Question:
Is my car totaled?
anonymous
2014-12-26 06:25:59 UTC
This is the only damage nothing in front or other side, wheels aren't bent. I hope to god it's not totaled, I don't have gap insurance and it's financed. If they decide it's only worth $6,000 I'm stuck making payments on no car for like a year or more and I have 3 children, one that goes to school and so do I. Please say it's fixable. It's a 2010 huyndai elantra blue
35 answers:
?
2014-12-27 20:23:07 UTC
Is it fixable? Yes, anything is fixable with enough money and experience. New doors, front fender, and some heavy duty hammering will get it back to working condition. B-pillar is probably whats going to cost the most. It won't be cheap or perfect, but it will work.



Totaled means the damage repair cost is about 75% more than the car's value. Its different for every insurance company. Nobody knows if its totaled or not. Up the the insurance company.



I knew a person with a Toyota Corolla. Worth $7000 but it was totaled due to an accident caused by a thief. Total repair cost was like $5000 plus towing fees, so insurance decided to pay out on the car.
br549
2014-12-26 08:12:31 UTC
Amanda, I have "fixed" many totaled cars. One of my daughters is driving a car that has been totaled TWICE! Was totaled when I bought it as salvage, then 10 years later she was hit from behind and it was totaled again. I negotiated with the other drivers insurance adjuster (and had to get mean) but we got her the FULL value of the car, and I repaired it for under $100.00!



Unibodies can be rebuilt. Yours may have some trouble in the door post area ( "B" post) but the others look either okay, or workable. The rear 1/4 panel looks as if it will pull out nicely, and I found you both doors and a fender for about $500 here: http://car-part.com/



While it's not totally possible to see all the damage from that one picture, I have seen enough wrecks to "guess" that that one would be a fairly straightforward repair, although with labor costs and OEM replacement parts it would be over the limit for most insurers.



You can settle with the insurer, then fix the car using used parts, even hiring the bodywork out and still get a repair for around 2 grand. It's gonna be aggravating to fight the insurance company though.
David
2014-12-26 06:39:56 UTC
I can't say it's fixable as I can't see behind the panels. I can't see, for example, if the air-bags went off?

It is extensive damage. Front wing and doors are fairly easy replacement, but the damage behind the back door is less so. If the pillars(in front of and behind the front door) are bent it may have deformed the body, which isn't good.



But you may be lucky. I sincerely hope you are..
Motorhead
2014-12-26 20:04:28 UTC
You seem to misunderstand what "totaled" means. That just means they give you the full amount that they calculate the car is worth.

Whether or not you then decide to use that money to fix the car or buy a different one, is completely and totally up to you.

No insurance company has any say in what you decide to do with the car.

Even if the car would cost twice what it was worth to fix, you can fix it.

But the insurance company is not obligated to pay more then the car is worth, whether you decide to have it fixed or not.

And if the car is NOT totaled, then the insurance company gives you even less, so you should hope they decide the car is totaled, so that you get the maximum out of them.

And gap insurance is totally irrelevant.

If you owe more than the car is worth, then you just screwed up and paid too much for it to begin with.

That has nothing to do with whether or not the car is totaled or what it will cost to fix it.



However, it is not that bad.

You can get the doors at a salvage yard for $100 each, and the rest can easily be done with a hammer and bondo, or some cutting and welding.

I would say the repairs could come in under $1500 or so if you help locate the parts.
Obi Wan Knievel
2014-12-26 09:59:41 UTC
Nobody can tell you that by just looking at a photo, and anybody who thinks they can is either an idiot or a liar.



Here is how the 'total loss' calculation works, with or without an insurance company involved...



First a repair estimated is done, showing the total cost of all repairs in detail. Then the vehicle is evaluated on a without prejudice basis, meaning the evaluator doesn't see the repair estimate and just assesses the pre-accident (or post-repair) value of the vehicle. If the repairs cost less than the total value, it's a repair job. If the repairs cost more, it's a total loss and the vehicle is junk. The decision is made based entirely on dollars, because nobody in their right mind would spend more than something is worth to fix it.



NOTE: Some states / provinces have legislation saying if a vehicle is damaged more than __% of its total value (the number varies by state), it must be written off. In those places, the magic percentage is the deciding factor. Nobody gets to argue with legislation.
anonymous
2014-12-26 06:34:48 UTC
You need more than just new doors. It may be totaled. Should have purchased the gap coverage to protect yourself. Have an insurance company adjuster or body shop estimate the repairs. That's the only way you will know for sure.
oklatom
2014-12-26 07:10:56 UTC
I can say anything you'd like me to say, but it wouldn't be truthful perhaps if I did tell you it isn't totaled.



It's a unibody construction, and that much damage will compromise it to the point where I would give you odds it is a total loss. It isn't just the doors, it continues into the front and rear body panels. You don't show the roof in the picture, but I'd bet if you stand in front and look down the roof line you will see some deformation there also.



But regardless, the only one who can say for sure is going to be the adjuster from insurance who comes to look, gather information, take pictures, and run the numbers.



Couple of things to keep in mind, if they do total it, the check goes to the bank that financed it, not to you, and if that isn't enough to cover the loan you keep making payments.



And if you are able to buy it back for salvage value, you will get a salvage title also, which reduces fair market value and makes it almost impossible to insure. In some states it also makes it impossible to register for road use without a licensed rebuilder and state inspection to change the salvage title to a rebuilt title.



But instead of worrying about it now, wait and see how it turns out.



Sorry this happened to you, I know it's a lot of stress.
?
2014-12-29 20:59:02 UTC
Actually, for an insurance company, totaled means that it will cost the same or more than the value of the vehicle to repair. They wouldn't spend 3 or 4 thousand $ to get the same back, there must be a profit, and the same applies to you. You Wouldn't spend $3,000 fixing it when the value of that same car is $2,500 (example). Find the value of your car then find out how much to fix, then you'll know.
Glenn
2014-12-28 06:08:37 UTC
You did not say what state it is titled in. You did not say if it was a single vehicle accident. You did not say if you have already had it looked at by the claims adjustor.

I will put myself in your situation, in Texas where I live, and tell you how I would do it:

I would tell the insurance agent up front I already have the repair skills and experience to repair it myself with professional fitting and welding services, and it will be far less costly to the insurer than a total write-off.

I would park the car at a first-rate body repair shop, talk things over with their manager first, and then invite the adjuster and claims agent to come have a look at the car, and I have a repair pro on-hand to simplify the discussion.

After I got approval to rebuild the car, I would have it put on an auto-body frame alignment machine, and measured for how bad the post is bent between the doors, and how bad the frame is bent right behind the rear door. That procedure would set me back about $300 and would tell me exactly how far out of line the body/frame (its a unibody = body and frame is the same piece of prefab contruction) is around the doors, and what I need to do to make it drive straight, and make the new doors open and shut and stay shut in another accident. From looking at the photo, the B-pillar between the doors is bent, but will not require a cutout, only a straightening with hydraulic force while being electrically heated. Not sure about the area right behind the rear door. I dont' ask for this frame alignment check in a state of ignorance. I can read the data and the data does not lie, so I cannot get lied to by a body shop. That information would cost you a pizza.

Next I go on eBay automotive, and about 2 dozen forums and search sites and collect info on the same year make and model and COLOR car from all over the USA. I spend probably 3 days looking, making phone calls, asking about parts, and asking what I can get them shipped for. You car is very common, there will be hundreds already off the road somewhere to choose from.

I then go (get the doors, the front fender, and the windows - and all the hardware that attaches and fits those pieces. The window lifts and the door locks, the door mounting shim pieces, the door latch components, the wire harnesses and connectors inside the doors) I go over the doors especially inside the doors and check what works, what is bent, what I can re-use from my old doors., inside and under the front fender where the plastic clips usually get broken on impact, I might need those too.

When I am done buying the doors and windows, and I have all the wiring and locks and hardware transferred into them from the old doors, I take the new doors already put completely together with the car to the shop that is going to straighten my frame, and let them go to town on it until the doors are set up right on the car, and everything is working right. Then I call the insurer and give them an exact rundown on the costs and what the final bill is looking like.

I am guessing from recent experiences I would have both doors, the fender, the windows and all the hardware I wanted from a parts car of the exact same color for $600 all-in. I would assemble the doors and install the front fender myself, I would drill and pull out the dents behind the rear door myself, and I would grind, sand, Bondo and apply primer and sealer to that area behind the rear door myself, Then I would let the frame shop straighten the B-pillar and mount the doors for something like another $500. Including the frame measurement up-front, I'm guestimating it would run up to about $1550 to do everything except the repainting of the spots that were not pretty enough. I might live with that for a year or so before getting a repaint done, and only use the closest matching spray paint and clear acrylic I could find until then.

If I had to get those prices down, I could trade stuff for the doors and windows and fender, I could haggle more, I could keep looking and travel further and I could get those prices down.

I also have the skills to buy a parts car same year-model-color and strip off all of its other parts and list them on eBay and sell them off.

I wrecked a Jeep grand Cherokee, rolled it, and rebuilt it myself- involving most of what was described above for your car, only lots more parts. Bought a totaled Jeep same color, same body, and got all my parts from it, Paid $1600 for the totaled Jeep, and over the next year, I sold the seats, interior carpets, steering column and locks as a set, transmission, front axle and wheel hubs, dashboard, complete rear drive-train, the wheels and tires, the stereo, and the rear hatch. I made more than $3000 from all of those parts I sold off on eBay. A good deal of my own work, and I paid for the repair and repainting of my own Grand Cherokee and even turned a profit.

Good luck. Hope I gave you some Ideas..
lucy
2014-12-26 07:09:38 UTC
The general rule is, (IF) repairs exceed 75% of fair market value, then insurance MUST total vehicle.



So, if your vehicle is worth $6,000, then, if repairs exceed $4,500, then won't be fixed. Insurance will pay fair market value to your lender, which is appears you are upside down on, and failed to buy GAP insurance, so, will owe the balance of the loan, (if totaled) to the lender.



Some states, allow you to keep the car, so insurance pays value MINUS salvage. But, unless you can find someone to fix, I doubt your lender will allow, since the cost to fix, "could" exceed value of the vehicle.



The appraiser will write an estimate, and also do an evaluation to see if the repairs exceed the guidelines in your state. Until that happens, no one on Y/A can tell you for sure.
?
2014-12-30 01:36:40 UTC
Technically, if the car isn't damaged more than 1/3 the value of the care it is Not total.

Telling me that money is a concern for you - I'd advice finding a ... proper insurance friend to make some documents for you
?
2014-12-26 19:12:48 UTC
Technically, if the car isn't damaged more than 1/3 the value of the care it is Not total.

Telling me that money is a concern for you - I'd advice finding a ... proper insurance friend to make some documents for you
?
2014-12-26 17:13:37 UTC
Just fix it with used parts and improvise, drive it and get that loan redone when the rates help you.

There are many talented bodymen in every city.

If you can pay your bill, you might find someone who is up for the challenge, or a welding class that can graft some newer patch pieces.

Open your mind and imagination to it, and encourage the talents of skilled students.

Just an idea. You find the same model at a wrecking yard. buy the car as a builder, or buy sections that you cut with a battery operated saw. you cut them extra huge, and let the talented ones graft it together if you cannot get the builder car.
armando r
2014-12-28 19:31:31 UTC
I would say it is I rebuilt salvage title cars in Houston tx and sell them for a profit I've seen cars with way less damage get salvaged I might be wrong but being the car that it is it's not worth the repairs I would fix it for about$3000 used or aftermarket pats but the dealer or insurance shop is going to say about $7000
?
2014-12-26 19:46:47 UTC
It looks like it would cost more to repair than what you could buy another one of the same year for. Get an estimate. You might be able to get it repaired enough to drive. I don't believe that you can make it in perfect shape again for what another one costs. Check around and find out what another one of the same year would cost as a used car. Check the Blue Book on line. Shop around and see for yourself how much it would cost to repair it from different body shops. It doesn't have to be pretty, it just has to be drivable.



My heart goes out to you. I am so sorry that you are in such a mess. Be nice, to the insurance people because you can catch more flies with sugar than you can vinegar.
Dan B
2014-12-28 16:02:15 UTC
The insurance company makes the determination if the vehicle is totaled or repairable based upon the value of the car before the accident. If they total the car, the insurance company will pay to your lender the value of the car BEFORE the accident occurred. I doubt you'll be making payments for a year or more (unless you failed to carry collision/comp coverage).
anonymous
2014-12-28 04:19:02 UTC
Totaled? Hell No. Take whatever amount they give you to get the car fixed. Swing by the Junkyard, pick up a few Fenders and Doors, and bolt them onto the car yourself. You'll save MONEY (long term and short term), and you'll also get yourself some real-world knowledge of how to do simple cosmetic repairs to your car.
Just
2014-12-28 20:11:54 UTC
Depends on if you own it out right! Door skins are 500 each bon yard complete 400.00 each paint bolt up... yes you can fix anything . No you dont need tons of money black is not rare today... if the pilliar is f**ked up or twisted it can be cut and welded ... if the roof is ever twisted or the floor beneathe its a shoe in its totalled
thebax2006
2014-12-30 06:22:15 UTC
Looks like the air bags did not deploy. That would add another $3,000 tot he body damage. You may be alright. Hope you have a policy that gets you a rental car!
?
2014-12-26 22:31:06 UTC
The involved insurance companies can do and will determine if your car is repairable or should be totaled.
?
2014-12-30 14:19:54 UTC
Its probably got 5 to 6.000 in damage easily. I lay odds its to totalled out.
Carroll Disher
2014-12-27 19:40:45 UTC
Just use it like that and call it a beater. The doors on that side can be taped/glued shut and improvised windows installed (clear plastic, cardboard, etc) and since the other side is currently undamaged just use that side to get in and out.
Kevin
2014-12-31 16:36:12 UTC
It is fixable. But might Cost more to fix than the car is worth
anonymous
2014-12-26 06:34:02 UTC
No one here has the slightest idea. ONLY the involved insurance companies can do and will determine if your car is repairable or should be totaled. You are wasting your time asking here.
Claire
2014-12-29 11:32:38 UTC
No one here can guess accurately. Did it not occur to you that gap insurance was pretty relevant to you?
anonymous
2014-12-27 23:46:06 UTC
it looks totaled

lmao
Timbo is here
2014-12-26 07:24:59 UTC
Looks totalled to me - sorry. Right or wrong it will be whatever it will be
anonymous
2014-12-29 05:01:18 UTC
But, unless you can find someone to fix, I doubt your lender will allow, since the cost to fix, "could" exceed value of the vehicle.
Austin Smith
2014-12-26 06:31:17 UTC
The insurance company may say its "totaled" but if its running and is drivable i would buy new doors and say its good, take it to a small like family owned garage and ask them if its worth fixing or to sell for parts or something
?
2014-12-27 12:35:36 UTC
I question your judgment as to asking invisible strangers about this. You neglected to tell us why this happened.
?
2014-12-28 10:44:46 UTC
No it is pretty bad but is fixable.
Robert
2014-12-26 20:55:19 UTC
yes
Larry
2014-12-27 08:24:24 UTC
Yea.
Muhammad
2014-12-27 01:24:09 UTC
you can replace the body parts.
?
2014-12-26 22:16:54 UTC
no,you can repair it.


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