Insurance company totaled your car? Look at your options!

With the recent snow, we've seen an increase in "fender-benders", and with those fender-benders, comes an increase in insurance claims.   Have you ever been in an accident, looked at the damage to your vehicle and thought:  "Hmmm, it doesn't look that bad...", only to find out that the insurance company totals your car?  We've seen this situation unfold a number of times already this year, and it's happening more-and-more. 

Cars and trucks are becoming more and more complicated to repair and insurance companies often find it less troubling to "total loss" a car instead of paying to have it fixed.  If you find yourself in this situation, and you don't want to go out and start shopping for a new car, perhaps you could consider another option.  In most cases, your vehicle can be purchased back from your insurance company at a nominal fee (usually under $500).  You can then hire a body shop (like ours) to repair the car.  Often we can repair the vehicle at a cost very close to that of your insurance payout amount... and you can KEEP your car!  In many cases, your car will now have a "Salvage" title, but if the damage you sustained was minor or merely cosmetic, and the car has been good to you, this title will be of little consequence, especially if you plan on keeping your car a while.

Josh welding the parts to the front of this 2006 Chevy Express Van.

 

Consider this case...  A local contractor has a fleet of vans.  This van sustained a large hit to the front in the Christmas week snow storm we had recently.  Their insurance company came out, appraised the damage to the van and totaled it.  The van is a 2006 with 50K miles on it.  The damage was fairly substantial, but did not affect the motor, drive-train, transmission, airbags, or any major mechanical aspects of the vehicle.  The contractor has kept up the maintenance on this van and had expected to get a number of additional years out of it.  They did not want to take their $6500 insurance payout only to have to turn-around and buy another $25,000 vehicle.... so we're fixing it.  We found some aftermarket, reconditioned and used parts and are repairing it.  The contractor is still going to have to pay a portion of the repair cost out of pocket, but this expense will be CONSIDERABLY lower than purchasing a different vehicle.  Needless to say... they are "tickled pink" and are excited to get their van.... and guys... if you are reading this... it should be done by Friday!

If you find yourself in a similar situation.  Please call us or stop by for a free consultation.  We'd appreciate the opportunity to see if we can help you through your unfortunate situation.

Make it a GREAT day!