Picked up my caR yesterday and this happens this morning

[erikv11]

LOL on that but hey, why not? No harm in asking as part of the discussion to make a point but don't actually expect them to take it seriously, unfortunately general car insurance doesn't work that way. Some brand-new-car, specialized policies maybe, but not for an accident involving an 18 year old car with north of 100k miles.

If they want to total it based on dollar value your best bet may be explaining how much you just spent on repairing the car, as suggested above. It's not a legal argument in any way but may get you sympathy. In my experience insurers can be generous with the dollar value, it's all going to come down to repair costs (which unfortunately can also be high).

Good luck, let us know!

[configsys]

I was upfront and told them that I literally just had major work done on the car and sent them the invoice and receipt. The agent from Allstate asked for my debit/bank information so they can deposit funds into it right away and said it was necessary so the process can begin but I declined. The way I look at this, if they deposit funds and later on the amount is not enough to cover the repair cost, it may imply that I was happy with that settlement and I would be stuck with the rest. He acted like the system he was using inputting the data would not allow him to continue but lo and behold, it worked!

The initial estimate they gave me based on the Allstate Mobile App (the one you take pictures w/ your smartphone and send it to them for an estimate) is $635 + the rental. It seems to me (and I'm hoping), it is only the bumper that needs to be replaced/repaired however the right exhaust is a bit bent too. I'll know more next week.

I appreciate everyone's response and keep you all updated. Thanks!

[configsys]

Well, the insurance did total my vehicle but I opted to keep the car. The estimated repair bill after I dropped it off totaled $3.1K. I settled with them and they cut me a check which almost covered the repair costs I had just spent. I'm in the process of repairing the damage myself. So far it seems all I'll need are the 2 bumper mount brackets ($17.89 ea). I'll try hammering it out first and planning on just stripping the paint off the bumper and having it re-painted.

So in the end, I still have the car but just with a 'salvaged title'. I guess it couldv'e been a whole lot worse, at least I still get to drive and enjoy it.

[bmdubya1198]

Well, the salvage title shouldn't be a problem if you're keeping the car anyway. Glad you held on to it!

[jimmy57]

Did they ask you for the title or any title app paperwork?
I kept my 2004 V70R after hail totalled it and the title on it is not marked over a year later. They never asked me for the title and I thought maybe they did something to mark it but it has not changed. Beats me.

[Clemens]

glad you got to keep it.

Also, wasn´t there a way to unsalvage it? At least in California you could, if I remember correctly (I read that almost 20 years ago, so I might be wrong)

[abscate]

You can wash a title through another state but it really isnt worth the trouble. The buyers who don't want a salvage title are the ones who can't inspect a car and figure out if its a flood victim or whatnot.

Just keep your accident report, your repair receipts, if you ever think you will sell, and tell the story of how it ended up with a salvage title.

If I found someone and washed a title, the level of trust falls to near zero.

[mrbrian200]

I passed on a salvage title S60 a few years back. Not because I'm afraid of the salvage title. I looked at the vehicle but had to walk because the seller (a used car dealer in IL) didn't have the documentation of what/why/how/repairs that the Indiana DMV would have required to get plates for it. Some states are very picky about this. My sister knows someone who moved in from out of state who had to give up a salvage title car they tried to bring in because they either never had or kept copies of this stuff.

[abscate]

Yes, you have to understand what hoops both your insurance company and DMV will make you jump through BEFORE you buy. if you worry about future sales value, its more important.

If you are buying a cheap car for a cheap ride that you will drive to End of Days - less important

The Devil never turned anyone away for having a salvage title, of course.