Car total loss?

[gavinl]

Hi all, my car just got side-swiped by a truck and looks like it's going to be a total loss.

I read about the procedures on total loss being declared by insurers but cannot find one about whether I have time to remove my aftermarket parts like stereo, wheels, etc.

Anyone with experience to share? I have about 48hrs before an assessor comes to see my car and should I wait or remove the aftermarket stuff now?

 

[Propflux01]

You may get alittle more for the aftermarket stuff, but not a what you paid or what it is worth. I am not an expert but have been in similar situations. If you want to keep the stuff for say, a new car that will accept those items, take them off, put the stock stuff back on, and get what they give you. One key is to clean up the car well before they come. A clean car = a well taken care of car to the average person. that may be all the difference between getting wholesale or closer to retail for the car.

 

[gavinl]

Thanks for the reply Tim.

My concern is can I do stuff to the car (like the stereo and wheels off) before the assessor come look at the damages?

I still got the stock parts that can be replaced back.

 

[TooManyWheels]

The car is yours, you can do whatever you want with it, as long as you are not removing something you are expecting to be reimbursed for in your claim. Time should not be an issue either, if your premium is paid and you sustained a loss, then you are entitled to reimbursement, period. Have no qualms about rescheduling with the adjustor, and telling him why. They encounter this all the time.

My experience is that insurance companies value aftermarket parts at about a third of retail value (assuming you declared them in the first place), so I would certainly remove them if they can be used elsewhere.

[ February 25, 2004, 05:41 PM: Message edited by: TooManyWheels ]

 

[sbc350gearhead]

Just put the original parts back on. The car will be sold to a junkyard anyway.

 

[gavinl]

Thanks again guys! Since I'm claiming the other party's insurance I'll remove all the goodies I have in my Taurus and wait for the assessor to take pics of a stock looking car.

 

[cryptokid]

clean that car, espically underneath and the engine compartment. make it look new and you will get more $$$.

 

[gavinl]

Right! I'll clean up the engine bay once I get my wheels and stereo outta there