My 1982 300TD (wagon) hit a deer going about 50mph a week ago and it did some damage, but not much - radiator, fan, lights, grill - but the body is 100% fine. Well I hear from the adjuster today they are totalling it because the work ($2800) is greater than the value of the car ($2500). I have never been through this process before and wonder what my recourse is. The car is/was in excellent condition, no rust, drives great, 214K miles, just put 2K into it (front end, brakes, ets), and it really is a creampuff. And I was just indignant when the adjuster told me they did a "market survey" of same cars for sale and found an average price of $2500 - I asked 'where in the hell are you guys looking" because I cannot find a 300TD in comparable condition for under $5000.00. He says the "Total Loss" department will be calling and maybe I can take the money and fix it myself, but then I will not be able to get collision on it anymore. He did say they can give me the total value without noting the title as "totalled". Is that possible?

The whole thing makes me angry that I paid this insurance co (USAA) the extra money for collision only to have them jip me when it came time to pony up. Any guidance on how I should play this?

I too am a USAA member .... for about 30 years....
I think you should do a search on this topic .. there have been some good discussions on situations like this.... and good solid advice in them....

You gotta have get some ammo my friend.

Look up values on NADA.com, KBB.com and EDMUNDS.com

And then you'll be prepared to argue the issue. Good luck.

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Toblin

'79 300D, "Liesel von Diesel", 235K

I kid proofed the house....but they still get in

If all else fails ask them about being paid, keeping the car and getting a "salvage title".

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Toblin

'79 300D, "Liesel von Diesel", 235K

I kid proofed the house....but they still get in

If you didn't have the car insured for an agreed value then you will only get what they give you. If they will give you $2500 and a clean title I say take it. Get the car fixed, from your description the payout should cover it and then take your insurance business to another company and insure it for an agreed value. RT

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When all else fails, vote from the rooftops!
84' Mercedes Benz 300D Anthracite/black, 171K
03' Volkswagen Jetta TDI blue/black, 93K
93' Chevrolet C2500HD ExCab 6.5TD, Two-tone blue, 252K

Re: RWThomas comment:

I don't know how insurance works in other states but in NJ "Agreed Value" applies to cars registered and insured as "Historic" or “Classic" vehicles.

But then you're limited to miles driven per year, (3000). But then again, again, I pay less than $100 a year to insure my car as a NJ "Classic Vehicle".

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Toblin

'79 300D, "Liesel von Diesel", 235K

I kid proofed the house....but they still get in

Definetely do a search here, and fight them on it.

I had a similar situation with a Passat Wagon TDI last year, and through the assistance of the TDI community, and persistence in calling the State Farm 'total loss' center, was able to get their valuation of the car upped from $7600 to $9800. Car was already declared a total loss, but I was able to buy the car from them for the salvage value ($1100), even though it did not have a salvage title. Car was then rebuilt by someone else and now happily resides in Oregon.

Get to know everyone at the insurance company, until you find the one person there that actually wants to help. Then get a direct number for them.

Here's how it's dealt with:

Had a CHERRY '74 Maverick "Grabber" with NO RUST (Boulder car all its life) peppy 302 with 69k orig miles. Light, fast, fun car (except to work on - it was a Ford after all) and low miles, but a 1974 vintage.

Was sitting at a light in Gunbarrel, CO and was hit from the rear hard enough to knock the rear view off the windshield, bent the frame, body wrinkles at each rear well, pushed me into the car ahead who was also stopped.

Lady's insurance comes back with a "total" value of $500. There's no way in hell or earth you could buy that car for $500 or even close. So I got onto the Maverick club websites and start asking about values. Luckily, I had recent pics of the car and mileage verification with the title. A few members wrote up what it was "ACTUALLY" worth with the body, engine, condition, etc.

To them, if I had sold it at a rally or to a Maverick club member with all that it was, they would reasonably expect to pay $2200-2500 min. I forwarded this info onto the insur co, then a few damage estimates. They sent me a check for $2200 and that was all I heard of it.

So...., here's a good reason why we ALL need to stick together, post pics of our car frequently and then back each other up with REALISTIC values for our vehicles.

My car may not be worth much on the gen'l market, but for the $1,880 in parts that I have PERSONALLY installed (that would have cost $5,000 or more to have everything done at a shop) and the sweat equity, the car is worth $10k (to me and for the work anyway).

So KEEP RECEIPTS for parts, keep track of REASONABLE estimates for time spent on repairs (most shops charge $50 and up for hourly rates around here) and consider direct replacement ability.

All in all, $2000 or so isn't bad, I would've expected them to total it for $500!

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1984 300D Turbo - 4-speed manual conversion, mid-level resto

1983 300D - parts car

1979 300TD Auto - Parts car.

1985 300D Auto - Wrecked/Parts.


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"If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there". Lewis Carrol

Try to keep your car and fix it yourself but also try not to get a salvage title. It will have an adverse effect on marketability if you should ever want to sell it.

My 85 300TD was totaled in April of this year. There was a discussion on this thread (Head-on 40MPH collision!!!) regarding insurance companies. First, KNOW your rights! Look up insurance regulations in your state. Second, know which insurance company and their reputation for dealing with clients. I had to deal with Allstate. Horrible reputation (allstateinsurancesucks.com). Started out with a low ball offer. I did my homework on my rights, REPLACEMENT VALUE, comparable for sale listings (ebay, on-line for sale sites, newspaper, etc.) and held fast. In NJ, the deal is not complete until BOTH parties agree on a price. There is also the option of writing to the Department of Insurance if they get nasty.

Final settlement was approximately $4,300.00. If I can be of any other help, PM or e-mail me. I will do what I can.

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Paul

1991 300TE (280,000)
1985 300TD (432,000 miles - retired)
1976 300D (225,000 - retired)
1975 300D (165,000 - retired)

Looked at your address and relize that you are in NJ. Sorry. PM me. I work in Parsippany and have the "insurance" file from my accident at the office.

I hope that I can help.

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Paul

1991 300TE (280,000)
1985 300TD (432,000 miles - retired)
1976 300D (225,000 - retired)
1975 300D (165,000 - retired)

okay - thanks to all your help (especially 300TD) I have compiled a pretty compelling case and have submitted it to my pals in the Total Loss Dept. I will let you know how it goes.

I am also a USAA member, but do not use their insurance, I use GEICO. I've always been happy with them, but I've never had a claim. Some unfortunate other people had claims, though. Yes, Allstate has a bad rep. for paying claims.

One thing you can do, although its pretty much been addressed in different words, is to let them total your car, and then buy it back from them for some small consideration. I don't know the effect on the title, though, but even if you did sell it, you can always explain what happenned and keep the documentation to show a potential buyer.

My dad had a similar problem with the party at fault's insurance company when his 82 Datsun diesel pick up got rear ended. The company wanted to total the truck and give him only about a $1000 for it. They even included a so called comparable from a local classified ad showing the market value of something like it for $1000. The problem was they used a non diesel as the comp. Well at the time Datsun diesels, when you could find them, were selling for around three times that. He asked me to help him out and luckily I found 4 of them for sale averaging over $3000. So I made copies and submitted them to the company. He got a check for $2800 less $400 for salvage. He kept the truck because the damage wasn't too bad and we fixed it ourselves for less than $500. No salvage title was ever issued because the insurance company never took possession of the truck.

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DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012

I hit a deer with my 83 300TD and pushed in the radiator, broke the grill, bent hood ect.
I have liability only insurance in NY. I told the insurance Co. they said I wasnt covered for that,
so I got a hood and grill, radiator, lights etc. all cost about $200 to fix my self. Bought the car for $1500 two years before.:p

Greasy

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83 300TD, DC Sprinter,
94 Grumman step van (WVO)