my car got totalled today

[DavidS]

So, I was in a very minor fender-bender 2 weeks ago.
http://forums.macresource.com/read.php?1...sg-1068839

The insurance company of the person who hit me accepted liability. The original estimate for the damage was about $1200. The body shop was closed last week due to the snow/ice in Atlanta.

I spoke with the manager today and the $1200 estimate has since ballooned up to over $4000. Since the car is 10 years old with 102,000 miles, they totalled it.

I'll hopefully get about $5000 for it based on local sales and kbb.com estimate. As much as I'm ready for a "new" car, I really really don't want a car payment.

We were looking at replacing our Sienna with my father-in-law's Dodge Caravan (his has a wheelchair lift, which we are going to need soon for my daughter), so that would be 2 car payments. Ouch!

I think that I'll be looking for a 2-3 year old used sedan. I need to start doing my research this weekend.

[bazookaman]

ugh. I know the feeling. after my wife totaled the honda we struggled to find a comparable car. Which was impossible with our settlement check of course. We ended up using our settlement + a freelance check I JUST got + some savings and ended up getting a little better car than we had. Still several years old. But no car payment.

[cbelt3]

Yikes ! What was the cause of the increase ? Need to make a boat payment ?

Good luck. And good call on the wheelchair lift,, they're darn useful for the folks in chairs. sorry to hear that she's going to be wheelchair bound, but your having the lift minivan will allow you to expand her horizons, which is a good thing !

[decay]

my 1991 Geo Prizm was totaled by the insurance company after I was rear-ended by a drunk.

the settlement check bought me a 1994 Geo Prizm. it's ugly and has rust but I don't have a monthly payment.

when that day comes, I think I'm gonna buy a used Honda hybrid, or maybe try a lease on a Kia Forte (40 MPG).

[Lew Zealand]

Yuk. As an owner of an older Volvo (and family member of about 5 totalled Volvos of similar age) I know that's the future of my car if it ever gets into an accident.

Totalling is all about insurance calculations, not necessarily the roadworthiness of the damaged vehicle.

[NewtonMP2100]

....bike to work now and my bum is as hard as a rock......and it cost me nothing......

[DRR]

From the accident you describe, I find it hard to believe that it's $4000 worth of damage? If it was the front of the car I would understand but I don't see what's costing so much. Liftgate, new bumper, rear quarter panels, maybe a tail light or two?

[decay]

NewtonMP2100 wrote:
....bike to work now and my bum is as hard as a rock......and it cost me nothing......

pix?

[SDGuy]

Lew Zealand wrote:
...Totalling is all about insurance calculations, not necessarily the roadworthiness of the damaged vehicle.

:agree:

Woe to you if you have a well-maintained, but older vehicle...

[deckeda]

The vehicle suffered structural damage underneath not revealed from the cosmetic blemishes. It got compressed and partially crumpled. No one wants to insure it because it can't be made as safe as it once was. Even if it drives OK. Same thing happened to me once.