by "Phyrxes once again has a wagon!" (phyrxes)
Published 08/08/2017 at 09:10
by "Phyrxes once again has a wagon!" (phyrxes)
Published 08/08/2017 at 09:10
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STARS: 0
Now to try and fight to get it fixed anyway. If this doesn’t work I will be posting here help finding a replacement.
"CalzoneGolem" (calzonegolem)
08/08/2017 at 09:38, STARS: 3
Totalled from that rear corner damage? You should just buy it back, zip tie it back together, pocket the ins. money and drive it into the ground.
"Rico" (ricorich)
08/08/2017 at 09:39, STARS: 0
+1, I’m surprised that was enough to total it.
"Rust and Dust - Oppositelock Forever" (rustanddust)
08/08/2017 at 09:44, STARS: 1
It’s doubtful you’ll be able to convince an insurance carrier to fix a car they’ve already decided to total.
You do have options to keep the Corolla, though. Primarily in the form of a buyback. To generalize, say the insurance company values the car at $3000, and they expect to auction it off for $500. You can accept the settlement at $3000, sign the title over and go shopping, or you can take the $2500 (payout less assumed auction value) and keep the car (at least in Virginia and Maryland, not sure if it differs in other states).
Talk to the shop about repairing it as a buyback. If they can make it functional and safe for $1800 (again, based off my theoretical settlement numbers), you get to stuff the extra $700 in the “rainy day fund”. I’m not sure what was written on the estimate (OEM parts vs used/aftermarket), or how substantial the damage was (I think I only saw one photo in a previous thread, and I’m a cat person and that thread crushed me). If memory serves correct, you’ll be needing a taillamp, a body pull to realign the quarter and rear bumper, a bumper & bracket, and a taillamp filler. It’s not ideal (and possibly not feasible pending on the damage and results of the pull), but you can skip cosmetic straightening and paint on the quarter after the pull and save some substantial money. I think you mentioned something about the wheel and tire taking a shot, too. The angle of the impact looked like it may have hit the rear bumper reinforcement directly on the end, which is the easiest way to structurally “sway” a car. A lateral shot to a bumper reinforcement can drive the framerails sideways. Not unrepairable (pending on kink vs bend in the rails), but a more involved pull than just tugging the quarter and taillamp pocket.
Feel free to reply to this post with any questions. I’ve been in collision repair shops for years dealing with insurance settlements, repairs, buybacks, etc, I’ll help in any way that I can.
"Phyrxes once again has a wagon!" (phyrxes)
08/08/2017 at 10:04, STARS: 1
Awesome thank you, I have passed to along to the Mrs as it is her car technically and she is dealing with the same shop she dealt with for a previous claim on the car.
Your memory on pictures is pretty close, the taillight appeared to survive but other damage is as you said.
"Phyrxes once again has a wagon!" (phyrxes)
08/08/2017 at 10:47, STARS: 0
I have the update from my insurance, looks like the statement is totally worth doing. Will update tonight after I talk with the Mrs.