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So the person who rearended my Colt, her insurance says the car is worth $1400 max, and that's with a new engine, new tires, excellent condition etc. NADA shows Ave Retail as $2600 and High Retail of $3800. Their body shop estimate was $3600 which is pure bullshit. I got two more estimates from shops I want to go to and they were both $1500. The insurance said they won't accept them because they aren't repairs up to their standards. I'd be happy with $1500 cash but they won't do it.

Any ideas on how to prove my car is worth more than $1400? I figure I'll print out several for sale adds from the board here but what else can I do?

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'89 Colt GT w/bigger than stock turbo
'91 Talon AWD w/bigger than stock turbo
'05 Dodge diesel w/bigger than stock turbo

Find out what the insurance company will do with an appraisal in your hands.

What car is this? If its an original Turbo car be sure to tell them how scarce they are, and don't tell the its modified so much as its been "maintained" or "restored". I dread the day I have to have that fight with those bean-counting bastards, but I wish you luck.

~Joe

I did tell them how rare it is and that it has a brand new engine, clutch, suspension, brakes, tires etc. If they want to play hardball, I will too. They admitted they are liable to repair my car, their client wrecked it. I have roughly $8000 in parts put into this car and have all receipts to prove it. If they want to total it and buy my wrecked car from me, the price is now $8000. Or if they won't pay that, I'll take the $3800 that NADA says it's worth.

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'89 Colt GT w/bigger than stock turbo
'91 Talon AWD w/bigger than stock turbo
'05 Dodge diesel w/bigger than stock turbo

The insurance company is just trying to play hardball. They are required to pay you the amount it costs to replace your vehicle, not what NADA or KBB or any other site says. They also have to cover your TTL costs. If they won't want to do that, then it's time to get your insurance company involved or a lawyer.

In my last accident, the insurance company gave me $26xx for my 91 pathfinder with 191k miles on it. KBB showed the value at being around 1500 but that didn't matter. They had to find out how much it would cost to replace my vehicle with another one exactly like it and they take a market survey and give you the average price.

BTW, let them total it and buy it back. You'll get a pretty good profit if you do.

Definitely total it and buy it back. As we all know, with these cars the sum of their parts is usually greater than the whole.

~

Nope, not gonna accept a salvage title. There is no way the car is "totaled" mechanically and the damage would only total it based off a lowball retail value. Plus, with a salvage title I can not get comp or collision coverage if I wanted to, only liability. I may want theft coverage someday and want to have that option.

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'89 Colt GT w/bigger than stock turbo
'91 Talon AWD w/bigger than stock turbo
'05 Dodge diesel w/bigger than stock turbo

What's wrong with finding a different shell with a clean title?

If my car was indeed damaged that bad then nothing. I've been driving it since the wreck and it drives fine and straight. It didn't break any glass or even the tail lights. Literally the only damage is the muffler is bent down, the spare tire tub is bent and the hatch "COLT" reflector is broken. Switching cars would be the same as swapping parts because a headlight went out.

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'89 Colt GT w/bigger than stock turbo
'91 Talon AWD w/bigger than stock turbo
'05 Dodge diesel w/bigger than stock turbo

Here is a draft of the letter I'm going to send her insurance company. I'm hoping it will make them realize I too can play hardball and will get a lawyer if I need to. All I wanted was $1500 but now I will take whatever I can get from them. I included the list in the letter but will spare it for you all here.
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Dear Hartford Insurance Company,

Your client, xxxxx xxxxxx rear-ended my car on April 21st at 9:15am on Canyon Rd in Tacoma, WA.

Since your client caused the crash and you are legally required to fix my car to the condition it was prior to the accident, replace my car with one EXACTLY like it or reimburse me for the value of the car, I've given you the courtesy of listing the condition and value of my car prior to the wreck. Here is a list of what all I have done to restore my rare 1989 Dodge Colt GT. I keep meticulous records and have my receipts to prove it. As you will be able to see, I've put $10,363.90 into it not counting the price I paid for the car in the first place. If you are insisting that my car is totaled and you want to pay me the true market value of my car, I will sell it to you at a LOSS for me at an even $10,000. Since you are not willing to work with me, you can either buy my car for $10,000 or you can pay me $3,600 for the repair as per your company's estimate plus $300 for 1 day of work I had to miss due to the wreck your client caused, reimbursement for rental car while mine is being repaired and damages for anguish, hardship and suffering.

I will accept a check for either amount in my name because I will be paying for the repairs and or replacement out of my pocket. Just let me know when I can expect the check and what format you will be sending it. Thank you.

Shawn

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'89 Colt GT w/bigger than stock turbo
'91 Talon AWD w/bigger than stock turbo
'05 Dodge diesel w/bigger than stock turbo

I'd stick to the 8k you have to prove and just got from there

Your not gona win insurance dont care if u invested 10k in parts. the car didnt come with them parts from factory. Is like a new car at a dealership u modded warranty is no good any loner. Same here they might pay full price value of what u can prove the damge might be so maybe u will get the 3500 no more.