Dealing with insurance companies sucks

I was in an accident that was 100% the other person's fault. The other driver's ins co has accepted 100% blame. The bodyshop where my 2009 Prius (with just under 100,000 miles) sits has appraised the damage at $9200. My insurance co is doing the legwork and has decided to total it. They have offered me $14,200. I can't replace my wonderfully running car for anywhere near that. In fact the closest is $19,000. and up.

What really sucks is that the ins co appraiser said it's because the salvage price is so high for these cars its better for them to total it and sell it at auction, for I assume more than the $9200 to fix it.

So where does this leave me? Anyone got any advice? Thanks.

 

I did tell him about the prices that I've found. And said I can't even come close to replacing it for that low offer. He said they send their appraisal to some company in Spokane, WA (close to me) who does the valuations. Now I'm waiting for the "total" dept to call me. The appraiser wouldn't even tell me the salvage value. As I said, it must be over $9200. And he went on the say that because of the Tsunami that parts for Japanese cars are harder to get and more expensive. That's why the salvage value is worth so much.

Just pisses me off. What good is insurance if they don't cover your complete loss?

 

Yep...made an appointment. Another cost, non recoverable, added to the insult.

 

The body shop guys, good guys I might add, suggested that also. Thanks, I'm going to do that right now.

 

Thats close to being exactly what they said mileage wise...52,300 average. And I would love to find an equivalent Prius 100,000 miles or so for what they're offering me. That's my big problem. I can't replace it for what they're offering me. And it's because the "salvage value" is high. Well duh, so is buying another excellent car.

I did get some good ammunition from the Insurance Commissioners office. I'll present it to my attorney. This ain't over yet.

Oh, Dave, yes I'm going to wait for the Salvage Dept to get in touch with me before I sent in the complaint form sent to me, or get to see my attorney. Assuming they get back to me before the appointment next week.

 

The totalled dept phoned this morn. Told me the salvage value is $5068. Said I could buy it back for that. The settlement offer is $14,270.37 ....take off the $5068 and we have $9202.78. The repair estimate was $9200. And they still totalled it. If they hadn't totalled it but had ordered it repaired there'd be no salvage title. I would have done it. I still don't understand why they didn't. Oh well....

Foolishly, or not, I went and looked at some new Priuses today. Found a 2012 Barcelona Red package 2. The sticker was $24,000 plus the infernal destination charge. The guy told me I could get it for less than that since it's "aged". Guess that means because the 2013's will be out soon. Had I not looked at new I probably would have taken the buy back deal on the 2009 and had it fixed. But now I've decided it would be cool to have a new car. And a color I like. I never liked the sh** brown of my 2009. Plus I asked people on the 2012 board if the mileage on the 2012's is the same as my 2009. Someone told me the newer cars are better for mgp. That sold me. I like to challenge myself to constantly up my mileage...probably the same for everyone here.

So shortly I'll have a new purty car to play with if we can come to terms.

Thanks for your replies.

 

Just seems low to me. Especially since I started to look at used ones with 100,000 miles. They were all a few, to more than a few, thousand more. Part of it was I was totally innocent and then had this stress shoved onto my shoulders and lost my beloved car.

And you're right again...when I spoke to the totalled dept lady this morning, after all was said and done, I asked her why they didn't repair it since it was so close. She said what you said, if there was hidden damage it would increase the repair bill making it more expensive to repair and over the value.
Live and learn. Lesson...don't be an innocent driver, become an idiot and feel better.

 

That's what F8L told me on the other forum. Better mileage.

Already decided to go new. Hopefully I can love the new one like I loved the old one. Thanks.

 

Not. But we are members of Costco and they have a new car program. Thanks.

 

Damn...I missed this also. Sorry. It's travellers. Or at least was, I'm not thrilled with their valuation so I'm going to switch...probably Enumclaw.