Due to a run in with a Jeep Wrangler, my roadster is a total loss. I am ok, and already made a deal on an SRT-6, though so all is looking well.

I had a lot of mods on the car, and most were amazingly not destroyed in the wreck. Rims, new tires, intake, exhaust, stereo, wind diffuser, rear diffusers, etc. The adjuster made his first offer on the car and I told him that I would get him all the receipts for the stuff I added on Monday. I also have all my factory parts.

This is the first time I have ever dealt with a total loss situation.
1) Will I be able to retrieve any of my stuff and replace it with the factory items?
2) What are they likely to want to let me hold on to the wreck?
3) How does this usually play out? I need advice.

Thanks.

 

bhays,

I totaled mine about a month ago.

1) If you have the factory stuff and a kind adjuster they let you take things off the car that you can replace with factory equipment. However, you also have to remember that the adjuster factors in the value of the tread left on the tires, etc.
2) You will not be able to retain the car because it is less than seven years old. However, the adjuster should tell you who and where the car will be sold at auction. I think my adjuster said that they were starting the bid at $3500 or only expected to get $3500 I don't remember, but something like that.
3) In my case, once the insurance company and the adjuster declared the car a total loss they will get a current value for the car (i.e. my base coupe w/ 11,000 miles was valued at $16,900). Then the insurance company will coordinate paying off the lien holder (if there is one). Once the lien holder is paid off, the difference between the currrent value and your lien will be mailed to you in check form. This money is yours. Which for me, it was nice to see the large check, but sad because my first crossfire was gone...sadness.


I ended up getting into an '05 SRT for almost the same as the payments I was putting towards my previous crossfire. Just keep your eyes peeled and don't settle for anything less than you want.

I know for me the downside was that GEICO would only pay for a rental for roughly a week after they declared my car a total loss.

I hope this helps. Sorry about your loss, but glad you are ok.

P.S. Where are you located?

 

Thanks for the info. I am in Southern Indiana. I guess what I am wondering is this. Several people have told me that they were able to turn in their receipts for aftermarket items they had added to the vehicle, received value for those in their property damage settlement and then they were still able to get the items and replace them with the factory items. Is this what happened in your case?

 

By Law they have to give you replacement value for your car in your area. To get a good idea of what your looking at is to check the on line auto trader and see what the dealers are getting for the equivalent of your car, mileage, condition, color, and model. also they will include the tax license and registration fees. As far as the after market parts, they let me take my parts off and reinstall the factory ones. actually they told me to just put the parts in the cab of the car so I did that, remember they own the car at that point so don't create more damage to the car by removal your parts.

 

My car was 100% stock when it was totaled. Well except for the winter wheels/tires on the car, which I left on because I can get more money for the stock rims/tires. So I didn't have anything else I needed to take off the car.

However, whatever you can scrap off before they take it will be good. I did end up taking the floormats, air compressor, the flat tire fix cannister. Which I now have in my posession and will probably be trying to sell...As soon as I get off my lazy butt and take pictures.

 

Honestly, I believe the laws vary by state. The best person to ask is your insurance adjuster. In Virginia, a deer totaled my '99 300M and State Farm told me I could retain the vehicle for $750 (deducted from the payout), which I did. I repaired it myself then sold it; pretty much broke even, but it was a fun experience. I still miss the car. The law in Virginia states that anything that is "attached" to the car must stay with it. I was told this when my wife totaled our Grand Caravan just after I painstakingly installed a DVD system. I believe the insurance company told me I could remove it, but it would have to be done prior to the appraisal. I decided it wasn't worth the effort.

Ask your adjuster what your options are.

 

I had my cobra totaled last sept. I could have bought the car for 650 bucks. Like you I had several things I could have sold, off of the wrecked car. Stupid me all of the damage was to the rear of the car, so the motor was probably fine, maybe the tranny, wheels tires, front suspension etc. Have they given you a price to buy the car before it goes to auction? I'm definately kicking myself now for not buying it back. Sorry for your loss, sounds like your ok, good luck with the srt-6, and whatever else happens. chris

 

Yes, you can take items off the car and replace them with factory items. Aftermarket parts do not add to the value of your vehicle. If you take items from the vehicle and do not replace them, then expect the value of your vehicle to decrease.

I am an auto damage adjuster and I always have some moron taking off wheel covers, head rests, ...etc. Of course I have to lower the value of the vehicle and they never seem to understand why.

 

This is considered insurance fraud and is a felony. So you just have to ask yourself..... "Do you feel lucky?"

 

People always want to complain about how much they pay in insurance, yet nobody seems to think it is wrong to pad the claim. This is what contributes to your high rates.

Did you know on average you pay $100 more for every 6 months of insurance because of fraud?

 

I did recieve 1700 dollars more for my cobra, vs. initial offer, due to aftermarket items. I had closer to 4 grand in mods on the car. I did search cars.com, and ebay, for comparable cobras for the insurance company to realize that you can't just go pick up a modified cobra, or even a stock one for their initial offer. Kinda like finding a srt6 if your not in a larger city.