Been in this situation before (not my fault, but ins co wants to total my car).

I agree with getting your ins co involved just to see what they will do for you. Absent any help, here is what you need to do.

Scour the internet for ads for cars for sale just like yours. AutoTrader and others are very usable with pictures and good descriptions. Print them out and create a spreadsheet to show how many cars are like yours (year, mileage, condition). This will put you on the offensive when it comes to establishing the value of your car, and you'll know the number before you talk to the ins co. Make sure you throw out the really high price(s) ads or the really low; use the 80/20 rule or 90/10.

Now that you have the value in mind for what you want, its time to negotiate. If the first person you talk to gives you what you want, accept it and move on. But that rarely happens. Susie or Sammy the telephone claims settler are using a script and values their managment has provided (they can start their offers as low as 50% 60% of what they KNOW your claim is worth. I don't accept settlements unless I have escalated up at least one management level above Suzie or Sammy. Example; my son's 87 Maxima: Ins co offered 1600 at first. By the end of the escalation (three phone calls) their offer was $2145. Not big numbers, I know, but its the percentage that is important.

Don't be an arsehole when talking to them - be nicer than they are but clear about your intentions. "I understand this is all you can offer but as you can see, I have good reason to believe my car is worth more than what you have offered. I'd like to speak with your supervisor if you have reached the limit of what you can settle for. What is their name?".

The most important thing is to have solid research in your pocket when setting the value of your car. As easy as it is to do, most people fold and accept the first offer. If your ins co wants to handle all the negotiations for you (cold day in hell from my experience), then you need to sell them on the value of your car.

Good luck and smile everytime you talk to someone who is making you and offer.

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