Insurance: Total Loss for "Cosmetic Damage"?

[Gauche1968]

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!
_________________
1984 Vanagon GL
1984 Vanagon Westy

[MarkWard]

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.

[Corwyn]

Pictures or it isn't so . . .
_________________
'90 White Westy ("White Lightning")
FAS Gen V 2.0
The Annual Baja Rally
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=604813&highlight=baja

"If anything's" gonna happen, it's gonna happen out there"
~ Captain Ron ~

[Tobias Duncan]

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

[Abscate]

[zerotofifty]

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
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Sorry About That Chief.

Give Peace a Chance.

Words to live by.

[wesitarz]

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.

[trihartsfield]

[dhaavers]

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