Wife got in an accident today - Need Advice

[HawkinsHollow]

Wife got hit today (or at least that is what he said). I showed up as the cops were getting there and it seemed the cop was leaning towards putting the majority of the blame on her. That is neither here nor there, I will let the insurance companies duke it out. I have never made a car insurance claim, need advice about do's and don't, tips, etc. The car is still drivable, the passenger side door needs replacing. Any advice you can offer would be great.

 

[scootr]

See the official police accident report before you say anything about fault. Sure you need to call the insurance and let them know there has been an accident. Other than that it's pretty plain and simple. Sorry for your misfortune.
My Brother had a car accident last Wed. No fun dealing with the repairs etc

 

[gsganzer]

Exchange all factual information and then leave it to the insurance companies.

 

[jyoutz]

Exchange all factual information and then leave it to the insurance companies.

As long as there isn’t any medical involved.

 

[workinonit]

Take it to a shop that is approved by your insurance company. I didn't do that and it was not a good experience.

 

[oosik]

Last year I accidentally backed the Taco Wagon into a post. Put a vertical crease smack dab in the center of the tailgate.

Somewhat surprised. No repair - just replace the entire tailgate.

Be prepared for the bill. A new tailgate for the Power Wagon - $3500.

Hold on to your hat. The lettering on the tailgate - POWER WAGON. $100 per letter. The word - RAM - $300.

The insurance company didn't even blink at those prices.

 

[HawkinsHollow]

Nope, no one was hurt. My 12 yo son was complaining a bit about his arm that hit the door, but he will live. Side curtain airbags went off. I was able to drive it home just fine. It is mostly the passenger side door that is messed up.

 

[dodge man]

Find a body shop that you can trust and let the insurance company handle it. It’s probably not worth fighting over whose fault it was unless there is a video.

 

[dodge man]

Air bag deployed, two new doors, it will have to be put on a frame machine to straighten it out, I’d guess more than $5k in damage.

 

[HawkinsHollow]

Air bag deployed, two new doors, it will have to be put on a frame machine to straighten it out, I’d guess more than $5k in damage.

DANG!! But I don't doubt it.

 

[Eagle1]

Air bag deployed often a total loss by insurance Co.....

 

[oldnslo]

Like Eagle1 states frequently air bag deployed equals total loss.

 

[HawkinsHollow]

Like Eagle1 states frequently air bag deployed equals total loss.

Please excuse my ignorance but that means they "junk" the car and compensate us at or close to the KBB value?

 

[Eagle1]

Please excuse my ignorance but that means they "junk" the car and compensate us at or close to the KBB value?

Pretty much, they paid me like 15K for one and I fixed it for under 2500 after giving them 1200 for buy back and they marked it as hail damage not wrecked, still driving it today. Bought my wife a new ride with the extra so she leaves my car alone.

 

[coldsteelva]

To echo: air bag deployment is the airbag, inflator cartridge, headliner, plus 2 doors, trim molding, mirror, paint and it's a Renegade so not a high value vehicle so this will likely be a total loss. I'm sorry. Best thing you can do is search your local area for vehicles for sale TODAY that are close in year and mileage because I suspect you may need to negotiate with whichever insurer is the at-fault insurer to reach an agreed payout value. You do not have to accept whatever the first number is they hand you (unless it's advantageous).

Use the website of local dealerships and take screenshots of the vehicles/VINs/prices they are advertising; KBB is nice and all, but that is not the reality of the market that you may be living in.

 

[workinonit]

My money says they don't total it but who knows, depends on your company. Heck, you get 5000 bucks in damage hitting a dog. I recently hit a deer that caused 10,000 dollars in damage to my 2008 Tundra and the word total didn't come up.

 

[HawkinsHollow]

Pretty much, they paid me like 15K for one and I fixed it for under 2500 after giving them 1200 for buy back and they marked it as hail damage not wrecked, still driving it today. Bought my wife a new ride with the extra so she leaves my car alone.

I kind of hope that is what they do. It drove home just fine, I don't think it is too messed up. I have already been looking at new doors for it. I think the back passenger door is just fine. I did open my mouth while my wife was on the phone with the claims lady and said "oh yeah, it drove home just fine." Not sure how that will change the calculus of their decision. Not having to buy another over priced car right now and have another payment would be a good thing for us. We have 3 cars at the moment (including the wrecked one) so we have time to make a decision. Thanks for your help gentlemen.

 

[jyoutz]

Please excuse my ignorance but that means they "junk" the car and compensate us at or close to the KBB value?

Yes. But speaking from experience, Do your homework and research the selling values of a comparable vehicle of the same year, model, condition, and mileage in your local area plus or minus 250 miles. Look on Autotrader and sites like that and save the links to each one you find. When the insurance company makes you a cash offer, be prepared to tell them the price is too low and you cannot buy a comparable vehicle for that. Then provide the links that you found. KBB isn’t always realistic for your selling area. They will usually bump up their offer if your research shows reasonable comparisons at higher prices.

 

[HawkinsHollow]

Yes. But speaking from experience, Do your homework and research the selling values of a comparable vehicle of the same year, model, condition, and mileage in your local area plus or minus 250 miles. Look on Autotrader and sites like that and save the links to each one you find. When the insurance company makes you a cash offer, be prepared to tell them the price is too low and you cannot buy a comparable vehicle for that. Then provide the links that you found. KBB isn’t always realistic for your selling area. They will usually bump up their offer if your research shows reasonable comparisons at higher prices.

In my VERY preliminary research on value I saw numbers about $8000-$9000. I would be pretty OK with that I think. Especially if I can buy it back and and fix it up cheaply. How does the buy back thing work? DO they offer you that option or do you have to ask? Is that a thing that is negotiated as well?

 

[Eagle1]

Some will offer others you have to ask, value can be negotiated. How they code the disposition (wrecked, or natural damage) can make a difference in how you have to re register the car your state. Some make rebuilt title very unattractive but hail damage (etc) is just normal registration. In fact my same InsCo insured the car after I repaired it, no problems.