Accident advice
05-09-17, 04:05 AM
#16
just remember no paint job is better then factory, id tell the insurence i dont want the car and try to get them to write you a check for what it's worth retail, looks like that quarter panle is buckled.
05-09-17, 06:12 AM
#17
Lexus Fanatic
I don't agree that the car can't be repaired properly. Modern body shops do great work, I have no doubt the car can be repaired to where nobody will know it was hit. Issue here is the lower value of the car with its age and how much this repair is likely to cost.
05-09-17, 06:54 AM
#18
Pole Position
Thread Starter
Now if they do total the car, here is something to consider. Check with your auto body shop and see how cheaply they can repair the car within your acceptable limits. Then find out how much the insurance company will sell the car to you. Just making up numbers here, but say they total the car and give you $27,000 for it. Your auto body shop says they can have it looking decent for $11,000, and the insurance company will sell you the car for $1000. So it costs you $12,000 and you pocket the $15,000. Now you do have a salvage title, but you only paid $12,000 for it and if you keep the car a few years what difference does it make what you later sell it for.
05-09-17, 07:51 AM
#19
I was wondering if this was possible. Appreciate the head's up as this would certainly be something I'd consider. I always see cars with the "salvage" title for sale on eBay and figure someone is making money on them. I assumed that sometimes the body shops may buy them and flip them. I'll talk to the owner of the body shop and get his opinion on repairing the car if it's totaled. FWIW, Progressive told me yesterday they could total the car once repairs exceed 50% of the value. To me, this solidifies that it will be totaled.
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jrmckinley (05-09-17)
05-09-17, 02:04 PM
#21
Pole Position
Wow glad you're ok. Aren't you the guy that just came from a LS430? I think I posted on one of your threads last week. Bummer, hope it's not totaled.
05-10-17, 02:17 PM
#22
Pole Position
Thread Starter
Just visited the body shop- I feel good about what they will do to the car. It was like a high end exotic and luxury car lot - they're the only Tesla certified repair shop and pull cars from central/north FL, parts of GA, and AL. Then there were Jags, Mercedes, BMW's, Audi's. It's why I chose this shop- they've been around 35 years and are renowned for their work on luxury cars. Initial estimate is $8,200 but the guy I met with laughed that off. He thought it would be around $15k and felt very confident about that. He said it wouldn't total because it requires 80% of value to total it. They will have the car for about 30 days so I'll be in my Cadillac XTS rental for a while. I'm hoping it won't total as I'm not seeing any 460L's for sale right now that I would want. I also am confident in my diminished value consultant that I can hire to negotiate and get me a check from insurance on this since the accident wasn't my fault.
05-10-17, 05:47 PM
#23
Advanced
BTW! The insurance company tells YOU what they will do for you...... NOT you tell the insurance company what you want.
05-11-17, 04:54 AM
#24
Pole Position
Thread Starter
I agree that a factory paint job is preferred but a good body shop can perform magic on repairs. I have a Silver Charger SRT that was involved in two separate deer hits and you would never know both sides (hood, fenders, doors) had damage to it.
BTW! The insurance company tells YOU what they will do for you...... NOT you tell the insurance company what you want.
BTW! The insurance company tells YOU what they will do for you...... NOT you tell the insurance company what you want.
05-11-17, 05:23 AM
#25
Lexus Fanatic
Telling the insurance company what shop you're going to use and telling them to total the car are two different things. His point was you cannot choose to have the car totaled, that's up to the insurance company.
05-11-17, 06:46 AM
#26
Advanced
05-11-17, 06:51 AM
#27
Lexus Fanatic
Originally Posted by Chuckinnj
Thanks for posting my reply! ^^^^^^^
05-11-17, 11:21 AM
#28
Pole Position
Thread Starter
05-15-17, 10:31 PM
#29
Racer
So sorry to hear about your new LS, jr. 
Glad you're alright and that the car was the only thing damaged. Hope the drunk driver is kept off the road and that the middle car's driver recovers from any injuries they may have incurred. Completely agree with you that it's the "other driver's insurance that is paying for all of it (eventually)" and hope Progressive acts in only your best interest. Truly a shame since you searched long and hard to acquire that gem of an LS. Will be following this thread and hoping for the best outcome for you, my friend.
Glad you're alright and that the car was the only thing damaged. Hope the drunk driver is kept off the road and that the middle car's driver recovers from any injuries they may have incurred. Completely agree with you that it's the "other driver's insurance that is paying for all of it (eventually)" and hope Progressive acts in only your best interest. Truly a shame since you searched long and hard to acquire that gem of an LS. Will be following this thread and hoping for the best outcome for you, my friend.