Hello, I’m seeking advice on this situation. I was recently in a fender bender where I was hit from behind while sitting in traffic. There were two cars involved: the one behind me and the one that hit that car, causing it to hit mine.
My insurance company, Allstate, says my car is totaled. The damages exceeded the value of my car by $100. They had their own company inspect my car and say that since I’m still paying off the car, I have to take the payout. The bank will get what I owe, and I’ll receive the remainder, which is $2,600. I paid a lot for my car and wasn’t looking to downgrade. They say nothing else can be done, and it doesn’t matter if I get a different body shop to assess the repair costs.
Am I being taken advantage of, or is this really my only option?
I’m sorry to hear about your accident and the situation with your car.
It sounds frustrating, especially since it wasn’t your fault and now you’re facing a financial headache. Here’s what you might want to consider:
Review Your Policy: Double-check the details of your insurance policy, especially the section on total loss and payouts. This will help you understand what Allstate is obligated to do.
Get Another Opinion: Even though Allstate says it won’t make a difference, getting an independent assessment from another body shop or an appraiser can provide you with more information and might help you negotiate a better payout.
Negotiate with Allstate: You can try negotiating with Allstate, especially if you feel the payout doesn’t reflect the fair market value of your car. Provide evidence from other assessments to support your case.
Gap Insurance: Check if you have gap insurance, which covers the difference between what you owe on the car and its actual cash value. This could potentially cover more of what you owe.
Consult a Lawyer: If you feel like you’re being treated unfairly, consulting with a lawyer who specializes in auto insurance claims might help. They can advise you on whether you have grounds to challenge the insurance company’s decision.
Explore Other Options: If the payout doesn’t fully cover your loan, see if your lender is willing to work with you on the remaining balance or if you can roll it into a new car loan.
It’s a tough spot to be in, but gathering more information and exploring all your options can hopefully lead to a better outcome.
I experienced a similar situation with Allstate. They declared my car totaled and I had no option but to accept the payout, which was lower than I had anticipated. It feels unfair, but when the damages exceed the car’s value, they typically won’t change their decision.
My car was totaled and the payout barely covered the remaining loan. Unfortunately, once the insurance company deems a car totaled, they have the final say and typically won’t consider other repair assessments. It is frustrating, but I found that getting a second opinion from another body shop usually does not change the outcome.