I suspect maybe your insurance will provide some meaningful help toward you getting it repaired, if you ask.

If the adjuster generally agrees that the estimate of $6k -$7k you got is about what it will take to repair the car, maybe the adjuster will be willing to pay half (less your policy deductible) if you'll pay the remainder amount. Then, both of you will benefit with the insurance from not having to salvage the car and you saving the car - with the favorable outcome being both of you, each contributing about half the cost for this positive result.

Your talking point to the adjuster is saving your insurance provider from having to salvage the car, which they do not want to have to do, and saving you as a customer - - and you personally benefit by having the car repaired and keeping it for about half the repair estimate - for about $3k or thereabout...

 

That $6K - $7k guesstimate even estimated always turns out to be more when they start pulling parts apart. The 6-7 could end up $9k or better. To me it does not look like $6k damage but depending on what cost they put on the parts, like the headlights alone.

 

Accidents are the worst especially when not your fault. Like the others have said, glad she’s ok and could have been worse.

As someone who has been in your shoes, some of the things I learned and to keep in mind:

-some insurance companies are better than others Ex: Progressive has always been awesome, State Farm has been borderline negligently bad)
-as JG said, the costs can just keep adding up. Buddy of mine had similar damage and recalibrating the parking sensors was almost $2k alone
-had there been no wreck, what were your intentions with the vehicle?
-do you own it outright or is there a loan on it?

It sucks being in this situation but you just have to look at all the details. If it’s only cosmetic damage, could get it back to 100% but you’ll always end up taking a hit on the resale due to the accident no matter how minor. If you own the vehicle outright, could be a great opportunity to get into something different/newer/younger/better/etc. The part that sucks with a total loss is a new vehicle you’d have to pay taxes. But if you get a note, lots of places will throw that into the loan.

With the last year of the GS before the refresh, I would definitely game out the scenario of finding a replacement vehicle in addition to the other options. And FWIW, there’s no way I’d be paying anything out of pocket to help fix. If that was the case you might as well not have insurance to begin with.

But to each their own, sorry to hear you have to deal with any of this. Hope all the best for whatever you decide.

 

There is a loan on it with maybe 7-8k left. I put 11 down when I purchased it. I was hoping to run the vehicle for the rest of its life so resale wasn't too important to me. I'm between work so getting a new plan might not be possible. Also, I don't have parking sensors optioned on this. Maybe that will help.

 

My 2014 GS350 with 97K miles got hit in the front. Purely cosmetic with nothing leaking.
Headlights were not broken, but they replaced both headlights after finding a crack in the housing. They also replaced front bumper and grill, realigning hood, etc.
Total cost was about $9,300 from a local reputable shop. I think it will be a close call.

 

/\ This.... is the $ number I thought it would be taken to a professional shop that repairs the best.

If was me, I would let it get totaled, work up the loss check to max $, and get another one with lower miles and more options.

 

I agree!

As I said in a previous post; Personally, if it was my car I'd definitely want it to be a total loss...and be paid a reasonable pre-cash value (less the policy deductible of course) so I could go ahead and replace the wrecked car with another car of my choice - whether it's another Lexus 4GS or something totally different. To replace the wrecked car you'll probably choose to add some money to what you'll receive from your insurance provider so you can get a newer or better car as a replacement, but in the end you'll probably consider it to be a favorable outcome - - and you won't have to wait for the wrecked car to be repaired, or to deal with a repair outcome that you're not pleased with.
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After all’s said and done, please get a dashcam. There are too many reckless idiots who will come out blaming everyone but themselves just like the *******s they are. Dashcam has saved me more than once.

Hope it works out for you.

 

My 2013 with Luxury & Premium packages was recently totaled here in FL because of flood damage. The 'comps' the insurance Co. offered were rediculous. They just look for the same year & mileage cars but fail to look at the Carfax. #1 Comp had frame damage, #2 car wasn't sold & sent to auction, #3 small dealer went out of business & #4 car was in previous accident. My point is to do your research on the offered comps & not to accept the 1st offer.

 

This is great feedback and I agree, conversations with insurance should always be treated as “negotiations”. Curious, what type of insurance do you have? A friend who is going through similar conversations with his insurance (State Farm) has been really challenging. Wondering if there is a pattern of negative insurance company dealings during the accident claim process.

 

The above photo is the light leveling adjustment screw..