Auto insurers and older cars

74DartSport

74DartSport

Joined
Dec 4, 2005
Messages
365
Location
Where Jackie Jr got whacked
So my daily driver a is an 07 RX400H. Bought used November 2023. More car than I wanted but wife loved it so I bought it. 133k miles at time of purchase with full documentation of all repairs through Lexus. April 2nd was struck from behind in traffic on the GSP. Notified insurance but held off filing a claim until I had the police report. Other driver admitted fault and has same carrier as I do. Take car to body shop recommended by them. Car is considered a total loss. Total cost of repair $4600, GAPPR report values car at $5200.
I feel the repair is high due to shop specifying only OEM new quarter and could be repaired less expensively with a used quarter.
Thoughts?

IMG_9687.webp
 
That'll buff right out :sneaky:

No really though, glad you're ok and that nobody was hurt.

With cheap cars, it's usually not worth it to keep comprehensive insurance, unless you're financing. The total threshold is usually 70% of the value of the car.
 
I would talk to local indie shops. The shop I use always helps me out.
And I wouldn't be afraid to argue the value with the insurance... Find some comps.
Good luck.
 
JeffKeryk said:
I would talk to local indie shops. The shop I use always helps me out.
And I wouldn't be afraid to argue the value with the insurance... Find some comps.
Good luck.
Click to expand...
Depends on the language of his policy. But he isn't going to find any decent replacement near $5,000.00
 
Might be worth reviewing this thread and see if contact with the consultant might be a match for your situation.

GON

Thread '(marketing material) Collision Safety Consultants vs Progressive Insurance total loss'

Didn't do research/ homework to validate the below story that Collision Safety Consultants was able to get Progressive Insurance to pay out an additional $11k USD on a totaled 2000 F350 with 7.3 diesel. I suspect this is a very best-case scenario and not common.

Progressive appraisal: $6786 USD
Collision Safety Consultants hired independent appraisal: $18,335 USD
Additional fund for the insured (less assumed fess) the Insured was able to get paid from Progressive: $11, 567

What is not known is what the fee Collision Safety Consultants charges, and if Progressive dropped the insured after...
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Used quarters aren’t much cheaper typically and will require trim time. Id either drive it as unit have someone do their best on it. A great PDR guy could make the dent look much better other than the paint but you’d still be in it for quite a bit.
 
Typically it is the labor and paint that cost the most. Even new OEM parts are typically not that much more than aftermarket or used after the extra labor is involved.

I forgot if it is accurate but last I saw body shop labor in my area is like $220 or $240 / hr, add another $40 or so for Tesla.
 
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How does a buyback work again, my in-laws did it.....one gets the car back as-is, and some money?

We suffered a total loss just last month, and were given 85% of the top range of KBB private party sale. There was an extensive report they provided showing how that number was arrived at. On a GM car I was ok with it. On my Lexus I'd feel like OP. So I'd like to keep OP's car as-is if possible, but would like to know what a buyback looks like.

From YouTube., I can envision the Lexus simply going to the crusher being a 2007--they'd for certain remove primary CAT(s), but Mark Levinson and all, into the crusher. I used to wonder like other viewers, how come you can't fix such a seemingly nice car, I'd drive that....the channel responded it isn't worth it. Implies we are a wealthy nation imho.
 
I went through the same thing with four body shops with my Ranger that was hit in the same area. Was my fault so I was going to pay. I have two more indy shops to try. If that doesn't work out, my son and I are going to beat it out the best we can. Bought the truck new and no way am I going to scrap it.
 
74DartSport said:
So my daily driver a is an 07 RX400H. Bought used November 2023. More car than I wanted but wife loved it so I bought it. 133k miles at time of purchase with full documentation of all repairs through Lexus. April 2nd was struck from behind in traffic on the GSP. Notified insurance but held off filing a claim until I had the police report. Other driver admitted fault and has same carrier as I do. Take car to body shop recommended by them. Car is considered a total loss. Total cost of repair $4600, GAPPR report values car at $5200.
I feel the repair is high due to shop specifying only OEM new quarter and could be repaired less expensively with a used quarter.
Thoughts?

View attachment 285033
Click to expand...
Can you get a dent guy to see if they can pull the dent then touch up the damaged areas?
 
They tent to write these off because they open it up and find more things broken, or it takes too long to get parts, or parts are suddenly not available, or whatever.

Take the insurance money and get it fixed yourself. Who cares if your 18 year old car has a salvage title.

If it were mine I would get behind what i could, beat it out, and rattle can it - wait for the next accident.
 
SC Maintenance said:
They tent to write these off because they open it up and find more things broken, or it takes too long to get parts, or parts are suddenly not available, or whatever.

Take the insurance money and get it fixed yourself. Who cares if your 18 year old car has a salvage title.

If it were mine I would get behind what i could, beat it out, and rattle can it - wait for the next accident.
Click to expand...

Behind you 100%
 
PandaBear said:
Typically it is the labor and paint that cost the most. Even new OEM parts are typically not that much more than aftermarket or used after the extra labor is involved.

I forgot if it is accurate but last I saw body shop labor in my area is like $220 or $240 / hr, add another $40 or so for Tesla.
Click to expand...
Interesting. What I saw last time I had to deal with auto body were labor rates that were like 1/3 the going. So they would bid body work at like $53/hr, though any shop was getting$150/hr to do work.

This was because of the direct referral scheme that insurance companies use. They force low rates, then use them as their “proprietary” basis of what they’re willing to pay. It’s all a scam. But even the independent non referral shops have to play with their rates as a result.

But I was very surprised at how low they were compared to other trades rates. And it was due to this.
 
slacktide_bitog said:
That'll buff right out :sneaky:

No really though, glad you're ok and that nobody was hurt.

With cheap cars, it's usually not worth it to keep comprehensive insurance, unless you're financing. The total threshold is usually 70% of the value of the car.
Click to expand...
I have always heard the threshold was 80%. Now with that number being lower coupled with the price of repairs insurance companies are having to pay nowadays, it is sad that we have to total these older (but still nice and functional) vehicles. I have a 2008 BMW 528i and I dread the day that I have to make a claim on that thing only to hear that it would be a total loss. Man, I love driving that car!
 
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