So I totalled my 911 today...

[djmcmath]

Details of incident removed.

Anyhow ... I'm trying to figure out how to work with the insurance company for best efficiency. Anyone know the best way through the insurance mess with a modified and relatively elderly 911? I'm sure they'll total it -- nobody wants to pay for repairs, and I'm sure that the frame is badly bent. Should I take some tools to the impound lot and swap the stock parts back on, or should I show my receipts to the insurance types to try and get value for the suspension updates? If I do swap, is it safe to assume that the stock seats (one electric, one not, both leather) are worth more than the Corbeau Pro Sports?


Any words of advice from anyone else who's been here? Thanks in advance, all.

[azasadny]

I'm very sad to hear about your crash although I'm glad you're fine. Good luck!

[LakeCleElum]

Sorry for your sad misforturne.....Show your receipts to the ins. co. and ask them to value the car what it is work. When they "total" it, ask to buy it back. You can then use the money from the claim for repairs or part it out; your option. The best part is, you keep the title and if you do repair, the title isn't tainted by showing it's a "salvage" or "totaled" vehicle...I've done this when my friends crashed their m/c's.

If you don't want it, buy it back, add 25% and sell it to me. OH - I JUST LOOKED AND SEE JOHN WALKER IN LINE BEHIND ME..

Best of luck....Bob S.

[john walker's workshop]

if they decide to total it, buy the car back and part it out for a profit. you are the only one who can get it from them now. otherwise it goes to auction. they will give you a figure to replace it, and if you want it back, they deduct that small amount from the total. if you don't want it, get it for me.

[KevinP73]

First off get it out of the impound yard !! Get it in your possesion. Then have your insurance company come to your place for the inspection. Don't let them take it untill you reach an agreement as to it's final disposition.

[nostatic]

bummer Dan. The most important thing is that you aren't hurt.

Try and find ads (Pano and Excellence are good sources) for similar year cars to show what "comparable" cars are going for. If you provide enough examples of what the car was really worth (knowing of course that the mods don't really increase the value much if at all), then you might be a bigger settlement.

[djmcmath]

Ok, so hang on, let me make sure I understand the math right ... let's say that market value for a clean '86 Carrera is 17K. If the insurance company (IC) decides that repairs to the car will cost more than that, they consider it "a total loss" (aka totalled). The default option is for them to just give me 17K, and I sign over the title to them. If I fight for the value of my updates and repairs (tranny rebuild, suspension changes, etc.), they may give me slightly more -- before taking the title. Am I right? This other option, this "buy it back" option -- they give me, instead of the "total" value of the car, the value of repairs? I keep the title, and the 17K? Why does this seem wrong to me?


Bob S -- IIRC you're WSP, so I'll add this little note. The patrolman who arrived to take statements was friendly and professional.

Thanks for the help (and sympathy), all.

Dan

[john walker's workshop]

whatever the total amount due to you is, the buyback is a standard percentage of that, which would be deducted from the total. if they will pay $17,000 and keep the car, and you can buy it back for say $2500, you get $14,500 and the car. just don't sign any release of interest or it's gone.

[CarreraS2]

Originally posted by djmcmath
Ok, so hang on, let me make sure I understand the math right ... let's say that market value for a clean '86 Carrera is 17K. If the insurance company (IC) decides that repairs to the car will cost more than that, they consider it "a total loss" (aka totalled). The default option is for them to just give me 17K, and I sign over the title to them. If I fight for the value of my updates and repairs (tranny rebuild, suspension changes, etc.), they may give me slightly more -- before taking the title. Am I right? This other option, this "buy it back" option -- they give me, instead of the "total" value of the car, the value of repairs? I keep the title, and the 17K? Why does this seem wrong to me?

That's not how it works. It will go one of two ways:

1) If they total it, they will give you a check for $17K. You then may have the option to buy the car back at an agreed amount or a percentage stated in your contract or in their policies.

2) The other option is that they pay to repair it. They generally won't pay more than 80% or so of the value to repair it. So assuming a value of $17K, if the repairs are less than around $13.5 to $14K, they may decide to have it fixed. They will then give you the value of the repair, usually paid directly to your body shop.

Even though a total costs them more money up front, if the damages to the car exceed 80% of so, they'd rather just pay the value because it is a certain number, and the transaction is complete. No dealing with the body shop, no customer complaints about the repairs, etc.

[rcecale]

Dan, that totally sucks!!!!!

Wish I had some advice for you, but I've never had that kind of misfortune. All I can do is offer my sympathy!

That really does suck!!!!!

Randy

[Joe Bob]

Get an independent estimate....listen to the offer from your insurance company..compare them add up the diff and get the $$$....unless you had an agreed value policy you are gonna get hosed.

Buy it back and part it out....

[jyl]

Glad you are okay, that already makes this a good ending.

Do the best you can w/ your ins co, get the car back, and start planning the replacement. With some hard work you might end up better off than before. For example, suppose you found a deal on a mid-year car and transplanted your 3.2, 915, suspension, etc . . .

[DavidI]

Dan, that is horrible! At least nobody was hurt. There are some insurance guys on the board that will surely chime in and give you some good advice.

David

[RoninLB]

Originally posted by KevinP73
First off get it out of the impound yard !! Get it in your possesion. Then have your insurance company come to your place for the inspection. Don't let them take it untill you reach an agreement as to it's final disposition.

I read the same info somewhere.. something like you'll be in a better bargining position, besides not having your car stripped. Some tow shops have big thief reps around here once they tow a car into their yard.

btw.. what tires were you using dj ?

[djmcmath]

Originally posted by RoninLB
btw.. what tires were you using dj ?

Yokohama db S2's. Early December.

Thanks for the advice, all. I'll shell out the towing fees tomorrow to get her back in my garage.

There are obviously a lot of options at this point -- and don't think that transplanting that 3.2L/915 combo (in beautiful shape!!!) into something smaller hadn't occurred to me. In fact, I was thinking that a home-brew Spyder-like roadster built to take a "full-size" engine would be a lot of fun. Whichever way I jump from here, I think it's important that I get back behind the wheel expeditiously. If I let this beat me down, I may never drive again. Anyhow, stand by for either a "What should I do with all these parts" thread, or a "FS: everything from the B-pillar back" thread.

[LakeCleElum]

Dan: Regarding the points for the ticket: Driving over the centerline is the most kind charge he could have written you. In WA, many moving violations are in the lower catagory of being "least serious". Example, speed, 1-10 over, running a stop sign, fail to yield, illegal turn, etc....The normal fine is $101, but increased to $153 if their is an accident involved. He could have written U for Negligent Dr., Reckless (doubtful), or whatever. For points, this will be the same as a basic speeding ticket. Of course, the accident is then another entry on your record on top of the violation.....Best of luck........Bob S.

[randywebb]

That was a very natural reaction... one nasty trick these cars ahve that we have to train out of ourselves.

Don't let it stop you. Good luck -- and I agree with all the above. Get the car onto your property (NOT just onto the public street outside your house).

[Adam]

Bummer, Dan.

Glad to hear you're ok, though.

[hoff944]

I feel like this is a funeral and I'm signing the registry. My condolences.

[dd74]

Dan - I'm sorry to hear about this. I'm glad you're okay. Get what you can for the car - all the advice above sounds worth considering - but by all means get yourself back in the Porsche game soon.