Declared Total Loss in Car Accident by Insurance, and Want to Keep Car and Want Better Offer 

You want to keep the car as salvage and don't want to give it back to Allstate? What is the car, value after repair, what damage, cost to fix? Hmmm they cannot really push too much (I am sure some will try hard to close this case of their book) b/c you have to agree to an option that you are comfortable with. How much did they want to give you then take the car?

How long have you been dealing with AAA? Just like mine, I think you can keep it and get a salvage title I would assume. So you want more money to keep it and repair it yourself + salvage title cost right? It will cost you 5k to repair. Perhaps you can find a cheaper body shop. You can counter offer and give them reason that the car is still good, only cosmetic, maybe counter offer like 4500 and see. It is just a game. Waiting might be in our favor as they want to close this claim and sometimes. Don't settle yet, just wait for a few more weeks after you send a counter offer. Let's know.

This literally is the same thing that happened too me. Very similar damage. I know I’m late but curious too know what you settled with ? I plan on keeping my car and finding a place that’ll do the job for cheaper. Estimator told me it might be totaled but I’m not settling for that. What was the end result for you ?

Keep the car and don’t file a claim if that is what you want.

@@jamescc2010 I for sure wont file a claim or say anything. But what happens when she decides to go through her insurance?

@@mattm2411 I saw a comment under another video that said the person came back years later and filed a claim against that person. It's best to protect yourself and always involve the insurance company.

You are very welcome

hmmm very interesting case. Since you owe 20K, I guess the insurance companies will cover that and pay off the banks if you walk right - so you won't ruin your credit? It won't feel right if you have to make payments on a salvage title car right? Since the loan is high and cost of repair is like $5000 with salvage title, it might be good to walk and start over with a new car I think. How did you come up with 4000 to keep the car? Yeap you can always find a shop that will do repair cheaply not using OEM parts, or simply repair it. I have my shop that always cover my deductible with repair or aftermarket parts so nothing is out of the pocket. In my case, since the car was old already and we wanted to keep it for a few years. We actually sold it later for a decent price by showing/telling a buyer there was really nothing wrong much that would cause any issues, just minor cosmetics. Good luck and let us know.

@@jamescc2010 Hi. Thanks for answering back. The car insurance tells me that if I want to keep the salvage car that I would have to be responsible for the salvage price they estimated for the car. That is the value they estimate it would be the value of the vehicle in its current salvage/un-repaired state it’s in. So when I say that at the end if I want to keep the car and fix it myself it would cost me around $5,000 total at the end, I mean $4,000 to keep the salvage car plus around $1,000 to fix it. That would equal for me at the end $5,000 to keep the car and repair it and have it running. The car runs. It just needs a new rear bumper and a left side tail light. The personal reason for me to be considering wether I keep it or not, besides the fact that I already paid $18,000 for it in payments for it and that I would be without a car,,,, is that also just last month I had the transmission rebuilt and I also have stored in my house a lot of brand new original oem replacement parts(all brand new brake calipers for all 4 sides, all brand new in/outer tie rods, end links, both new front control arms, new balljoints, bushings, new stabilizing bar bushings, new iridium sparkplugs, all six new engine coils, all 4 new wheel hub bearings, all new heavy duty front and rear brake pads, a new serpentine belt, all new in boxes that I was getting ready to put on). I also put a new original oem power steering pump three months ago. I could probably sell these parts on eBay and recover part of the money I spent on these new replacements parts too if I decide to just let the car go and buy a new one. But basically I am struggling to know if it’s a good decision to keep a salvage car that will have a salvage title and eventually a rebuilt title, that will cost me around $5,000 between what it will cost me to keep it and fixing the rear bumper and the left side tail light. On top of doing all those parts replacements myself which is a little work to do. But considering everything I’m not sure if I should just let it go or if it’s a good deal to keep it or let it go. Considering that a new car would put me on another $500+ a month payment for the next 6-7 years. The suv is a GMC Acadia 2015. It still looks good besides the repairs needed on there rear bumper. I don’t care about leaving it looking brand new since it’s used for work. We have a brand new 2020 GMC Terrain with only 2,000 miles on it as the family car. So I don’t need this one to be in showroom looking condition as long as it’s functional to drive for working. Keeping the salvage car Pros: •No more $20,000 loan to pay •Only $3,930 to keep the salvage car •Only needs a rear bumper and a rear taillight •It runs •Had the transmission rebuilt a month ago •I have lots of brand new original oem replacements parts that I already bought a few months ago that I was going to put on, still in their original boxes Keeping the salvage car Cons: •It will be a 150K miles salvage tittled vehicle •It will cost me around $1,000 to fix •I will have to do all this work myself •It will cost me $3,930 to keep the salvage car •I will have to go through he process to get it inspected once’s repaired to get the rebuilt title What you think? Thanks.

@@americancitizen1885 A lot of details. You can also try to negotiate for more money, don't just take the first check. Ins always low ball first. Take you time and wait it out for a few weeks, or one month if you can. They will have to settle and both parties have to agree to a settlement. I waited on mind and got more money at the end since I had put more money in the car not just its market value,, so try to justify with your transmission etc. and see. Just watch my videos closely. You have invested quite a bit already, and repair seems minor. I will keep it and run it to the ground possibly. Also I don't like to get into a new big debt neither, so save money to invest and make more money. Car is mostly liability but we need it for work to make $$ :)

@@jamescc2010 Yes I will run it to the ground if I decide to keep it for sure lol. I think I might be able to put another 150,000 miles on it if I do with proper maintenance and get another 3-4 years out of it. This vehicles are pretty tuff and will continue to run even when they are in need of repair in my experience. Thanks for the comments. I’ll post one more time when I decide what to do with the vehicle. Thanks.

Sorry to hear about your damage. What is your car market value before the damage, 2019 model? Check kbb , Edmunds, etc. Not sure, maybe talk to an car accident attorney. Btw DO NOT sign any paper or accept they offer. Wait and plan your counter, say $30+k or more depending your what you had put in. You had purchased gab insurance, it can help, but it is too late now.

Any update?

Probably not, most likely you have to find our own body shop that will work with your settlement. I have one great body shop almost feel like a friend that will accommodate my need. Tell a body shop what you have, (try to negotiate or wait wait, don't accept the first settlement).

@@jamescc2010 Thank u sir for the tip I'm in los Angeles also

@@jamescc2010 this Joshua my get from the rear they say its a total lost but she want keep her car I told her I will get the body shop to fix it it cost 4.ooo to fix but they put in computer anyway total lost I told my even after she went to the theropist for soft but real nothing wrong I told her since they not listening to then she should get another insurance company cut lawyer off and the currant insurance and get a new insurance keep the car tell them its a salvage they pay the 3000 and we go to body shop and get it fixed is that right to do

Sorry about your accident. It is good you have submitted all maintenance papers. Ins offered $2500? What is your estimated market value of your car base on year make model mileage condition from Kelly Blue Book or other car websites? Normally insurance will give the lowest either value of the car or repair cost. You don't yet need to accept the settlement right now just wait. It is a money game so just wait a bit - they will come back and try to settle hopefully give you more $$. How long is the process so far? Mine took sometime. A little patience might work in your favor. What is the insurance company? ins should attempt to give you a fair settlement so you can buy another car with less money out of pocket. I know you need a car to drive unless you have another car. Did you get a rental from ins based on your policy?

James Chuaycham ป้อม ศักดิ์ชัย it has been 3 weeks now, 1st week they gave 2100, and than i gave them the receipt at the same day, and next day they give the 2nd settlement 2500, so i said no. 10 days past with no call, so i call them today, it still the same settlement. they said they wait for me to call them to settle. it is statefarm insurance. maybe i made a mistake to accept the offer today. so i have been borrow my friend car and paid him some money, but the insurance wont reimburse it accept from tge rental company.

i check from KBB, craiglist, auto trader, the car are around 2200-3000. i understand it is an old car, the thing is the money i put to the car just value 10% and i use 13000 mile since last year, yes $2500 they offer me, and i just accept it because they said it wont go up. i dont have any more idea or prove to resettle with the adjuster.

James Chuaycham ป้อม ศักดิ์ชัย oh and i forget to mention the statefarm declare total loss on my car, that's why i was very upset, i loss the car, loss all the money that i put on it last year. my car run perfectly fine and will be good for another 5 years. they said i can keep my car, but i will have to pay for the salvage price, and have to reinspect so that the car are save to operate in a public rd, etc. and might have to pay other fee that it wont worthed to do that.

Get a rental from ins coverage like Enterprise Car Rental. Normally ins covers 30 days with no or little $$ out of your pocket. ONce you accepts the offer, ins will give a day or 2 for rental after the date. So you accepted the offer and they will mail the check? What is your car worth?

What do u mean