Anybody know what they go by when the car is totalled?

 

When I was in an accident a couple of years ago(not my fault) my car was totaled, and I was told bymy insurance company that they base the claim payout on the year of your vehicle,the mileage and make and model of your car at the time of loss.

 

I had a car accident during nov 1, 2005. My 04 mazda6 i was insured by Southern
California AAA. they ask me to bring my car to Seidner Collision Center in Alhambra, CA for repairing.

The first estimation was $8700. After I picked up my car. The bill was upto $12,000. The car was hard to drive straight after repairing. I guess it was caused by frame damage. After debating with AAA and Seidner's Collision Center, they finally purchase my car back $11,000. I lost $1,000 according to autotrader.com and kbb.

After this car accident, I was never be a AAA customer (more than 10 years royal customer)
Carmax was willing to buy my car at $9000 because of frame damage, There are $3000 difference between Kbb. The car was only 27,000 miles and 1 and half year old.

I hope you could find some simialr car value (no accident history) via autotrader.com

Good Luck

 

The insurance Co. will always try to lowball you. Look up Autotrader and show them what you see rather than what you thinkyour car is worth. Don't forget to add on the sales tax because that's what you have to pay when you buy the replacement. Youshould also add the cost of rustproofing, paint/seat protection, etc. that you have paid for the old car. Good luck.

 

BTW, they go by these red/blue books values. In Canada, it's very common that they will pay 100% ofwhat you paid ifa new car is totalled within 2 yrs.