bbaker04

I'm new here and I'm in a bind kindof nothing to big though, just looking for some advice. I just recently purchased a 92 SC400 with 175k from one of my friends. Well on Friday I walked outside my door to leave for spring break and a tree fell on my car. Now my insurance company came (progressive) and told me that it was $5800 in damage, all body damage. He said that the car though wasn't totalled b/c it wasnt 100% of the ACV. Now the problem is that they want to reduce the cost of the damage by using used parts on it, does anyone know if I'm required to allow them to use used parts or can I make them use new parts. Also, at $5800 i'm almost better off taking the check paying off the car, and pocketing about $1500, then selling it at a car auction or ebay as is. Any recommendations on what I should do.

Thanks in advance

aliga

iTrader: (147)

you have more pics of the damage?

newyorksc

my suggestion is pocket that $5800, get parts from Gazi
use the rest of the $ for mods

aliga

iTrader: (147)

to be honest, the sunroof is a easy fix, if you have some tools, will take you less than 10 minutes to replace.

bbaker04

Here's another pic, the main damage was the sunroof, the hood, the front bumper, and a crack in the roof next to the sunroof. I have a guy that could do it for a lot cheaper, i might have him do it and keep the car, i really like it, i'm just waiting to hear from the insurance company tomorrow.

bbaker04

can you post multiple pics in one post?

O. L. T.

iTrader: (17)

That is SOOOOO not $5800 in damage.

aliga

iTrader: (147)

take that insurance money, and get some nice upgrades for your car:

- body klit
- lextech cluster
- rims
- bigger brakes
- leatherseats.com

that tree falling is a blessing in disguise.

btw: i have a sunroof glass if you want

ot180

from my insurance experiece they cant use used parts unless you say. Unfortunatly i was told they can used reproduction parts instead of lexus. Dont know if its true, but thats what adjuster told me

bbaker04

thanks for the ideas, they adjuster told me that the most expensive part was replacing the roof, thats why he said he was going to look for used parts, I'd prefer for him to use new ones to up the value of the claim, but i'm not sure if I'm I can make them use new parts. I will be interested in a sunroof glass definitely, i'll know more tomorrow afternoon. Thanks

dentpusher

A good insurance company would total that car for $5800.00 in damage. They can use used parts which are in most cases better becuase they are not a cheap knock off that has to be worked to get it to fit right. If they gave you $5800.00 you could fix the car for half of that and have a few bucks to spend. I work with a lot of body shops and used to be in the insurance business and just can see that kind of money on that damage. I have a 97 and my car would be totaled if the dollar amount was that high on a claim. The new standards look at the year and worth of the car to determine what is a loss and what isnt. I guess thats progressive for ya. Just remember that dollar amounts on claims are negotiable.

Hermosa

The insurance company can't make you go to a specific repair shop. Take it to the dealer. The dealer will probably require new factory parts.

Sorry about the damage. Can you post another pic of the roof highlighting the crack in the metal?

bbaker04

unfortunately the battery in my digital camera died, i'll post some new ones tomorrow hopefully, the damage is a little more extensive than what it appears, and the windshield is cracked, not sure what that costs to get fixed...... essentially i'd like to get the most from the insurance company as possible hehe without having to get it fixed from them, but from a shop of my own choice


If you look at the bottom part of the sunroof picture, you can barely see where the crack is, its not very big maybe 3 inches at the most. though on the pic it looks more like a glare than a crack, i'll get some new ones tomorrow

bbaker04

lets say i wanted to take the $5800, and then sell the car in the condition its in, and use that money to buy a new sc400, is that possible? and if so how much do you think my sc400 is worth in its current condition?

thanks for everyones help

dentpusher

You can do that as long as the insurance company writes the check to you only. If you have a lien on the car the check is made to both you and the lien holder, and sometimes to you and the body shop. They have made it harder to take the money and run but nothing a few questions to the insurance company wont solve.