Auto Insurance Question

[DWBOX2000]

My friend has an older Volvo SUV (like 2005) that his daughter just got into an accident with. The front bumper needs replacing. As far as driving, the car is the same as it was before the accident. Anyways, the insurance company wants to total the car. What does that mean? If he buys the car back with the money they give him, can the car even be inspected? Does it get a salvage title? Thanks.

[legion]

The insurance company wants to total the car because the cost to repair it exceeds what it is worth. It is purely an economic decision. Handing the daughter a check for the value of the car, pre-accident, to go buy a vehicle of similar condition and age is cheaper than fixing it.

The next three questions depend on the state the vehicle is licensed in. Most states will supply a salvage title. Some will not. Whether it can be inspected depends on the laws in that state. My state has no vehicle inspections, so there is no issue there.

[asphaltgambler]

In short, the repair (according to his insurance company) has met or exceeded the market value of the car. Two things can happen. 1) Your friend accepts the 'offer' amount to total the car, they cut a check, then take the car away where it will will auctioned / sold off to a salvage facility. 2) They total the car, your friend tells them he wants to 'buy it back" which averages @20% of their estimate of the 'totaled' car.

In this case he'd keep the car, have @80% in cash ( value) in his pocket. Then he can decide to do whatever including repairing it, putting it back on the road. But the car will now have a 'salvage' title where in some insurance companies will not insure.

[URY914]

Air bag deploy?

[red-beard]

Why would someone have collision insurance on a car that old?

[Alansglide]

Originally Posted by red-beard

Why would someone have collision insurance on a car that old?

My daily driver is an 05 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Got hit head on as I was waiting to make a turn last year. I was standing still when hit . Keep in mind the car has 88 k on the odometer.

Damage was 7500 . Before the case settled my insurance fixed my car because I have collision and I continue to drive it Monday through Friday. Of course I'm retired so don't put on lot if miles .

As a side note, until the accident the car didn't have a scratch on it and the paint is in great shape. It still runs without any mechanical issues .

[Arizona_928]

I carry collision on a 99 PSD from cabmando. some kid rear ended me the other day. Not even a scratch on the bumper, but he hit the hitch.
the alh's I drive only get liability. but they're throw away beaters.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by red-beard

Why would someone have collision insurance on a car that old?

I have full coverage on my 1985 911, and on my 1986 El Camino. In fact both have agreed value valuation.

For me it is dang cheap insurance. Perfect driving record, no accidents (except a deer hit) and no tickets since the 1970s and I don't commute to work. Well I walk the 14 steps down the hall to my home office.

The 911 is less than a 70 cents per day. The El Camino is even cheaper.

[DWBOX2000]

Thanks for all the responses.

Airbag did not deploy and he is cancelling the collision on all his older cars now.

He managed to unclaim it somehow. Basically like he never called the insurance company. Only problem is the autobody shop took the inspection sticker off it so he needs to get another one. They didn't ask, just did. Just turned into a big headache.

[matthewb0051]

Originally Posted by DWBOX2000

Thanks for all the responses.

Airbag did not deploy and he is cancelling the collision on all his older cars now.

He managed to unclaim it somehow. Basically like he never called the insurance company. Only problem is the autobody shop took the inspection sticker off it so he needs to get another one. They didn't ask, just did. Just turned into a big headache.

I was going to say he should fix that himself and not make a claim. Unless of course there was another vehicle involved and they are claiming to not be at fault.

My son got clipped on the front wing right after getting 1st car. I bought a used same color wing off eBay and replaced it. No need to have a 17 y/o having an insurance claim in the first year of driving.

[Arizona_928]

Why would he withdraw his claim?
Accidents happen, that's why you buy insurance.