Bad driver's around nice cars

[BullShifter]

This is how nice my car was until tonight. . . .


On my way from the shop, some body decided to make a left turn into my car. I was the only car for 2 miles!!! HOW DO YOU MISS THAT? Going 60 mph & bang right in the driver side of my car. Pretty much damaged from front to rear bumpers on the drivers side and some front suspension. It was too damn could to pull the wheel off, but just from shaking the tire on the ground(like you would check for suspsion play with the car raised) it felt like the upper A-arm or ball joint is severly messed up. Not even safe to drive in this condition, so his insurance is WILL pay for a rental until my car fixed right. The insurance company might even "total" it out - i hope not - but if they do, I will be selling a complete 91 civic si interior(headliner to carpet, every nut, bolts, screw, etc)


Heres the damage front to rear
Bumper - fender

Fender

Door - it's creased hard to see in the pic

Rear fender with slight damage

[IceCold]

Thats shit man, sorry to hear bout that. Hope ur able to fix it, hate to see sumthin that sexy be torn apart.

[Dumped91Hatch]

That doesn't look like it will be totaled to me. But you never know what those dumb ass insurance people will do. That sucks man! Hope they don't total it. Good luck.

[90civicracer]

Yeah it doesnt look like it in the pix but u never know, my friend got hit and it didnt look that bad but it totaled almost $4,000 to fix it...all picked up by the other guys insurance (his car is only worth like $5,500)

[Autocratic_1st_Gen]

If they do total you will probably have the option to buy it back for a couple hundred $$.

-Dustin

[BullShifter]

Originally Posted by Autocratic_1st_Gen

If they do total you will probably have the option to buy it back for a couple hundred $$.

-Dustin

I know, but the car was almost perfect until that asshole hit me. Where am I gonna find another 1991 Civic Si, in that good of condition? Cars only worth $2500 or so to the insurance company. Shit a new door alone from Honda is $500, I know I can get the parts much cheaper but if they fix it only OEM parts will be used because thats what was damaged.

[cot]

That really does suck. I've never had to deal with this, but is there no way to get the insurance company to recognize the added value of the work you've done to the car?

At least keep in mind that at high speed like that, you're very lucky to be ok, and really alive for that matter.

[BullShifter]

I'll say some of my skilled driving played a role, otherwise I probably would have ended up in a ditch rolling a couple two tree times. Trust me I swerved & did everything possible to avoid it.

I don't know what will happen until I talk to the insurance agents, he got a message the minute I walked in the door. I'll work with them in any way to repair that car. We both had the same insurance company & my dad has worked there for 35 years, so I hope that helps.

[GTA]

that really sucks... hope all goes well in getting it fixed..

[i_a_n112784]

If it is totaled, you need to ask about buying it back, it will cost a couple hundred, and that is just deducted from the check they will write you for the damage. I got rear-ended sitting at a stoplight by a school bus....just alot of minor stuff, I got close to $2000 after buying back the car, then I put $50 worth of new tail lights, and sold it for $1500. The car wasnt worth more than $2000, but I made around $3500 from the accident and selling the car.

[slave]

Maaaaaaaaan, thats sucks majorly, hope it all works out hey!

[Magik Si]

Originally Posted by cot

That really does suck. I've never had to deal with this, but is there no way to get the insurance company to recognize the added value of the work you've done to the car?

At least keep in mind that at high speed like that, you're very lucky to be ok, and really alive for that matter.

First to answer this question...no...they don't give jack shit about the "added" value of a car, they consider year, book value, mileage, and overall condition.
They go to three dealers/repair places (usually) and get a price of what these places would give for the car in perfect condition (usually not much). Then they average all this out with some bizarre mathematics and come up with a price...if the cost of repair is more than 70% (on average) of the 'value' they have determined, then they will write it off.

Next...assuming they do write it off...DO NOT give them the option of letting you buy back the car. They are going to make you an offer, which is going to be completely unacceptable...and tell them so. You had a perfectly good running car until their customer hit you...now you don't. They will eventually come back with a higher number...or the same one...tell them that the only way you will accept that offer is if they let you keep the car with no deduction off the settlement...9/10 times they will accept that.
Why...you ask? Because if you do find another si you can use this one as your parts "donor" and switch all that is still good from one to the other...OR...you can sell off everything from your 'deceased' Si and recoup some of your lost $$$.

Also...as far as a rental...no they will not pay for a rental for an extended period of time, usually you get a week. Typically they give you a couple of days after they make an "offer"...doesn't matter if you've settled or not.

Were you injured???

If so...even mildy...go to a doctor, physiotherapist and be checked out!

Second...and most important...if you settle for the car...DO NOT sign off on personal injury! You may do that and six months from now your back goes wiggy and you are screwed. GET CHECKED out!!!

How do I know all of this right off the top of my head?

This happened to me three weeks ago:

I only got $1000.00 for my car...but...I got to keep the car with no deduction off of the 1K. Any usable parts will be going on this:

The red one was actually my 'parts' car until I got into the accident...I bought it for $325...now I'm driving it...and I'm about to start ripping usable stuff off the gold one, and sell the rest

Good luck!

Jason

[BLU CIVIC]

that sux....

[BullShifter]

I talked with the insurance company today - They ARE paying for a rental for 30 days and WILL repair the car if the damage is less than 80% of the value. I'm still waiting for claims & adjusters to call - this is fuckin' bull shit, thats all I can say.

I did check the suspension today and I'm almost 100% sure there is NO damage, but last night it felt as if the A-arm was busted.

The thing that sucks "if" they decide its totalled and I do buy the car back, then I can get a salvage title in which case only liability is available. Also retail value greatly decreased, not that a '91 civic si is worth more than $2500 or so, but the fact is that the car was almost perfect - i'd say about 90%. Only bad things were 1 tiny rust spot, 1 tiny ding in the wing, few rock chips, & a slightly worn drivers seat. Every Si I see For Sale is complete junk or all riced out.

[Magik Si]

Originally Posted by jackasssi

I talked with the insurance company today - They ARE paying for a rental for 30 days and WILL repair the car if the damage is less than 80% of the value. I'm still waiting for claims & adjusters to call - this is fuckin' bull shit, thats all I can say.

You're definately lucky there...I got 10 days with my rental. Also, I'd bet money that they "will" write it off.

Originally Posted by jackasssi

...and I do buy the car back,...

Again, DON't "buy" the car back...fight them for that to be PART of the settlement...your had a "near perfect" car before their customer hit you...if nothing else, you can part it out...sell the parts on the forum and ebay and stuff and make a LOT of what the car is worth back again, plus your settlement...a pain in the ass yes...worth it...yes.

Jason