Wife got in an accident today - Need Advice

[jjeff]

My 2 cents if they fix it the insurance company is obligated to bring it back to pre accident condition, never admit fault even if it's judged you are obviously be honest though, weather or not they use aftermarket or used parts is up to you and insurance company and should be in policy. Any aftermarket accessories damaged need to be addressed weather or not they will cover it is usually in the policy.
Larger automotive insurance companies are penny pinching a holes in my experience with them and there adjusters are often not customer satisfaction focused so if your somewhat mechanically inclined do research on your own and bring up potential mechanical and body issues that may not be in the estimate to damage appraiser and body shop.

 

[NoTrespassing]

Good luck getting it back if they total it. From my experience and others I know, it can be very difficult.

 

[D&D]

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.

Right, the comps they (or contractor) pick may not be close to what is available in your area. Depending on your state, getting that vehicle reinsured after a total loss may not be cost effective either.

 

[Torvy]

This also brings up one of the hard things with auto insurance. You never know, until it is too late, if you have 'good' insurance. We have had the same insurance for over 33 years and while it is not the cheapest, they have been very good about claims and explaining options.

As for getting insurance after a 'total loss'. Many (most?) people only carry liability once the vehicle is paid off and deductible approaches the value. The vehicle will not affect liability coverage, typically.

 

[dodge man]

If just the one airbag deployed it might not be totaled. Some vehicles have a lot of airbags and when several get deployed it starts adding up.

 

[HawkinsHollow]

This also brings up one of the hard things with auto insurance. You never know, until it is too late, if you have 'good' insurance. We have had the same insurance for over 33 years and while it is not the cheapest, they have been very good about claims and explaining options.

As for getting insurance after a 'total loss'. Many (most?) people only carry liability once the vehicle is paid off and deductible approaches the value. The vehicle will not affect liability coverage, typically.

I was SOOOOOO close to putting this car under liability only before the accident, I am glad I didn't. If this gets totaled I will definitely drop it down to liability.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

Call your insurance agent. Follow his or her advice. Meanwhile, tell your wife to keep her yap shut.

 

[HawkinsHollow]

This also brings up one of the hard things with auto insurance. You never know, until it is too late, if you have 'good' insurance. We have had the same insurance for over 33 years and while it is not the cheapest, they have been very good about claims and explaining options.

As for getting insurance after a 'total loss'. Many (most?) people only carry liability once the vehicle is paid off and deductible approaches the value. The vehicle will not affect liability coverage, typically.

We have Progressive Ins., does anyone have any good or bad stories with Progressive? They are definitely one of the big boys. Also, say I do not like the way they handle this claim is there any penalty to cancelling with them after the fact and getting insurance with a different company?

 

[jjeff]

Yes, I was cheap had progressive. One of my old tacos burned, and was totalled. Progressive Failed to list a host of both factory and aftermarket options. Affected what they would initially pay. I ended up arguing with them on options the truck had. Like factory cruise control, eventually paid for the trucks factory options somewhat. ended up keeping aftermarket tool box and hitch. Another time my 4runner I owned was stolen from work gone for almost a month interior was trashed perp installed his own stereo system hacking apart the interior among other things, factory leather covering on steering wheel was ripped off, rear differential was leaking it was beat and involved in a minor wreck in that time frame. Progressive Cut me a check no where near what it was worth or the cost to repair. I kept it. And eventually sold it cheap fully disclosed it's history. I'm a slow learner when it comes to spending money on insurance when I think I'm "such a great driver" not anymore. If you have a body, repair shop, or someone who's knowledgeable working insurance claims might be beneficial to look them up possibly compensating them for there time and knowledge. Read and verify there estimates on what they will pay weather or not its totalled. my unfortunate experiences with progressive. Seems like more insurance companies are following the progressive penny pinching model these days though. USAA was great 20 yrs ago anyway.

 

[HawkinsHollow]

Yes, I was cheap had progressive. One of my old tacos burned, and was totalled. Progressive Failed to list a host of both factory and aftermarket options. Affected what they would initially pay. I ended up arguing with them on options the truck had. Like factory cruise control, eventually paid for the trucks factory options somewhat. ended up keeping aftermarket tool box and hitch. Another time my 4runner I owned was stolen from work gone for almost a month interior was trashed perp installed his own stereo system hacking apart the interior among other things, factory leather covering on steering wheel was ripped off, rear differential was leaking it was beat and involved in a minor wreck in that time frame. Progressive Cut me a check no where near what it was worth or the cost to repair. I kept it. And eventually sold it cheap fully disclosed it's history. I'm a slow learner when it comes to spending money on insurance when I think I'm "such a great driver" not anymore. If you have a body, repair shop, or someone who's knowledgeable working insurance claims might be beneficial to look them up possibly compensating them for there time and knowledge. Read and verify there estimates on what they will pay weather or not its totalled. my unfortunate experiences with progressive. Seems like more insurance companies are following the progressive penny pinching model these days though. USAA was great 20 yrs ago anyway.

WELL CRAP!!! We have 3 cars under full coverage with them. I hope they don't pull that crap, if so I will be insurance shopping.