[Mike Atkisson]

Was involved in an accident this morning and my 2012 535i is a lot worse off than it was when we left the house.

Was hit on the right rear by a 1998 Chevy Pickup. My insurance said they do not send outafjusters and they would base repair estimates on pictures (unless I have car towed to one of their authorized repair centers).

Looking at these pictures any guess if it might get totalled? Rear control arm and axle (plus probably more) are broke so car cannot move on its own. Trying to see if I should start looking for a replacement while waiting for estimates.

[musclesmarinara75]

that looks like it might, not sure, but you got at least 7 grand in body work.. let alone mechanical

[spielnicht]

Sorry this happened to your car but glad you came out alright.

Your subframe/carrier is gone as well - that's $2K by itself. Highly likely given the car's age and amount of damage that it'll be totaled.

[EL Jeffe 5]

I bet it will get totaled

[ezaircon4jc]

Totaled.

[Cvx5832]

That’s done, chief.

[VAB5]

Agree--totaled.

[Trian]

Add on wheel and tires, totaled I guess.

How many miles on it?

[Mike Atkisson]

Car has 104K miles.

[musclesmarinara75]

did you start looking for cars, because looks like the group agrees that this will be a total loss

[Mike Atkisson]

Originally Posted by musclesmarinara75

did you start looking for cars, because looks like the group agrees that this will be a total loss

It appears everyone was right. Got word this morning the insurance company is calling it a Total Loss. Crazy thing is they told me it would be $5500 to buy the car back. Seems that is the value they are expecting to get from salvage auction.

Any advice on how to get the most money out of insurance? Initial offer doesn't look too bad, but I heard or read somewhere that they will increase their offer by $500 just for asking for more $$$.

[musclesmarinara75]

Originally Posted by Mike Atkisson

It appears everyone was right. Got word this morning the insurance company is calling it a Total Loss. Crazy thing is they told me it would be $5500 to buy the car back. Seems that is the value they are expecting to get from salvage auction.

Any advice on how to get the most money out of insurance? Initial offer doesn't look too bad, but I heard or read somewhere that they will increase their offer by $500 just for asking for more $$$.

Don't know about sucking out more money out of the insurance compan..y did you have any after market parts on there?.. try and get those tow hook covers off if you can, I got somebody that can use them... lol

[Mike Atkisson]

Unfortunately car is at tow yard now and will be going straight to salvage. Don't know how they would react to me taking parts off the car...

[musclesmarinara75]

Yeah... they would def be pissed

[spielnicht]

Usually if you can prove that you're swapping in the original parts in place if any aftermarket parts, they can't say no. It's still your car. The estimates they work with are based on the car being 100% stock - they don't factor in any mods or aftermarket parts. So any part you take out - the original one gotta take its place. I did this a while back when a drunk driver totaled my SAAB 9-3 that had rare Mille Miglia wheels and a bunch of parts that I invested into the car. Luckily I had kept all the original parts.

[anoller]

1) With the way the used car market is right now, go find 3-4 ads on autotrader or auto tempest similar to your car in similar condition. Use these to get a higher amount for your car. The inflation in the used car market is costing people more for replacement vehicles than what insurance settles for.
2.) when they offer $x dollars, do not forget to ask for the tax, tag, title and doc fees that you'd have to pay for when getting a new car. People forget this. If the car is 10k to purchase/replace, you still have tax,tag and fees… and you shouldn't have to pay them to replace your car that someone else totaled.
3.) don't forget the 'medical payments' - his insurance is required to pay out Med-pay since they hit you. Most people forget this exists.
4.) happy car hunting !! hope you find one you love !!

[Blue Angel]

The first offer from an insurance company is almost guaranteed to be a lowball. Push back hard, and like suggested above use used car ads to justify your position.

If they write your car off and give you a low offer they make money on the flip.

[H_T]

Also find same year / model / mileage for sale, with the price examples on hand for the insurance company. Tell them if you are buying the same exact car that is the price it goes for (which is high right now anyways).