My sister was recently in a car accident (she's okay) where her trunk was completely smashed in and her left fender was torn off revealing the engine compartment. The damage amounted to $8500, but the bluebook value on her Accord is $13,000. Since the damage is less than the bluebook value, her insurance company (State Farm) wants to repair the car. However, she and her husband want them to total the car. She is pregnant and has a toddler and so worries about the safety of a car that requires so many repairs.

Does anybody have any advice on how she might go about getting State Farm to total her Accord?

Thanks,
S2KALI

 

That sucks...having been through this very thing before (... ...) have the damage reappraised. Make sure they do a complete tear down of the car so that ALL the damage can be identified. They always will find more damage when they do this. Unfortunately damage to the rear of the car isn't going to be as expensive as damage to the front for obvious reasons.

Also, make sure to have them identify if there is any frame damage. You may have an angle there, as well.

Stress the fact that you are concerned about the car's safety and make sure that State Farm knows there are small children involved. I don't know how much weight that would carry, but it's bound to be a factor.

Typically, a car is totaled when there is damage that if repaired, the cost would exceed 70% of the resale value of the car. So you're only about 600 dollars off of that, it's hard to believe they would be that hard to convince to total it...

Most importantly, glad your sister is OK.

Hope it works out...!

 

gregstevens,
Somehow I knew you would respond. I appreciate the quick and thorough response. I'm sure this will help.

S2KALI