Need some input on this,last night one of our locals idiots blew an intersection and took out the r/r quarter panel and the bumper of my 1982 300SD.With the amount of damage if the insurance company decides to total it is how do you determine a fair value or is there a place like KBB that shows the value of older cars like that?Thanks

One of the two KBB or NADA has a classic listing, I can't remember which.

Just remember, the ball is in your court, the car is yours, not the insurance company's. Make sure if it needs to be towed, it goes nowhere but your own driveway, so you can control the negotiation process.

Decide if you want to keep the car, if it is really nice besides the damage, you might want to keep it and use all the nice parts on a replacement vehicle.

Decide ahead of time how much money the insurance company is going to need to cough up to satisfy you. If they make you an unreasonably low offer, just tell them what it is going to take and politely refuse their offers until they come around. Remember, you own the car, so you can decide if you want to keep it or not, they can't "take the car" or "decide to total it". Remind them the longer it takes to settle with you, the longer they are going to have to provide you with a rental car, etc. Remind them it was their driver that hit you, and you are the victim. Refuse to sign any release forms, and tell them it is too early to tell if you have any back or neck injuries from the collision. Once they see that you are not just going to roll over, they will start getting serious.

Every time someone has run into one of my cars, I settle in this manner and I have always gotten a fair value for my car, and I have kept the car every time.

I decided to pay for collision insurance, on my 300D...it wasn't that much more $$$$ on my Nationwide policy....but my Nationwide Agent took photos of the car, and noted the good condition and mileage......if I hit a deer, or someone else runs into me....my car will be repaired or replaced at the current value of a similar car.

So, if this had happened to me....my insurance would see to it that I have a rental while they deal with the offenders insurance company......and either fix my car, or give me a check to replace it....

Note: I have 3 tagged and insured vehicles, and only the 300D has collision insurance.

SB

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Diesels:
'85 300D, "Max, Blue Benz", 155K, 27.0 MPG
'84 190D 2.2, "Eva, Brown Benz", 142K, 40.2 MPG
'77 240D (parts car)
'67 Eicher ES 202 Tractor "Otto" (2cyl, Air Cooled, 30HP)
Gassers:
'94 Ford F-150, "Henry", 170K (300 Six) 17.5 MPG
'85 190E 2.3, 148K....Parts Car
'58 Dodge W300M Powerwagon (Flat Fenders) Less than 10 MPG

the last time I was in an accident i spent alot of time talking w/ the adjuster. He said that more commonly the value of the car is determined by local listings, sales and other demographic data that is compiled on some national system. KBB etc... does not mean much. They are generic values.

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