i wouldnt sign off on a set price unless i absolutely new for sure it was going to be more than needed ..

what is your insurance company saying ? ask advice and state your issues .. u should be able to get this taken care of without shelling out any dough

I really don't think you have to worry...they admitted fault and have authorized repairs...it was their call to total it out before the repairs began and apparently they felt it could be fixed for less that it was worth before the accident. It's questionable to me whether that is prudent or not since you paid $11K for it and they are basically now committed to $10K to fix it but who knows...time will tell if it even gets to $10K.

If the shop keeps finding stuff to charge them for I don't think they can just decided to "stop paying" and stick you with it at this point. Again, wait and see what happens...hopefully you have a collision shop you feel comfortable with and who does good work. Just make sure it gets fixed correctly and you are satisfied with the job. Typically the insurance company will need to approve any additional charges, just make sure they do that should any come up and you should be good to go.

Since they admitted fault they have no basis to stick you with any liability now...in fact I hope you are getting reimbursed for a rental car while yours is out of commission. You'd typically be entitled to that too.

You're really talking nickels and dimes to them...they are so relieved when an accident doesn't end up with an injury that property damage claims are usually handled fairly well routinely. They would take a different stance if you were seriously injured because that could cause them serious money. An extra $1000 to fix your car is not a problem for state farm...

I wouldn't want a car that costs as much to fix than its worth. Tell them that if it costs more than 11k to fix it that you want them to pay for it or you want them to total the car for 11k. Then warn them that if the car is not fixed after they put 11k into it that you will have to sue them to finish the repairs. They won't want to take the risk and will probably total the car and you'll get your money back. You can then take the 11k and buy another one, if that's what you want to do.

I'd have to echo this sentiment, but I honestly don't think they have to give you the choice at this point. It doesn't hurt to ask however. The fact is I have never been completely satisfied with any major body repairs, there are always issues that are not resolved. You may be better off getting the cash out of it now and walking away rather than dealing with a car that has had major crash repair work done to it. Remember, when you go to sell it everyone is going to ask if it has ever been in an accident...when you dislcose this it will be very hard to find a buyer for it.

I did raise these issues with State Farm. My shop, however, told them the value of the car is $16.5k and they accepted that. They told me they'd give me the 7500 and let me decide whether to do the repairs or not, but not the 16.5. They said that purchase price is not relevant.

I guess I'll just have to drive the car forever. On the other hand, I think that this is a car somebody will always want, even if not for top dollar.

"Diminished value"
 

Marty (NHDoc) is right about the insurance company being right about the car's damage not being a big an issue as it would be, were there an injury.

The car needs to be fixed, and done right the first time.

If the amount goes over the supplemental, start screaming about "diminished value". (It is a fairly sophisticated concept, not widely understood, or publicized, but it is a supplement you get for having a car with "diminished" value due to being a repaired car, and no longer a mint original.)

Kind of like "halfway" to a salvage title and the loss of value that causes, I believe.

It is somewhat beyond my ken, but worth a deep google search, I think, especially if they start playing games with you.