Had a wreck. Should I care what it costs to fix?

[Anonymous]

I had a wreck the other day. Relatively slow speed rear-ending of an SUV with some damage to the front end of my car. Hood, bumper, grill and probably the radiator need replacing.

The estimate just came back from the auto body shop and it was $8,000. I pay the deductible and insurance pays the rest. The car is barely worth $12,000. Honestly, I think the body shop is trying to rip off the insurance company a bit.

Should I even care what the estimate is, or not worry about it as it is the insurance company's problem?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had a wreck the other day. Relatively slow speed rear-ending of an SUV with some damage to the front end of my car. Hood, bumper, grill and probably the radiator need replacing.

The estimate just came back from the auto body shop and it was $8,000. I pay the deductible and insurance pays the rest. The car is barely worth $12,000. Honestly, I think the body shop is trying to rip off the insurance company a bit.

Should I even care what the estimate is, or not worry about it as it is the insurance company's problem?

The car might not be worth 12k but 8k sounds like a reasonable estimate for damages you describe Don’t worry about the insurance, they won’t let a body shop to rip them off

[Anonymous]

If your carrier is paying, then I’m sure they are negotiating it down.

[Anonymous]

In Virginia when repairs reach 75% of the car’s value the insurer will declare it a total loss.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In Virginia when repairs reach 75% of the car’s value the insurer will declare it a total loss.

Op's only 66.66%

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In Virginia when repairs reach 75% of the car’s value the insurer will declare it a total loss.

Op's only 66.66%

So far, likely there will be additional damage uncovered.

[Anonymous]

Not quite in your situation, but I once had a choice between two body shops. I chose the more expensive shop because I thought it would do better work (since it was more expensive). When I sold the car, having the more expensive repair on the car's records significantly devalued the car's value because it looked like it had been in a major accident.

[Anonymous]

Get a few different estimates.

[Anonymous]

Is this the insurer’s preferred auto body shop? If not, won’t they do their own appraisal?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In Virginia when repairs reach 75% of the car’s value the insurer will declare it a total loss.

Op's only 66.66%

So far, likely there will be additional damage uncovered.

This. I’d want it totaled. Bring it elsewhere. What about the other car?

[Anonymous]

Will it be considered a salvaged vehicle after it is repaired?

Because it sounds like significant damage since it has damage to the front of the car where the motor is….