Want to see what it takes to total a Festy?

[manxbuggy1]

You think I am kidding right? I'm not. The day after Christmas a Dodge Ram backed out of his space at a convenience store into my car. He admitted full fault, we exchanged info and went on our way. His insurance company called me and told me to take it to a repair shop and they would repair it as well as give me a rental car. I passed on the rental since I have a p/u that needs driven anyway. Yesterday State Farm called to say my car was a total. When I told him that was unacceptable he explained to me that a 1990 Ford Festiva was worth $500.00 dollars and the damage was $1200.00. I told him that I have receipts for my bp as well as several other upgrades and that the 298000 miles on the odometer did not reflect the miles on the current motor. He informed me it didnt matter. My options were take the $500.00 and surrender the car or take a little less and keep the car. No brainer right? What I did not know was as soon as thr repair shop reported the figures to the insurance company, my car became a total. I told him how about he keep his money and we act like it never happened. Too late. My car will now require a salvage title. I tried to tell him that a fender and door was not worth totaling a dependable, economical car. no matter the car will now require a salvage title. Is this a crock or what? I guess I will post a wtb thread and see if anybody has a 1990 blue driver side door and fender. I just had to vent because I think they should have to give me a heads up that they were going to total my car instead of telling me afterward. Look at the picture. The damage is minor.

[SuperDaveGulvak]

That sucks man that is a raw deal

[chrisofna]

That's the one thing that sucks about the Festivas; idiots at body shops that charge a ton will get them totalled out for a freaking door ding.

[tulsacarman]

If it were plated in 24K gold do you think that they'd still value it at $500.00? They just don't really know what to do with it.

I've dealt with them for years and here's what I know about the insurance industry (here in Oklahoma anyway)

They'll value it through NADA.com or KBB.com but they'll also do a market evaluation on the car. They look locally for other vehicles that are similar to yours. They can tell you whatever they want but fact of the matter is that they are responsible for covering your loss. That means they have to repair your car or give you enough money to buy another car like it. You obviously can't replace it for that!!

Fight, fight 'em HARD!! The car's operable so you're in no rush to settle. Try to get an independent evaluation, do your own research into what true replacement value is. Tell them what you expect to be fair compensation. If they don't play fair after that then tell them you'll see them in small claims and that you'll be looking for compensation for your trouble as well.

NEVER TAKE THE FIRST OFFER!!!

[bravekozak]

Check to see if the body needs to be pulled out. Price what a good door and fender is and then figure in painting.
Don't do any bodywork. just swap out the two big pieces.

I got shmucked once on my Malibu bumper. Insurance wanted me to put on a rechrome. I said I didn't want a rechrome, because the accident wasn't my fault. They said I had to take a rechrome. I made a deal with the body shop. They installed a good used chrome bumper with no over riders, charged the insurance company more for the rechrome with over riders and pocketed the difference. I got what I wanted. The body shop got what they wanted. The insurance company was happy too!

[devon527]

Thats insane!

[Nerd Racing]

if someone keyed your car the cost of paint would total it... sad but true about festivas and aspires.

[drddan]

Thats how it works, like Kozak said. Just play the system. Refuse to accept their offer. You want your car fixed, nothing more, nothing less.

[FFesti_90]

If I got pulled over in my Taurus and an officer noticed my airbag light going off (which it does, and has been since I got it) and had me ticketed.....my insurance company would total my car. So I feel your pain and that's complete bs, I'd fight it.

[mattman]

my mom is in insurance an said if you want to make your car hold value then you have to insure it for a said price ..i guess the sum of what you have put into it or insure it as a classic or collectors car there are all kinds of loopholes she has told me about an beleive me the ins companies dont want you to keep older cars on the roads because they cost less to insure

hate to hear about ya getting banged up but at least you get your car before the ins jus took it an gave you a check had a buddy lose his yamaha like that geico showed up loaded it an left an sent him a check for the difference the bike had minor scratches an they totaled it out no keep it option at all it was already sold is what the driver said ....

[mattman]

If I got pulled over in my Taurus and an officer noticed my airbag light going off (which it does, and has been since I got it) and had me ticketed.....my insurance company would total my car. So I feel your pain and that's complete bs, I'd fight it.

a lil youch up paint will fix that light problem ..lol

[KoD88]

So what does a salvage title mean? Hope that's not a stupid question but I've seen cars for sale before with "salvage title" and didn't know what that meant. Does it mean you have to get a special title to be able to drive it again?

[tulsacarman]

So what does a salvage title mean? Hope that's not a stupid question but I've seen cars for sale before with "salvage title" and didn't know what that meant. Does it mean you have to get a special title to be able to drive it again?

It means that the car has been damaged beyond the value of the damaged car plus the cost to repair. In easier terms, if a car is worth $1000 and Salvage value (what the insurance company can sell your wrecked car to a salvage yard for) is $250 then they can only afford to spend $750. If they spend $751 to fix it then they lost money.

In Oklahoma if your car is branded a salvage vehicle you have to repair the vehicle and have it inspected at the tag agent who will then issue a "rebuilt" title on the car. You can't legally drive it when branded "salvage", it has to be converted to a "rebuilt" title.

The only time that this is a detriment to your cars value is on newer vehicles. I believe that NADA.com will deduct 25% of the car's value for a rebuilt title. Of course, it has little or no effect on a $500 car(not that I'm saying your car is only worth $500).

In this situation, I'd be happy to get my car repaired and back to pre-accident condition. I'd document the damage so that if I sold it I could say " Look, it was really a minor hit".

[GenevaDirt]

had this happen not that long ago to me. In Ohio you get the salvage title but that is it. You then have to find an insurance company that will insure it. I had to have the car inspected by a mechanic that was willing to say it was in drivable condition. With that done I was able to drive it till I sold it with the salvage title.

[fastivaB6TG25MR]

DONT sign anything!!!! argue it and take them to court... get your repairs done at their expense not yours... my buddy had to get a lawyer and an independent appraiser to get a fair deal on his LeMans when it was hit... if you win they have to pay for all the damages as well as the appraiser...