Insurance value vs market value question

[Owen Lucas]

With the new tires, struts, & new front brakes I have ~$5K in it, but book is a paltry $2500, maybe.

If totaled, the $5k in repairs would be considered as a refurbishment, you'd be lucky to get an extra $500 added to the value. A vehicle with this level of care should fetch a premium, on the high end of the spectrum. Insurance won't do that by default but an appraiser will.

 

[PandaBear]

I would tell them to buy me an identical car instead if they lowball like that.