tfz_hebe89

iTrader: (1)

So my friend's new civic had into accident and the damage was severe until the car must be towed away from the accident spot. He was wondering how much the damage must be to be considered total loss. Let's just say his cost to repair the car is $8000, is the car "totalled' then?

anyone can help with this?

thanks in advance

pocky

iTrader: (12)

I believe it's 75% of the vehicle's value.

whoster

I also believe the condition of the car's frame plays into this as well.

A minor damage can be pulled and repaired, but severe damage to the frame of the car = totaled

darkdream

I don't think 8k would be a total lost... civic's cost what these days 16-20k?

tfz_hebe89

iTrader: (1)

my friend's civic's front is finished..even there's some liquid leaking from the underside of the body.. hood is only half and folded against the windshield. airbag was deployed, but no damage in the rear half of the car..

the estimate repair cost is $8000, and if 75% of the value damage is considered totalled...then 8000 does not qualify? coz I believe the car is now worth 15-16k and 75% of that would be 11000+..

pocky

iTrader: (12)

Also, engine damage is very costly, so you might be able to push for a total loss.

mmarshall

I'm not aware of any 75% rule.

In general, a "total" loss is when the estimated cost of repairing a vehicle, using OEM or aftermarket parts and labor, meets or exceeds the average Kelly Blue Book value (or whatever standard that particular insurance company uses to estimate used car value...usually KBB) for that particular vehicle. In that case, the insurance company is usually not required to actually pay for repairs....it can opt to simply compensate the owner for its current value.

However, it sometimes is not that simple, especially when you are dealing with wrecked vehicles that were formerly in in pristine condition, had a lot of expensive aftermarket equipment on them, or wehere the policy limits are unclear if all of the damage is covered or not...then you have special unique situations where insurance company managers and supervisors have to get in and decide the case personally with the vehicle's owner. Some owners, if it is a rare vehicle or one that is difficult to replace, want the car repaired no matter how much the damage or if it is enough to "total" it. Insurance company managers, and in some cases, even executives, then have to get involved.

Tha happened to a friend of mine with a damaged Honda CRX Si....something that is very difficult to replace. He got repairs covered that would have ordinarily have "totalled" it because it was a unique situation with a well-taken-care of car, and the company zone manager got involved.

Of course, this goes without saying, but if there is any evidence of fraud, like people setting cars on fire to collect on them (yes, it happens more than you think), all bets are off. People can go to prison for that.

blacksc400

iTrader: (4)

60-80% of value of the car, depends on company.

RON430

There isn't any rule of thumb. Generally the insurance company will look at it when the cost to repair is anywhere from 51 to 80% for a decision. My 2K1 GS4 was minding its own business driving down an aisle at a strip mall when a very important person on a cell phone just had to back out into it. Cost of the car is probably no more than 14 - 15K, repair cost is 7300, it goes in for the work Monday.

newr

My ins. agent said 80%

tfz_hebe89

iTrader: (1)

so it's all up to the insurance company..hopefully allstate declares it as total and my friend can get his money back.. he prefers the money back rather than his civic repaired..

btw appreciated all your inputs..