I just fought the insurance company and had them cash me out for similar situation.

In your case, it looks like you might have wanted them to give you the car and $19K cash. Similar to what I did. You would have been $7-10K better off. They will do that easy. If you decide to fix it on your own sometimes you save money. You could have parted out what was left for some good change. I know this is looking in the rears. But, you don't have to accept the repair when there is such major damage. You can negoiate. I'm not saying you didn't try. Maybe you got really screwed by the insurance company etc...

However, I think we can all learn from this here.

Sorry for your loss. :-(

I wish you good luck as well.

 

Without going into the details. The initial estimate was botched when it came out at 7,700$ Repairs started immediately on the car.

2 weeks later, new estimate at 14,000$...

And now 3 months later we're at 19,000$...

Car is fixed and looks great. But is worthless and pretty much forbids me from getting a new car like planned (I changed car ever year...)

Had it been totaled initially with a real estimate, gap insurance would have kicked in, would now have a new car, etc...

 

Sounds like the typical fubar by a bad shop. I would have demanded a new car after the second botched estimate stating the car seems to be damaged beyond reasonable repair and mandate the insurance company replace the car with a like unit. That's how it works in Cali. Sorry to hear about your misfortune.

Sounds like you should just drive it and get your moneys worth out of it at this point.

I too used to get a new car every year because I was a FORD A PLAN member and could make money selling my car at the end of every year.
It looks like you would lose too much money if you were to sell this in the next 3 years or so.

Just enjoy the car I'd say. I love my Z and I don't think it would be that hard to live with for the next 5 or so years and I've owned mine 4 already.

Good Luck ...

 

This was my first ever insurance claim (other than cracked windshield) so I had no idea how things would go. Plus, I'm Canadian and the systems are a bit different.

I'll probably end up bitting the bullet on that one, but before I give up I'm trying to get some form of reparation. A check for a couple thousands $ would be a good compromise.

I'm not getting in a full blown lawsuit for that one. I'm sure the car is fixed correctly. Squeaks and rattles are ever present in that car, with the things I've put it through...

Thanks for the comments guys.

 

Oh, Canadian law??... It looks like your in Ohio..... So, I have no idea how that law system deal with this type of thing.

If your talking US law and insurance. You have some recourse.

I don't think in Canada they let you get away with as much. US citizens are sue happy and make money. I don't see or hear of big awards in Canada.

Yeah, a couple grand would be cool in your position. Enjoy the ride, bro !!!

BTW - I use structural foam to fix a lot of my squeaks and rubs of body panels. It works great and quiets the car down a lot at the same time.
Like I said, been there and gone through it all. Some times it's really frustrating taking care of a squeak. You have to be creative. Right now I have one in the dash of a new motor home. You can't use foam there. So, fiberglas material will deaden my rub under the dash I think. I've been chasing that one for a few months now.

 

Got an attorney involved last week.

Car is now totalled by insurance!

Great relief! Now looking for a new toy...

 

guess its time for that GT3? hahah

 

Great news !!! Sounds like in this case you'll either get a exact replacement that hasn't been crashed or some cash. Now the question is what was your car worth before it was crashed. That amount is the amount you should get.

Quick look on kbb show a retail value of $25,600. Mine you any extras you have added are not going to get you much above that number. I'd say a $27000 settlement without injuries wouldn't be out of the question.
Here is Cali the lawyers gets a third. So ..... $17,820 net.

I would still ask the insurance company on my own if they would give me $19000 plus the car. It might be too late now.
UNLESS you have injuries that you haven't mentioned.
The lawyer can help you claim those and I wouldn't take that part on by myself.

Just some thoughts to paper from a guy thats run the quagmire.

 

In Texas, Allstate requires more than 70% of the value of the car to total it....on my $30K car, that means it must exceed $21k in damage before its totalled....and on my car $15k in damages means its getting repaired.

 

Is that on kbb retail price? Or, on purchase price. If your car is worth $30 kbb you must have like a touring / track '07 or newer right, with low miles?

I think that is the way it is in Cali too.... At least that is what I expect and remember.... Good luck OP, GJ !!!

 

yup....an '08 with 1900 miles on it. actual valuation is probably slightly less but 30k makes for easy multiplication for those of us that are mathematically challenged.

 

Nice ... I wish I had one of those. In a couple of year maybe I'll trade up to the 370-380Z ... I hope, I hope.