@JHZR2: I've dealt with insurance companies for many years and found that 1) they live and die by their contract which means that the OP needs to actually read it and 2) carriers frequently need the situation explained else they simply go using the WAG method of paying claims.

Example: Normally, car claims are not covered under home owners. A friend of mine had a realatively new A4 that was damaged when water ran off the house roof and got into the electronics necessitating the replacement of multiple computers and wiring.

This claim was originally declined. We simply quoted the contract verbiage that we thought applied and told them to actually investigate the claim. Then we had the local indy who was a friend come up with cost to repair. The carrier ended up totaling the car, paid my friend and sent what looked like a beautifully maintained car with no body damage to auction.

We did have to get to the correct person with enough authority to over ride the first decision. We also had to make a case for what the price which included supplying maintenance records.

Another time, an employee working for a contractor client blew himself up when blasting while on the job. The employee was supposed to have had self-purchased life insurance. Unfortunately, he was never properly enrolled and the carrier had never received any premium from him. That claim was also paid after the clerical error was corrected.

OP needs to push to get what he wants. Carrier sees old car, 50% liability and makes an offer accordingly. OP also needs to go after the party that has the other 50% liability with the caveat that he may not want to go against his own carrier if it means an at-fault claim on his record AND the dollars are small. If his carrier already knows about the at fault, then file because the black mark is already on his record as far as the carrier is concerned.

State laws differ and the OP should confirm what they are in his state. His agent should be able to help if he is competent. If not, get another who is.

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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.