Also guys, thanks again for all the kind words and advice. I still feel physically tip top, but if I do feel the slightest thing, I'll get it checked out. I feel pretty optimistic about the insurance. I will just make sure to do my homework and be prepared. Thanks guys.

__________________
1984 Mercedes-Benz 300D

I can picture that scenario very easily. Most people in this country, particularly in the parts that don't get snow, don't get enough practice driving at and beyond the limits of traction. That should be added to basic driver training.

__________________
Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.

What were some of the buy back figures some have been offered by the insurance companies after totaling your W123 diesels?

These cars are very valuable when it comes to what they bring in any collision/total.....

Wife hit a deer with her 85 300D, they did not total it. Paid $1800.

Few years ago, a woman plowed into the driver's rear quarter panel of my 1980 240D, her insurance company did not total it. Paid $2715.

__________________
1987 300SDL #1, 1987 300SDL #2, 1980 240D, 1982 300SD, 1994 S350, 1990 350SDL, 1991 350SD, 1985 300D, 2005 E320CDI

Gone, but not forgotten: 1981 300SD, 1982 300SD, 1987 300SDL, 1983 300TD, 1980 300CD, 1981 300SD #2, 1987 300D, 1987 300TDT, 1980 300D

Offered $2500, took $2200 and kept the car.

__________________
Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.

Very interesting. I hope they don't try to fix mine. The passenger side of the front of the frame is pushed in pretty significantly, and you can visually see that the engine has shifted in the engine bay. The trans was shifted and probably damaged as well, it can't even move into park anymore. When I pushed the car off of the road, it made a terrible clanking noise from the drivetrain. The radiator cracked, among many other items that got damaged in the engine bay. At a minimum, the passenger fender, hood, and front bumper would have to be replaced. I believe I heard a knocking like sound from the engine before I shut it off.

I know that no one is an insurance adjuster, but y'all think they would try to fix that?

__________________
1984 Mercedes-Benz 300D

You'll just have to wait and see.

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I am STILL in litigation -- going for a class action in the next couple of months -- against USAA 5 years after an accident caused by one of their insureds. Feel free to PM me if you have questions. With USAA, all is not as it seems. As a third party, you will not likely be treated well. It also matters what state you're in, which is why Hunter asked, though I find no answer.

__________________
Anthracite 1980 300D -- 64k original miles with a new engine, on the road again!
Silver 300D -- second owner, Sunny's old baby, Ilse, 210 miles,
Having to thin the herd….
Silver 1983 300SD -- second owner, 325k miles
Gold 1981 300D -- well-traveled, solid little car
Beige 1984 300D -- 292k miles, grease machine, parting out
Seafoam green 1981 300SD -- 250k, windshield frame damage
too many assorted w123 & w126 cars, parts cars, and extras

Post#5.

He is in Florida.

.

__________________
ASE Master Mechanic
asemastermechanic@juno.com

Prototype R&D/testing:
Thermal & Aerodynamic System Engineering (TASE) Senior vehicle instrumentation technician.
Noise Vibration and Harshness (NVH).
Dynamometer.
Heat exchanger durability.
HV-A/C Climate Control.
Vehicle build.
Fleet Durability
Technical Quality Auditor.
Automotive Technical Writer

1985 300SD
1983 300D
1984 190D
2003 Volvo V70
2002 Honda Civic

https://www.boldegoist.com/

Perhaps you already posted this, but, what was the condition of, and miles on the car? Can you provide these two keys pieces of documentation on the car to others involved in pricing out your wrecked car?

With some comps (comparable sales pricing around the Internet) you might be able to get some handsome dollars for your car, if the evidence you can present is compelling enough, that is.....

Wow! Just saw this - what you can get for a wrecked car that old. It would be hard to believe unless reading the testimonial.

Firstly, I am glad the OP is OK. Having no air bags probably saved you a concussion and a broken nose.

I would hope USAA pays out well. They charge me $2,250/yr to insure two 1983 300SDs and one 1991 F250. I'm 26 and I have not been in an accident since 2006. Never even got a speeding ticket. I drive a combined 15K miles or less per year. Two years of paying for insurance costs more than what I paid for all 3 vehicles combined.

__________________
1991 F250 super-cab 7.3 IDI. (rebuilt by me) Banks Sidewinder turbo, hydroboost brakes, new IP and injectors.
2003 S430 - 107K
1983 300SD - Tanoshii - mostly restored ~400K+.
1983 300SD - Good interior. Engine finally tamed ~250K.
Monark Nozzle Install Video - http://tinyurl.com/ptd2tge

My '82 300D is insured by an affiliate of USAA. Agreed value: $13,500.

__________________
When cryptography is outlawed, bayl bhgynjf jvyy unir cevinpl.

Agreed value, and what they will pay may not be the same. They can agree or declare any amount beforehand. I wouldn't want to bet on receiving that amount, until I had it in hand. Sounds pretty steep for any 82 300D.

Really? Do you have any personal experience with an insurer failing to deliver on an agreed-value policy?


I am betting that I would. And I have done precisely that in the past.

http://www.americancollectors.com/E-Newsletter/Agreed-Value-Coverage/553/

__________________
When cryptography is outlawed, bayl bhgynjf jvyy unir cevinpl.