Fiance killed my car - advice on salvage?

pinkgyrl · 03-14-2014, 02:35 PM

I've only posted one time or maybe twice before - if I did something wrong, will someone give me a head's up? I only use a perfume forum besides having been on this one.

My fiance let someone wave him in front of a line of traffic and here I am - I am the only owner for 16 years (purchased and is a 1998 model). Insurance company claimed total loss for a repair estimate of 11k - had shadetree mechanic inspect vehicle - it appears that rear axle is bent and unibody *may* be twisted. The engine is fine - she started right up (and thus, the tears started again) - the car moves but, of course, the two side tires are damaged - rear is bent into the car. Most concerning for me is that the hatchback won't shut b/c the bottom of the car appears "smaller" than it did before below the hatchback (this car spun about 5 times in accident) - and the right door is about 1/2 inch above where it should be though I haven't tried to open it b/c right now it's shut tight - and I don't want people in the neighborhood messing with it when they walk by the car.

The insurance company is trying to claim so far 1600 to 3000 for salvage - and around $15K for total loss b/c of "hail damage" (3 rock hits) and "faded paint" (car is 16 years old!). This car has ran flawlessly for 16 years - only needed under $2000 of non-maintenance mechanical clean-up ever. It has around 140,000 miles (I don't have the heart to get into the car again to get the precise mileage).

Any advice on what to do with insurance company here? I've already tried to get a higher total loss value b/c of hard top and CD player, etc - but he took off $1000 which offset that for supposed hail damage and faded paint. (I have pictures - it hasn't been waxed for awhile).

I'm a foreclosure attorney; I don't deal with car insurance - so this is a new area for me - I've never totaled a car ether for that matter until I let a person that I shouldn't have drive a car that I loved. Obviously, I won't be getting another car like this with the total loss amount - do I want to deal with the salvage trying to beat their amount b/c of the engine?

Thanks for any advice - here are pictures:

03-14-2014, 02:35 PM	#1
pinkgyrl Stock Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Little Rock, Arkansas Posts: 6	Fiance killed my car - advice on salvage? I've only posted one time or maybe twice before - if I did something wrong, will someone give me a head's up? I only use a perfume forum besides having been on this one. My fiance let someone wave him in front of a line of traffic and here I am - I am the only owner for 16 years (purchased and is a 1998 model). Insurance company claimed total loss for a repair estimate of 11k - had shadetree mechanic inspect vehicle - it appears that rear axle is bent and unibody may be twisted. The engine is fine - she started right up (and thus, the tears started again) - the car moves but, of course, the two side tires are damaged - rear is bent into the car. Most concerning for me is that the hatchback won't shut b/c the bottom of the car appears "smaller" than it did before below the hatchback (this car spun about 5 times in accident) - and the right door is about 1/2 inch above where it should be though I haven't tried to open it b/c right now it's shut tight - and I don't want people in the neighborhood messing with it when they walk by the car. The insurance company is trying to claim so far 1600 to 3000 for salvage - and around $15K for total loss b/c of "hail damage" (3 rock hits) and "faded paint" (car is 16 years old!). This car has ran flawlessly for 16 years - only needed under $2000 of non-maintenance mechanical clean-up ever. It has around 140,000 miles (I don't have the heart to get into the car again to get the precise mileage). Any advice on what to do with insurance company here? I've already tried to get a higher total loss value b/c of hard top and CD player, etc - but he took off $1000 which offset that for supposed hail damage and faded paint. (I have pictures - it hasn't been waxed for awhile). I'm a foreclosure attorney; I don't deal with car insurance - so this is a new area for me - I've never totaled a car ether for that matter until I let a person that I shouldn't have drive a car that I loved. Obviously, I won't be getting another car like this with the total loss amount - do I want to deal with the salvage trying to beat their amount b/c of the engine? Thanks for any advice - here are pictures: