front end collision....*cries*
07-03-12 | 11:56 AM
#16
Once the insurance company has looked at the car and deemed it totaled you can remove things that are noticeble as they will just send a tow truck to pick the car up. I recently did this with my father inlaws extra that he totaled. I had a friend of mine that had the same excact truck and we switched out his wheels, seats, tailights and removed the running boards and roof rack.
The reason is, once the car is deemed totaled, insurance takes ownership of your car (that's why you have the option to 'buy it back'). It then gets sold to a salvage place or auctioned so they can recover some cash. In exchange, you're getting payment from your insurance company to replace your car. If you're removing parts from the car after insurance has deemed it totaled and the value has been estimated so they can pay you, you're taking parts from a car that is no longer yours.
Sure people take parts and get away with it, but that's not always the case. They do check cars sometimes after they have been picked up. Sure they might not notice parts that are "swapped" but sometimes they do....and parts that are simply removed are a dead giveaway. Either way, messing with the parts after they have valued it and given you a payoff amount is illegal.
07-03-12 | 12:06 PM
#19
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,553
Likes: 3
From: Californ-i-a
This is one of the main reason I love this line. It keeps you safe in some of the worst conditions.
I am glad to hear you are okay and hope the best resolution. Think of this, I was in a 300 and moved to a 350. You could be looking at the same if not better...
*cough*ISF*cough*
I am glad to hear you are okay and hope the best resolution. Think of this, I was in a 300 and moved to a 350. You could be looking at the same if not better...
*cough*ISF*cough*
07-03-12 | 12:13 PM
#20
Although, yes, they usually just send a tow truck to pick you up your car and then insurance will never see it again....that doesn't mean you can take parts. Both times we had totaled cars in my family (one AAA, another statefarm I believe) after inspection a notice was stuck on the car saying it was illegal to remove any parts from this vehicle.
The reason is, once the car is deemed totaled, insurance takes ownership of your car (that's why you have the option to 'buy it back'). It then gets sold to a salvage place or auctioned so they can recover some cash. In exchange, you're getting payment from your insurance company to replace your car. If you're removing parts from the car after insurance has deemed it totaled and the value has been estimated so they can pay you, you're taking parts from a car that is no longer yours.
Sure people take parts and get away with it, but that's not always the case. They do check cars sometimes after they have been picked up. Sure they might not notice parts that are "swapped" but sometimes they do....and parts that are simply removed are a dead giveaway. Either way, messing with the parts after they have valued it and given you a payoff amount is illegal.
The reason is, once the car is deemed totaled, insurance takes ownership of your car (that's why you have the option to 'buy it back'). It then gets sold to a salvage place or auctioned so they can recover some cash. In exchange, you're getting payment from your insurance company to replace your car. If you're removing parts from the car after insurance has deemed it totaled and the value has been estimated so they can pay you, you're taking parts from a car that is no longer yours.
Sure people take parts and get away with it, but that's not always the case. They do check cars sometimes after they have been picked up. Sure they might not notice parts that are "swapped" but sometimes they do....and parts that are simply removed are a dead giveaway. Either way, messing with the parts after they have valued it and given you a payoff amount is illegal.
.
07-03-12 | 12:21 PM
#21
07-03-12 | 07:32 PM
#27
I hope they find that person that did this to you. Hopefully everything falls through and hopefully you don't get serious neck pains or anything!
Keep us posted.
I had a car accident with nearly the same damage as you, but i'd say a little less. The cost to repair was 12k so I don't think your car will be salvaged.
Correct me if im wrong but Cali's law was that dmg exceeds car value right?
Keep us posted.
I had a car accident with nearly the same damage as you, but i'd say a little less. The cost to repair was 12k so I don't think your car will be salvaged.
Correct me if im wrong but Cali's law was that dmg exceeds car value right?
07-03-12 | 10:48 PM
#30
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 3
From: Las Vegas
Had the car nice and prepped for wheels and meals, haven't had the wheels on for more than a week then this happens.
I was just minding my own damn business trying to make it to the gym, since my car is low on coils I drive at a more than safe speed. As I proceeded to head south towards the freeway (2 lights away from my house) some idiot decided to speed up and run the left turning lane on the opposite side of the street...I was just by myself and didn't get hurt that badly (thank god) the other negligent driver had a full car and decided to run after hitting my car. The authorities found the vehicle but no one to claim it, at the current neighborhood I live in I wouldn't doubt that it was an unregistered/stolen vehicle.I had the car towed to my garage since I've heard horror stories of AAA putting peoples cars in their lots and not allowing to let them take parts after the car is deemed salvaged. I am now currently uber depressed atm waiting for my claims adjuster to come and tell me the future of my car....