number, KBB retail value assuming excellent condition for a 99 tip w/ 81K on the clock is ~29K.
Excuse my insistence on certified comps, I missed the 1999 part of the post.
Good luck with the next one. Wait for the PDK!
Go here:
www.autoloss.com
Call and talk to the owner Terry Fisher. He is a great guy to talk to and will explain the process involved in making sure you get paid what your car is worth.
