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Re: Car accident today need some input Posted by Ari [Email]  (#2847) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Ari) on Tue, 5 Apr 2005 12:40:48
In Reply to: Car accident today need some input, Debra, Tue, 5 Apr 2005 12:17:26 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
The bad news is that from an insurance standpoint, the car is probably worth only about $1500 or so. So theoretically, if the repairs cost $1500, they could total it.
To do the job completely right would be over $1500. That would be a replacement hood, repainted. That isn't that expensive. Of course, I assume your 16 year old paint has faded some, so the 'to do it right' includes repainting the rest of the car. That would blow the budget. But most insurance companies, rightly so, aren't going to make your car better than it was. And it would be better with a fresh total paint job.
The bumper is quite repairable - it's designed that way. A new bumper skin, and a few replacement pieces, and you're good to go. Maybe a couple of hundred bucks. A used replacement turn signal assembly is maybe $100 on eBay. A shop may be able to straighten the hood out and re-spray for $500 or so, or maybe find a used hood of the same color. It won't perfectly match.
All of that would come in at less than $1500 easily, ASSUMING YOU DON'T GO TO A SAAB DEALER. Just walking in the door to get the dome light replaced would total the car.
I would make it clear that you don't want the car totalled. That means you may accept a few bucks less, but don't get the car saddled with a salvage title. Or, if you don't mind that, see if they will give you the car back. It's best not to have it totalled, because depending on what state you live in, it makes re-registering a pain.
I'd ask around among your friends to find a decent body shop that is willing to work with you. Get an idea of costs before the insurance company gets back to you with an offer. Gather up any recent receipts for work you've done - usually anything in the past 30 or 60 days - anything older than that they tend to ignore.
Good luck, and sorry for your troubles. If they had only hit the Volvo instead!
posted by 192.249....
, Tue, 5 Apr 2005 14:10:22, Tue, 5 Apr 2005 12:40:48 <-- Viewing This Message
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