totaled 1983 300D - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Junkman · #16 01-22-2014, 11:17 AM

Take the money. Buy the car back for ~ $250 scrap value and fix it. Take pics with a camera that has time & location data as documentation of the damage. Document the repair also & drive it for years.

Be thankful that you have more money than necessary to fix it and that you weren't in an accident that damaged people you care about. Besides the damage, fix some things that have been neglected. You'll be out time and effort. Don't waste more time ruminating about whatever other negatives you think of.

Edit: Some states let you restore a salvaged title.

JB3 · #17 01-22-2014, 11:26 AM

why can't this claim be cancelled? is there any way to do that? we are talking a few hundred dollars in parts and some elbow grease here, not thousands in body repair.

Seems far worse to screw up the title than it would be to pay to have a new windshield installed, and get a hood and hinges and bolt them on.

martureo · #18 01-22-2014, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JB3

why can't this claim be cancelled? is there any way to do that? we are talking a few hundred dollars in parts and some elbow grease here, not thousands in body repair.

Seems far worse to screw up the title than it would be to pay to have a new windshield installed, and get a hood and hinges and bolt them on.

The cowlings between the windshield and hood are probably pretty knackered. I know mine were. And that's body shop work, I'm not one for messing around with body filler.

Mad_Matt · #19 01-22-2014, 05:02 PM

Thanks for all the advice.

Filing and insurance commission complaint at the prompting of my agent because she's on my side and can't get anywhere with the total loss team. I think she's with me because she get a cut of my insurance premiums but also because when I got the stated value policy 4 years ago it was so I could tag an inoperable vehicle and park it on the street while I was swapping the engine and making it mechanically sound. I made the mistake of not changing the policy values out of ignorance after I got her running.

For value of our cars check NADA you'll be very surprised the retail value range from $5050 to over $11k.

The cowl is tweaked a good bit but I might be able to hammer out most of the dents or cut the ends off and weld new ones on once I pull the hood off.

As for the fighting sometimes the fight is more about what's right than what it's worth. Canceling that calim is not an option at this point and my wife's patience with the whole exercise is up and she's pushing for me to take the cash and run.

Not sure which way I'm going to go.

The salvage status on the title still limits my sale options as some states do not title cars with salvage titles.

tangofox007 · #20 01-22-2014, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad_Matt

Filing and insurance commission complaint at the prompting of my agent because she's on my side and can't get anywhere with the total loss team. I think she's with me because she get a cut of my insurance premiums but also because when I got the stated value policy 4 years ago it was so I could tag an inoperable vehicle and park it on the street...

Sounds like your agent could have done a better job helping you make appropriate decisions about your insurance requirements. Unfortunately, at this point, the die is cast.

What will be the basis of your complaint?

97 SL320 · #21 01-22-2014, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rscurtis

I would think you might have a case with the company that makes the GD operator. There is no way it should be able to develop enough force to damage a car.

There is this thing called leverage. . . . The door co isn't at fault, leaving the car hood up was the cause of this incident.

97 SL320 · #22 01-22-2014, 06:26 PM

How about this to counter salvage status.

Have the car inspected ( MD has inspection for cars at time of sale correct? ) , note items that need repaired for a sticker. Repair the items to pass, get a sticker / paper stating the car passes. Push the issue that how can a car that currently passes MD inspection be tagged salvage.

You might need to get your state district govt rep involved, they may be able to push things along.

Skid Row Joe · #23 01-23-2014, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad_Matt

So had an issue with my garage door that caused some hood and windscreen damage failed safety stops and screw drive spells disaster for Benz hood stops, hinges, cowl, hood and glass.

The INS Co's preferred body shop overestimated the repair costs because they said they did not want the work and over estimated everything. To many over estimations to list. I'm going to a know Benz friendly independant shop tomorrow weather permitting for a follow up estimate complements of another form member.

So based on the limits of my stated value policy the ins co is considering the car a total loss based on the policy value and not fair market value of $5050. They've demanded the title so they can have MD flag the title as salvage even though the damage is far less than 75% of fair market value.

A form member here has offered to sell me all the parts I need to fix her back up so I'm fighting that salvage status but may loose.

If I loose do I keep the car with the salvage title and fix it knowing that my resale options will be severely limited or part her out. I was planning on passing the car on in a year or two as I'm due for a relocation about then. This is a nice clean rust free southern car just abt everything is new. 211k chassis abt 190k+/- on swap in engine and 15-20k on trans.

Tips, suggestions and offers for assistance appreciated.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad_Matt

Thanks for all the advice.

Filing and insurance commission complaint at the prompting of my agent because she's on my side and can't get anywhere with the total loss team. I think she's with me because she get a cut of my insurance premiums but also because when I got the stated value policy 4 years ago it was so I could tag an inoperable vehicle and park it on the street while I was swapping the engine and making it mechanically sound. I made the mistake of not changing the policy values out of ignorance after I got her running.

For value of our cars check NADA you'll be very surprised the retail value range from $5050 to over $11k.

The cowl is tweaked a good bit but I might be able to hammer out most of the dents or cut the ends off and weld new ones on once I pull the hood off.

As for the fighting sometimes the fight is more about what's right than what it's worth. Canceling that calim is not an option at this point and my wife's patience with the whole exercise is up and she's pushing for me to take the cash and run.

Not sure which way I'm going to go.

The salvage status on the title still limits my sale options as some states do not title cars with salvage titles.

Perhaps I missed it, but what amount of money is the insurance company offering you for the car total loss?

Or, are they offering to repair it?

Mad_Matt · #24 02-10-2014, 11:29 PM

The car was totaled at 3K.

I actually took the time to write the Insurance company a letter explained the situation documented the improvements and repairs I've made to the car since the stated value policy was written identifying the issue and the cause of the insurance gap.
With some coaxing and some assistance from my agent I got the payment minus the scrap value and it's mine free and clear. Now I need the weather gods to work with me so I can fix her up.

Thanks for all the tips now it's time to get the windscreen w seal and rear window seal replaced the it will be on to the sheet metal.

Looks like weather permitting I'll be heading south next weekend to grab the much needed parts.

Skid Row Joe · #25 02-11-2014, 03:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad_Matt

The car was totaled at 3K.

I actually took the time to write the Insurance company a letter explained the situation documented the improvements and repairs I've made to the car since the stated value policy was written identifying the issue and the cause of the insurance gap.
With some coaxing and some assistance from my agent I got the payment minus the scrap value and it's mine free and clear. Now I need the weather gods to work with me so I can fix her up.

Thanks for all the tips now it's time to get the windscreen w seal and rear window seal replaced the it will be on to the sheet metal.

Looks like weather permitting I'll be heading south next weekend to grab the much needed parts.

Sounds like a fair settlement to me. Good luck.