[bmwmike335]

Hey everyone, i think this is my first post in the 5er forum but been a long time member here... I got my car in Dec of 12 and have barely had it for 9 months, i got into an accident on the freeway the other day and pretty much killed the car.. below are some pics attached.. the pics are pretty clear and you can tell from the pics alone just what (major stuff) is damaged and will need to be replaced.. keep in mind this is a 2013 and w/ 9K miles...im starting to get a little worried that the insurnace will not declare it a total loss since its so new and the market value is so high on these cars...

anyone who knows anything about totalling or insurance procedures can you give me ur 2 cents as to weather or not this will be a totall? payoff amount is 49K.

thanks guys..

and yea im so depressed : ( absolutely loved this car

[dr.mba]

First off sorry for your loss, I am glad you are fine. I am no expert but looking at these pictures I would say its totalled. Fixing this would certainly cross 35K and I believe insurance companies total when its more than 50% of MSRP cost to fix (at least in Canada)..

MBA

[ClassM]

No thats not total enough. At least you are ok.

[bmwmike335]

Originally Posted by ClassM

No thats not total enough. At least you are ok.

honestly i hope your wrong because the body shop said this will take months to fix. i dont see how they could fix all this it seems so much work..

[Silververtu]

Sorry to hear your loss but at least you and your passenger are fine. How many airbags have deployed? It looks total to me but I am no expert.

[The X Men]

Looking at the damages, the frame seems to be intact and it doesnt look like there is any engine damage. You are looking at replacing the whole front end, some minor mechanical parts under the hood, maybe some welding and re-shaping of the internal panels and frame, some suspension work, new door panel, new hood, new front fender panels and rims.
You are looking at maybe $25000 at most, sorry to say, it takes a lot to total a brand new 5 series. I would sell the car as soon as you get it back, it will never be the same.

[bmwmike335]

Originally Posted by The X Men

Looking at the damages, the frame seems to be intact and it doesnt look like there is any engine damage. You are looking at replacing the whole front end, some minor mechanical parts under the hood, maybe some welding and re-shaping of the internal panels and frame, some suspension work, new door panel, new hood, new front fender panels and rims.
You are looking at maybe $25000 at most, sorry to say, it takes a lot to total a brand new 5 series. I would sell the car as soon as you get it back, it will never be the same.

its a lease..cant really sell it im stuck with it.. this sucks

[LACSTER]

I'm glad you're okay and can write about this. Based on the photos of your car it looks
repairable and I highly doubt your insurance would total it.

Bring it to a certified BMW repair shop so they can get it back to factory specs.

FYI: I think I pulled a muscle looking at those pictures.

[The X Men]

Originally Posted by bmwmike335

its a lease..cant really sell it im stuck with it.. this sucks

If its a lease, you might want to talk to BMW to find out how they want you to fix it so you will not have any problems when it comes time to return your lease.

[igom3]

Unfortunately this does not look like total loss to me. I'm in commercial insurance industry,(some personal) and it depends on the insurance company, but total loss is declared if the damage exceeds 75 or 80% of the car's value. They can fix pretty much anything now days and I don’t see any problems with your lease return. This is just MO. The most important thing is you are ok 

[igom3]

Also be sure you take the car to reputable shop so this is fixed correctly. You don’t want someone who cuts corners because of insurance companies always negotiate their inflated estimates.

[bubbahead]

Check your insurance policy..I'm not sure if its standard on most policy's but I have 'GAP' insurance in my policy. Its something to the effect if you write off your car within 2 years, GAP insurance covers the difference between what a car owner owes and what his or her car is actually worth.

Just call up your broker and ask..

[igom3]

Originally Posted by LACSTER

I'm glad you're okay and can write about this. Based on the photos of your car it looks
repairable and I highly doubt your insurance would total it.

Bring it to a certified BMW repair shop so they can get it back to factory specs.

FYI: I think I pulled a muscle looking at those pictures.

+1

[igom3]

Originally Posted by bubbahead

Check your insurance policy..I'm not sure if its standard on most policy's but I have 'GAP' insurance in my policy. Its something to the effect if you write off your car within 2 years, GAP insurance covers the difference between what a car owner owes and what his or her car is actually worth.

Just call up your broker and ask..

Every BMW lease has GAP coverage

[bake]

Glad you are OK. I agree that this does not appear to be totaled. Like someone else said, the threshold is around 70% or so before they declare a total loss.

[kthankzbye]

Glad you're good and in one piece. I know geico has a 75% total loss policy. It looks more like body damage to the front end but no engine components looks damage. Keep us updated!

[HighConcept]

Originally Posted by bmwmike335

honestly i hope your wrong because the body shop said this will take months to fix. i dont see how they could fix all this it seems so much work..

Unfortunately, he might be sensible in denoting that fact. Hopefully, luck may accompany you within your claiming process.

The good news is you can always replace a vehicle, but YOU aren't replaceable...so I guess that's something to be optimistic about at least.

Goodluck with everything.

[bmwmike335]

I know most of you are saying it's not a total but have u guys checked out the inner roof?? The side airbags ripped up the interior. Also I know the photos don't reflect this but that front pass rim is super dented I'm wondering it the axles are messed up. I don't know I guess I'm just in denial and really wishing they total since I can't afford to make payments for 5-6 months when my cars in the shop and I'm not even driving it.

Im so bummed

[MELLOWYELLOW06]

Usually 75% of the value declares a total loss.

[bmwmike335]

Originally Posted by MELLOWYELLOW06

Usually 75% of the value declares a total loss.

I'll find out tomr. My payoff is 49k but I think my insurance goes off fair market price so whatever my car gets valued at. I'll let u guys know what I find out tomr.

Thnx for everyone's help....even tho it was things I didn't wana hear lol.

[Gilgorm]

Glad you are Ok. A highway crash is no fun especially if it was at high speed. Most of the exterior damage is just bolt on stuff. Based on your outside pics I doubt it will be written off.

My 2010 accident in my retired E60 cost $14,000 and took exactly two weeks to fix.
New parts included rear wheel rim, rear bumper, drivers door metal skin, front fender, front wheel well and entire left-side rear suspension. The car was beautifully repaired and I kept it for 2.5 years. Repaired parts included front bumper, drivers mirror, driver side rear door, rear quarter panel. However, there was no interior work or damage with the exception that every electronic nanny was overwhelmed and had to be reset.

If you are concerned about lease return have the BMW-approved body shop send the finished car to your dealer for a formal mechanical blessing. I did, even though I owned the car.
Best of luck and keep us posted on the outcome.

[BMWrules7]

Originally Posted by bmwmike335

Hey everyone, i think this is my first post in the 5er forum but been a long time member here... I got my car in Dec of 12 and have barely had it for 9 months, i got into an accident on the freeway the other day and pretty much killed the car.. below are some pics attached.. the pics are pretty clear and you can tell from the pics alone just what (major stuff) is damaged and will need to be replaced.. keep in mind this is a 2013 and w/ 9K miles...im starting to get a little worried that the insurnace will not declare it a total loss since its so new and the market value is so high on these cars...

anyone who knows anything about totalling or insurance procedures can you give me ur 2 cents as to weather or not this will be a totall? payoff amount is 49K.

thanks guys..

and yea im so depressed : ( absolutely loved this car

Hi mike,

Just be careful. Body shops typically underreport the damage intentionally so the insurance company will sign on.

Then, when all of the extra and hidden damage is uncovered, they will keep expanding the claim.

Suddenly, you are way past the total margin.

You might need an attorney to help you prove its totaled or otherwise can't be repaired.

Next, since the damage is this bad, try to work with a preferred vendor of your insurance company. Or, see if it is worth it.

Why? Because, if you can show that the vehicle was not repaired properly you might be able to make the case for the insurance company to buy it.

Also, make it damn clear to the insurance company that you want the car totaled. I ran into the situation where the body shop told the insurance company "I was in love with my car and I really want to save it". That wasn't true, but they tried to convince the insurance company (without my knowledge).