TheSamba.com :: View topic - Insurance: Total Loss for "Cosmetic Damage"?

Sat Sep 09, 2023 10:11 am

Hello,

Vehicle was banged in a parking lot. There's a scrape, a couple of small scratches, and a few dings. I stupidly looked at the damage and thought, "OK, that's about $1500." So, I filed a claim. Took it in for an estimate and its coming back at close to $6000 to fix what is strictly cosmetic damage. This almost certainly exceeds Actual Cash Value of the vehicle. The law in this state (Maryland) excludes "Cosmetic Damage" from being considered in a salvage value determination (although what counts as "cosmetic damage" is a little unclear).

I haven't heard back from the insurance company yet, but I can't imagine they are going to want to pay to fix it, but I don't think they can legally declare it a total loss for "cosmetic damage." Or, at least, they can't declare it a "salvage vehicle."

Anyone have any experience with this kind of scenario? Thanks!

Sat Sep 09, 2023 10:26 am

Sorry about your luck. Curious what is your deductible? Might look for a body shop that’s a little more hungry and offer cash. For body work figure an hour for each hand size of damage. $6000 might be the we don’t want it in here price. Also, the Vanagon doesn’t really have any bolt on body parts. Here most collision shops want to bolt on a fender, match the paint and ship. Very few metal workers left. Again, sorry about your luck. Post up some photos of the damage.

Sat Sep 09, 2023 10:27 am

Pictures or it isn't so . . .

Sat Sep 09, 2023 11:34 am

Assuming you are talking about the 84 GL in your signature , here is the book value for my zip code

https://www.jdpower.com/cars/1984/volkswagen/vanagon/gl-station-wagon

Sat Sep 09, 2023 12:32 pm

Tobias Duncan wrote: Assuming you are talking about the 84 GL in your signature , here is the book value for my zip code

https://www.jdpower.com/cars/1984/volkswagen/vanagon/gl-station-wagon

That’s a bad number but still might be useful for insurance purposes

Sat Sep 09, 2023 5:02 pm

Chill out, dont worry, be happy. Why the worry, you have not even heard what your insurance company wants to do yet.
Id however file a police report so the other drivers insurance cover the damages unless of course it is your fault, or the other driver hit and ran and is unknown. (some lots might have video coverage)

But no sense to worry about what you have no control over at this point. Smile that you have insurance and dont worry until after you hear negative news.

a photo will be interesting to see however. please post one

Sun Sep 10, 2023 12:44 am

That's $6000 for a marked up insurance job. It's amazing what guys on YouTube are picking up at salvage auctions as total write-offs and fixing them cheap.

Sun Sep 10, 2023 6:08 am

wesitarz wrote: That's $6000 for a marked up insurance job. It's amazing what guys on YouTube are picking up at salvage auctions as total write-offs and fixing them cheap.

There is a place just north of Salt Lake that does exactly that. I have bought my last two cars from them. They take a car that has been totaled, without serious damage, (replacing fenders, radiators, airbags ect, no structural damage) fixing them with “branded titles” and sells them for usually $10,000 to $15000 under what you could get the same used car. They do a 150 point inspection and have their staff drive them for a period of time.

I bought a 2018 Chevy Equinox 4 years ago with less than 5000 miles on it. I paid $12,900. Drove it without issues (put 75,000 on it) and recently traded it back to them and they gave me $10,000 trade.

If they total you van buy it back from them. Yes it will have a branded title but who cares.

Chris

Sun Sep 10, 2023 9:50 am

trihartsfield wrote: …If they total you van buy it back from them. Yes it will have a branded title but who cares.
This!

Buy it, fix & drive it. DO NOT let it go to the boneyard! :evil:

- Dave

Mon Sep 11, 2023 5:14 pm

dhaavers wrote: trihartsfield wrote: …If they total you van buy it back from them. Yes it will have a branded title but who cares.
This!

Buy it, fix & drive it. DO NOT let it go to the boneyard! :evil:

- Dave

one of the great injustices up here (in BC) is you aren't allowed to buy it back. it must go to a salvage auction. such a crappy state of affairs.