Had a wee bit of an accident, would this be a write off or not?

[ThePointman]

Here is the pic that worries me the most. You can see across and through the drivers wheel well to the outside. I imagine that means the inner fender has been torn or is that part of the tub?
Heres the pic in question,

[Gunter]

Damn, that sucks!
With today's repair costs, I think this is a write-off.
Aside from the ICBC-estimate, I would try and get another repair estimate from a shop with Porsche-experience.
Aim for a settlement with ICBC and buy it back.
Think positive.

[GeorgeK]

Point, that looks like the trunk carpet.

[ThePointman]

Yep I got hit hard thats for sure ....

[rattlsnak]

Its easily fixable. As i said before it just matters on what the insurance value of it is. If they total it, buy it back and fix it! The front end comes apart like this photo below...

[Gunter]

Easily fixable? Is that meant to be funny? Or is that one of those arm-chair-estimates without even seeing the total damage?
A close-up inspection by a professional will use a simple formula:
Cost of parts and labor vs. cost of a replacement vehicle.
Most people don't have the time, or expertise, or equipment, to make this "Easy fix" which always turns out to cost more, and take longer than expected.
I still think that the insurance company here in BC (ICBC) will not repair this 911 and write it off.
As part of the settlement, I would buy it back and sell the parts, then look for another 911.

[ThePointman]

Originally posted by Gunter
Easily fixable? Is that meant to be funny? Or is that one of those arm-chair-estimates without even seeing the total damage?
A close-up inspection by a professional will use a simple formula:
Cost of parts and labor vs. cost of a replacement vehicle.
Most people don't have the time, or expertise, or equipment, to make this "Easy fix" which always turns out to cost more, and take longer than expected.
I still think that the insurance company here in BC (ICBC) will not repair this 911 and write it off.
As part of the settlement, I would buy it back and sell the parts, then look for another 911.

Gunter,

I am hoping that exactly what you mention will happen. The car has so much damage that I really dont want to have it back, however I do want another one for sure. If they write it off tomorrow I will start my search for a mid to late 80's blue sunroof coupe with tail.

[Paulporsche]

Anybody know the standard for this? Does the damage repair cost have to exceed 75% of the appraised value of the car for it to be a writeoff?

[ThePointman]

Originally posted by Paulporsche
Anybody know the standard for this? Does the damage repair cost have to exceed 75% of the appraised value of the car for it to be a writeoff?

I understand the "fix it" to "total it" ratio is:

If Market Value is less then Repair Value + Salvage Value then it gets written off.

This is from ICBC's website

Example

After a crash:

The cost of repairing your vehicle is $8,000.
The actual cash value of your vehicle is $10,000.
The estimated salvage value is $3,000.
In this example, ICBC would consider your vehicle a write off. This is because it would cost more to fix your vehicle ($8,000) than to pay you the actual cash value ($10,000) and recover some of the costs by selling it as salvage ($3,000).

[Gunter]

ICBC will look at similar cars that have been advertised recently and figure out an average taking into acount any upgrades/additions/repairs.
along with black/blue book values.
I would talk to the ICBC adjuster who handles the claim and make them aware of why you feel that you had some extras over and beyond the average 911. Bills and photos will help. I found that ICBC tries to acommodate within reason.
Work out a deal for write-off with buy-back; then sell the parts.
It helps if the other party also has ICBC.

[john_colasante]

This car will probably be totalled by the insurance company. That's a given. That's because of the nature of the auto collision industry - the amount of the estimate will be very high due to the nature of the way bodyshops write insurance estimates. Suffice to say, it's not the "street price".

However, this car is an easy fix. If you pay cash, and if you find the right bodyshop, you can have it done perfectly for $2000 plus used parts.

[motion]

Sorry to hear about your crash. Glad you're ok and back home. Those head ons can be nasty, that's for sure. You're hit looks exactly like the one I took in my '84 a few years ago. Here are a few pics: http://www.animotion.com/911cab

Mine was easily totalled. I ended up buying back the salvage and selling it as one piece on eBay for a nice profit.

[ThePointman]

Wow that is so similar it scary! Same crunch on the valence by the window and everything. I guess I will know tomorrow for sure.

[rattlsnak]

Easily fixable? Is that meant to be funny? Or is that one of those arm-chair-estimates without even seeing the total damage?

Not meant to be funny at all. I didnt say everyone could fix it. I said its an easy fix for a Body Shop. They indeed might total it. That doesnt change the fact that its a routine repair. The only difference is this car is older and not worth as much as a newer one. If this happened to a newer model, I promise you it would be fixed.

[Gunter]

A Tribute To My Beloved C2

This was a "Newer model", a very nice 964 with less damage and it became a write-off.
Sure, another one of those legendary "Easy fixes".

$2000.- plus used parts.
Another legend is born; keep those fantasies coming.
Can we get more "Arm-chair-estimates"??
Something less than 2K with a complete paint job and a years supply of free gas??
Pointman: Let us know what the reality is when a real adjuster finishes the estimate, (Don't tell the adjuster that it is an "Easy fix"; they might fall for it)

[rattlsnak]

You either got screwed by a body shop or you dont know a wrench from a srewdriver. You shouldnt comment on a business you obviously dont know.

I work in a body shop and can send you 1,000s of pictures of cars we have fixed.

******Once again, im not saying they wont total it.*****

Im saying it can be easliy fixed. My 993 was totaled when i bought it, and its getting fixed for @ $4,500. The estimate was @ $22K. The best thing in his case would be for them to total it. Then he can buy it back and fix it for half by doing some work himself.

Heres a few we took insurance photos of today.

[ThePointman]

OK, this was not meant to start some kind of is it a "write off" war. I would like the he said she said to stop. The damage can obviously be "easily fixed" with years of training, the right equipment, making a profit, etc ... though NOT a simple task for the layman. So I thank you both for your input and will post the result of whether in my case the car is a "write off" or not.

Again thanks to everyone for their feedback especially Gunter, I always welcome and appreciate your honesty and direct feedback.

[avendlerdp]

I guess the question I have is why is a write off a bad thing?? These cars are not rare and it is possible to get another one that is better than the one you have. A fixed car is never as good so why fight this. I say let them total it, buy back the smashed car, keep what you want off it, and sell the rest. Take the money and go buy one of the flawless cars that are always for sale. You may have to argue the point a bit to get the most money but you'll be able to replace the car with another.

Alex

[techweenie]

Coincidentally, there is a nice, straight '85 coupe shell of the same(?) color that's been for sale in So Cal for the last few months.

Don't know what magnitude project you'd be up for, but moving the good parts to the good chassis is do-able.

[rattlsnak]

>>OK, this was not meant to start some kind of is it a "write off" war. I would like the he said she said to stop<<

Party pooper!!

But you're right. Done..