My car was declared a Total loss?

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2010-08-14 15:03:18 +0000	They are offering you $300 more than the fair market value, probably based on those things you added. And keep in mind once you settle with them, they are going to be paying the tow bill also. Talk to the insurance company. General rule is, if you bolted it to the car if stays with the car because it's part of it. But I have heard of insurance companies that will let you take off add ons by putting the factory parts back on. If you want the rims, put the old ones (with the tires of course) back on and you can have your after market rims. The other alternative is to buy the car back from the insurance for salvage value, reducing your settlement and making the tow and storage bill yours. Of course in that case you also get a salvage title issued. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

2010-08-14 15:10:10 +0000	Your problem is the fact that the car is sitting in the tow yard. If you want it then you need to move fast because every day it sits in the yard it racks up storage fees. The insurance co. will probably let you have the car for a couple of hundred dollars less on the settlement. Otherwise they just send it to Pick and Pull. If you don't pay the tow yard then you will get even less because they will get their fees reimbursed from the insurance co. and that shrinks your settlement. You can't get anything for rims or fancy parts... If you want them back then take a lower settlement and pay off the tow yard. My advise... take the $1300 and call it a loss... chances are slim that you will get the exact same car again that you could use those parts on. You will just end up with parts sitting in the garage and another tow bill to get the rest of the wreck to Pick and Pull. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

2010-08-14 15:42:13 +0000	Insurers make an offer based on the market value of the vehicle, less any deductions for wear and tear, and for high mileage etc, so the offer they make is what they beleive it would cost to replace. However, people often spend money on the car and they should keep the receipts for any work they have done to the car and show these to the loss adjuster if it is written off. He may review his valuation on seeing the receipts. If you are not happy with the valuation, the first port of call is to write to the insurer and tell them why. The offer they originally make is not a final offer and they can increase it. If they still do not offer an amount you agree with, you can take it to arbitration through the insurance ombudsman. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No