The S2000 might be gone. Hit by school bus. Estimate damage ??

[SearchMaster]

As for the comments about asking for compensation because of "depreciated value"; in my opinion this is a waste of time. Most insurance companies will tell you to get fucked leaving you to have to dealing with hiring a layer to fight for it costing you more money. In the end, if your car receives quality repairs you shouldn't have any trouble selling it for market value.

That hasn't been my experience at all, though the payouts have been small. For one of my two accidents, I was sitting still turning into my office complex when a car was ping-ponged into me, and I received a small amount for dimunition of value (basically was just a somewhat heavily scratched bumper on a 200K mile car that wasn't even worth fixing). I think it's the law in my state though; the car wasn't worth more than $3500 to begin with so I didn't haggle over the amount paid out (which was ~$100 I think).

In the OP's case, he's dealing with an older car but more desirable, extremely well-kept (from the look of things), and the difference between a pristine version and a near-totaled version could be a high amount. Many people are scared off by a "major accident" reported on CarFax.

 

[NutBucket]

He said I can write you an estimate with 1 qtr panel replaced but they won't agree to it so he did the estimate with just fixing the panels. That was just $3200 to my surprise.
So I'm guessing my worst case scenario is take the $4500 and have it fixed for $3200.
The collision is inside the dealership so I'm sure it as reputable as it can be.

Depends on the state I think. For example in CA the insurance company can't tell you what shop to use and they will pay for whatever shop you choose. But at the same time it is unlikely that the insurance co will hand you a check. Most of the time they will pay the shop directly.

 

[tailes151]

Depends on the state I think. For example in CA the insurance company can't tell you what shop to use and they will pay for whatever shop you choose. But at the same time it is unlikely that the insurance co will hand you a check. Most of the time they will pay the shop directly.

Generally speaking, if an insurance company specifically directs you to an auto-shop, they are taking on a liability by backing that shop's work. This is something that they don't want to do.

You have the right to have your vehicle repaired wherever you would like to -- but the insurance company only owes you for "reasonable repairs." Ie. you can take your car to a lambo dealer for repairs if you'd like, but they aren't footing the whole bill.

Generally speaking, it's a wise idea to take your car to multiple shops and send copies of the estimates to the insurance co., but only send in estimates for the shops you would be comfortable repairing your car. They are most likely going to pay you based on the lowest estimate. Supplemental payments as needed.

If you own the car outright, you can get the check directly in your name if you provide them a copy of your title. If there is a lien holder, they will either pay the shop directly, or also include the lien holder on the check. Most states require insurance companies protect the lien holders interest.

Things to also keep in mind: Not all states require insurance companies provide you with a rental vehicle, and not all insurance policies provide coverage for one anyway.

Never a bad idea to ask for depreciated value as well. Again, not something all states require be paid (and you certainly won't get a lot for an older vehicle), but if your state does include it as a collectible damage, you may as well request it an see what you can get. Though, it is your burden to prove which can be a bit of a PITA. My recommendation would be to call a few dealerships and ask for them to email you a brief letter stating their opinions on how much being in the accident has lowered the resale value of the car.

 

[NutBucket]

When I had an incident a couple years back the shop I chose was about 35% higher than the insurance company affiliated shop. They paid the bill. I'm not sure if CA law has any verbiage about "reasonable" repairs.

What I can't remember if is whether the car was paid off at that point.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

As I said before...

Make sure to ask for deprecated value though. Will hurt resell a good deal.

Have you asked for that yet?

He can ask all he wants, but unless there is insurance coverage for that (which is unlikely), they will never pay it.

 

[Imported]

I don't get why your insurance company isn't doing anything? If they are, then I just can't tell. Are you just going through the insurance company of the bus? I got rear ended a couple years ago and my insurance handled everything (the car ended up totaled) and went after the other insurance company to recoup costs.

 

[tailes151]

Good info on (dis)allowance of diminution of value by state HERE.

 

[Midwayman]

He can ask all he wants, but unless there is insurance coverage for that (which is unlikely), they will never pay it.

Diminished value is strict liability when claimed on another party's insurance. Unless disallowed by state law. The trick is usually proving it. Insurance coverage for it usually only matters when you claim it against your own insurance.

 

[uclabachelor]

Depends on how much you love the car, I would get an insurance quote at the body shop of your choice and get a diminished value assessment at http://diminishedvalueassessment.com/ then present everything to either your insurance company or the other party's insurance company, get a check, and then decide what to do.

Or just get the repair done at a body shop of your choice and go through your insurance company for a no hassle transaction and let your insurance do the leg work.

 

[kaerflog]

I think I stated somewhere in this thread that I only had liability on the car which is why I'm not going through my insurance company.
I haven't been driving the car at all which was why I lowered it to liability. Yes I own the car outright.
I have to go through the bus insurance. Its a FPITA.
The car is in great shape. The seats are in the best condition for a 2001.
To this day, I still get compliments on how nice the car is. Makes me want to keep the car but I'm not a bachelor anymore.

On a side note: I was subpoena for court. It was for "careless driving" for the driver.
I was curious as he had to go to court. On the police report, it shows 4 kids went to the hospital. In all honesty, I didn't think it was really that bad.
I was about to find out why he had to go to court but the fucking state trooper that wrote the ticket didn't show up so the case was dismissed.
I was so damm pissed. Had to take a day off from work to go to court.
I was eager to find out whats going on too.

 

[kaerflog]

I've posted pictures of the car before.
The seats are like brand new.

 

[kaerflog]

When the school bus hit me.

 

[zylander]

^^ In reply to the above post.
I called several Honda dealerships in town asking if they had a collision center in house.
1 did. 2 others recommended the same place.
I went to the recommended place and he told me $6200 including replacing one of the panel.
The 2nd place I went to was the collision center inside the Honda dealership.
Hes the one that was straight up with me.
He said I can write you an estimate with 1 qtr panel replaced but they won't agree to it so he did the estimate with just fixing the panels. That was just $3200 to my surprise.
So I'm guessing my worst case scenario is take the $4500 and have it fixed for $3200.
The collision is inside the dealership so I'm sure it as reputable as it can be.

Whether a shop is certified by, affiliated with or located in a Honda dealership doesn't necessarily mean they are a top quality repair shop. Most shops that get referrals from dealerships are most likely getting those referrals because they are giving kick backs to the dealer or have some 'special' arrangement in place. Just because a shop is located in a dealer doesn't necessarily mean they repair hondas better than everyone else, their techs have the same amount of knowledge mine have.

As stated before, pocketing the $4500 and having another shop repair for $3200 would be a mistake. Your car has not been torn down yet and I can guarantee you there will probably be more damage under that bumper that is not included on the estimate. Once that car gets torn down that $3200 estimate is going to go up. Take your car to what ever shop you like and are comfortable with, give them the insurance estimate and let them go from there. Additional damage that is not yet known will be added to the estimate later and billed to the insurance company.

Finally, when going through an insurance claim, body shops DO NOT set the price, the insurance company does. The insurance company sets the labor rates and they (along with the shop) determine what will be repaired vs replaced. I get people coming in all the time with, for example, $2000 worth of damage to their car asking me to "write it high" so they can get paid out more. It doesn't work that way, there are repair standards which the insurance follows. What ever some random shop writes will be thrown out the window once the insurance inspects the car for themselves.

 

[kaerflog]

Updated.

 

[Jimzz]

Updated.

You should file a deprecated value claim with them now that its fixed.