Totaled gen 3 montero. :(

[jasonsuperb]

So the montero I just bought a month ago is most likely totaled by a dumb teenager who rear ended me. I have done nothing but spend money on it and work on it since I bought it and on my 3rd drive in it, RUINED!

I'm hoping people might have some experience and insight on how to deal with insurance. The other driver was cited at the scene and his insurance should be paying for damages. But if they say it is totaled I'm afraid I will only get the cash value. Any way to get my actual cost out of pocket?

I'm also wondering if people have ever bought their vehicle back after it's been considered totaled? How much did they charge?

Currently the truck is in my garage, the adjuster is coming to look at it on Tuesday.

Any info might help. Thanks. And so much for the build thread I just started!




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[TerrenceLP]

Get a lawyer - then a new gen 3!

Sucks in the gut! But now you know you are in Love!

 

[JohnnyBfromPeoria]

Amazing what it did to that pickup. Glad you are all right. Have any receipts handy for the insurance adjuster. Hope they are fair with you.

John B.

 

[PirateMcGee]

Don't let the adjuster just go off NADA. Get receipts and start a list of vehicles in comparable shape and mileage that are being sold. Our minty car was just totaled out and we got 20% more than their initial offer due to this. Buy back will be fairly cheap and could be very worth it depending on the damage. Negotiate what the vehicle is worth before asking about buying it back.

 

[PirateMcGee]

Looking at it more it looks pretty heavily damaged, I would only buy it back for parts. Sucks man.

 

[ifixpc]

That sucks man.
Last year I was in the same situation while driving our odyssey.
Got rear ended, totalled. Car was worth $8500. (including new timing belt job)
Adjuster from the guys insurance company was a pain to work with, they started with 4700, got all way up to 5500. Didn't want to listen to anything as comparable vehicles, receipts for recent work etc.
I got pissed and went to my insurer, who took care of me.(state farm)
Got a check for $9000 and $500 deductible back after 3 months.

wish you luck!

 

[Marutuk]

That sucks, hope you'll get a decent amount back for this. And if you can get the car back for parts, you can hopefully still get some decent parts out of it

 

[Sabre]

You pay for representation when you carry insurance...they work for you. Let them deal with the other party, and remember that this is an adversarial relationship. Your line should be, "talk to my insurance."

Glad you weren't hurt. The mighty Mitsu took good care of you!

Best wishes...let us know what happens.

 

[loremordred]

Glad you are OK.

In cali, if they were responsible and it's totaled, then you should get the same value back, or kbb value.


Let us know what happens, may be useful for parts.
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[RyanY]

Keep in mind that a vehicle being declared a total loss is due to the cost of repairs being more than what the vehicle is worth, and not necessarily related to how badly the vehicle is damaged. Most insurers set that point at about 80% of the mid-book value (halfway between wholesale and retail bluebook value) of the vehicle, with the other 20% reflecting scrap value and other miscellaneous costs (towing, storage, etc.) on the claim. Whether you as the owner want it repaired or totaled can have an affect on the outcome. If you're wanting to have it fixed, letting the adjuster know that you would prefer to fix it and are okay with him writing the estimate using used parts (used parts are OEM and will usually fit better and be better quality than new aftermarket parts) can help keep repair costs down and prevent it from being totaled.

 

[75S30]

The way that rear quarter panel is buckled I would be very hesitant to repair it. I think you're better off negotiating a fair settlement with the adjuster and looking for another Montero. When it comes to the insurance company you can go through your insurance if you have collision coverage and they may be more willing to go to the high end of their range but keep in mind every insurance company has to keep the bottom line in mind and all offers have to be based on something tangible. This is why it is extremely important to provide receipts for any recent repairs or new maintenance type items. It helps give the adjuster justification for placing your vehicle closer to the top end of the range. I would also look for what similar Monteros are selling for in similar condition. This also helps the adjuster place yours in the correct price range to begin with. Either way, it really sucks to lose a car like this. We all know how hard these can be to find in good condition.

The other recommendation I would give you is to remember that you likely have a bodily injury claim available to you as well for pain and suffering. These claims can be negotiated and it is important to let the bodily injury adjuster know about any impact or inconvenience this has caused you. Any lost wages, any doctor's appointments, even just going to work for a few weeks while under pain can net you some money in your pocket. It is definitely worth looking into.

 

[brad2274]

What im seeing is a kbb value of about $6,100 on your montero, and at least $3000 in damage (frame is probably good but the quarter panel is buckled and the body frame underneath is likely bent out of whack, itd be a lot more than just a panel, door, and bumper to fix it) ie. 1200 in final re painting of rear, 600-900 in body/frame parts, 1200+ in cutting, pulling, and welding labor.
Chances are it will be over 50% cars value and be totaled. its not so bad as that way you dont have to wait forever and possibly not like the result of fixing it, and you wont have a car with a clean record when its done. but finding another clean low miled one idk if thats hard.


So id clean the cab real well, show receipts for parts, tell them you paid a lot for it, you guys agree on price they pay out for it. then ask about a buy back and if its under maybe 1300 id go for it, start stripping it and making a few bucks off the parts, scrap shell for $300 or so. but keep parts until you get another and see if theyre parts youll need as spares.

Id keep all the glass, small motors, common electronics, motor accessories, seats if theyre better than new monteros, then sell driveline and wheels then scrap body, make all the buy back price back.

 

[earljuic3]

I would be interested in quite a few things off this truck if you buy it back, like said before let us know how it works out!

 

[Michael Brown]

I had this happen 2 years ago, but my '01 got in a fight with some ice and flipped into a ditch. Glad there were no injuries. Talk with your insurance about the agreed price before accepting. Mine was only worth $800 in trade-in, but insurance valued at $5500. I paid off what little was left on a loan and used the rest as down payment for my current '05. I will say that these beasts can definitely withstand hard hits without injuring occupants. Mine rolled over the roof twice before finally stopping. As much fun as a carnival ride, but maybe a little safer.

 

[earljuic3]

Man that baby took one hell of a hit, glad everyone is ok RIP to the MITSU