There is no extra for depreciation because the law states a vehicle repaired back to pre loss condition is at the pre loss value. There is no 50% depreciation for changing air bags. If he takes it to trade in the day after it's repaired he will get the same value as the day before it was in an accident.

And mechanics rebuild cars every day. If you pick a good one he is just as qualified or more so than any factory worker or robot back in Japan. And a repaired frame rail isn't going to cause "creeking" it's welded on just like a stock rail. Where do you guys get this stuff? Lol

 

You don't do anything different. As long as you reported to your ins company they take care of the rest. If they think it's worth going after the other guy to get their money back, that's up to them.

As far as carbon fenders, I read stocks are pretty light. Not 100% sure but carbon may not even be as light as the stock but just research it. You have time.

 

Not sure how long you've been buying and selling cars but there is a huge deprecation when airbags are deployed in a vehicle. No one said 50%, stick to the facts.

You are obviously not speaking from experience, if you were you would know how much loss is incurred when a vehicle sustains this type of damage.

"LOL" all you want, if you know anything about the insurance industry, "diminished value" is a huge deal.

So please go on and tell us how cars that have never been hit and have had their air bags deployed, are just as good and worth just as much as their non accident counter parts. Common sense.

Anyway OP, you should be looking at a couple grand over the cost of repairs if you play your cards right. Assuming the other driver was ticketed at fault in your case.
I'd love to respond to this, but there is just too much fail.

 

Yea, the two accidents I've been in I got "diminished value" compensation from the other persons insurance who was at fault.

 

I Googled it a bit online, but mostly only found ways to go after the other guys insurance company, and as I said their limit is $5000. Do I just tell my insurance company I want the diminished value? I also read online this increases the chance they'll total it.

 

You do not tell your insurance, you tell the at fault party's insurance.

Believe me you want that money because as soon as your car is fixed and back on the road it is worth less than before your accident.

If they total it they total it. You will be in better shape anyway especially since you have gap insurance.

 

What's a good way to get an number to say "hey this is how much" ?

 

You wait to see what they come up with first. They may just try and total it to begin with, which would be great in your situation.

If not, try and come up with a fair figure for just how much you are going to lose by having it repaired and go from there. Every vehicle is different, but I wouldn't take any less than 2k, and I would be trying for a lot more.

 

Wait, are you saying cars that have been in an accident like this are worth less based on just your common sense or do you have the data? I'm open minded to see data, your common sense isn't worth the front bumper on the OP's car.

Read back a few. He said 20-50%. I did insurance for over 3 years. Never paid for diminished value. Maybe here in CA it's different. If a car is really devalued that much shouldnt there be a much larger difference in prices we see in cars for sale when comparing same car, same miles, same appearance?

What are you talking about bags deployed? Once fixed the bags aren't deployed. Are you telling me that a car that has had its airbags deployed isn't as safe yet the government that meddles in every aspect of our lives is ok with that?

But I am curios on the outcome. Keep us informed. I do hope you get as much as you can. The situation is no fun. I'm just speaking my experience based on the work I have done not just because it "feels right".

 

A quick Google search proved him correct, my state even has laws on the books covering such a thing. There appear to be companies that exist solely to make insurance companies pay it as well.

http://www.collisionclaims.com/penns...inished-value/

 

Let's break this down. When is the last time you tried to trade a car in that had been an an accident with multiple airbags deployed? The fact is dealers and private parties alike will not pay the same for a vehicle that has been in such an accident. That is not an opinion, that is a fact. All the proof you need is pulling up at a dealer with a vehicle in that state, don't take my word for it.

Me personally, I have too much experience with this type of thing and none of it is "opinion". Owned 50+ cars of every brand, wrecked some, sold some, built some, anything and everything. My experience is vast, and so should yours being you spent 3 years selling/writing insurance.

You never paid diminished value? That says a whole lot right there.

Don't take this the wrong way, but you sound like a sleazy insurance under writer who wants to pay out as little as possible while trying to convince the person not at fault to smile and say thank you with their previously undamaged car that has now been put back together.

 

Some updated pictures, still no word from Allstate.

 

Allstate ****ing sucks. They screwed me over royally on a repair on a hit and run done on ME by a driver without insurance. Screw them.

 

I would try my best not to have this thing returned to me.

And yes, Allstate is god awful which is why they lost my business several years ago.

 

Its a Evo.The insurance gonna fix it.Your evo gonna look brand new again.That would suck being without the evo.