Hail Damage - Insurance Co. wants to Total it out!!!

[theonlyrealperson]

I can't believe this. I just bought my car, a 1995 525i, a month ago. It's only got 88.6 thousand miles... It's my first Bimmer, and I love the car.

A week ago I was caught out in a hail storm. It didn't break any windows, but theres dents all over the hood, roof, and decklid. I was really upset - this thing is my baby - and I had just dropped about $1,500 in getting the car the way I like it.

I took it in to let the insurance adjuster look at it - and they want to toal it out. I am really pissed. I just want my damn car fixed.

My question is: Do you guys have salvage titles? Have you successfully converted it from a salvage title back to a regular title? Or, should I just cut my losses and get a new car?

I don't have the figures yet on how much they'll offer me, or how much it would cost to buy it back from them. I'm supposed to know by the end of the week.

[angrypancake]

post some pictures

[632 Regal]

they wont total it if you dont force them to fix it. Maybe you need to settle with them, they pay a portion of the body repairs or something. Some good body shops can remove most of the dents without sanding, filling or whatever. What was the estimate they gave you or did you take the can in for your own estimate?

[theonlyrealperson]

Really? If you don't force them to fix it they won't total it? Hmmm... that's an option.

They haven't gotten me an estimate yet. I tried to get an estimate from the two BMW dealerships in the area before I took it in (for ammo, if I needed it) but both refused. They said that they don't give out estimates for hail damage, they work it out with the insurance company. I didn't have time to try an independent place.

I'll try to post pics tomorrow morning... I'm in class now...

[Robin-535im]

I'm in class now...

See - when you graduate and get a job... you can do this from work instead!!

Ins Co has a $ value in mind for your car (close to blue book) and will authorize repairs up to ~80% of that value. If it costs more to fix, they give you the "blue book" value, take the car, and auction it / scrap it to recapture the 20% difference.

If you want to keep the car, do not let them total it, as then it will have a salvage title which makes it hard to re-insure and harder to sell.

You can accept the ~80% value of the car as cash and keep the car, and probably find a bodyshop to cut you a cash deal that is MUCH cheaper than what they quote the insurance companies. Ask who the dealer takes their cars to / ask indy mechanics who specialize in BMW's who the best local BMW guy is for bodywork. Chances are good there's somewhere local known for doing a good job on BMW's. Tell him the story and see what he would charge to fix it for cash... I bet you can be fixed up for a few grand.

- Robin

[Evan]

How much are they willing to give you for the car? Let us know and then decide what you can do...

[Qube]

Exactly. What are they basing the car value on?

I'd say your car is worth about $5000 assuming it's all good after you fixed it up. So, they're claiming $4000 worth of damages? That must be some freaking hail! Hello paintless dent guy!

[saconnect]

it's worth fighting for. Take your time and don't be in a hurry. Insurance company's want you settle fast.

Same exact thing happened to my 90 miata about three years ago. The book was about three thousand dollars then, and hail damaged the rear plastic window, hood, trunk and all four fenders. They wanted to total it for $3,000, but it was highly customized for auto-crossing and I did not want to loose all the customization...they don't pay for that unless you pay extra to insure it. Since the car was still operable, I was able to convince them to settle with me and not total it out. Remember you have to give them the title in order for them to sell it back to you.

I settled with them for around $2,100 something I found a guy that completely disassembled the car body to repaint every part, even taking care of some rusty wheel wells and pinstrping in a little over two weeks. He charged me $1,600 cash. He wanted to charge me $800 more to replace the top, so I had to replace the top myself which cost a whopping $275 and about six hours on a Saturday, and it looks fantastic!

Point is, Try not to let them salvage the car. Work it out with them. Don't be in a hurry either especially if the car's still drivable. If it's still perfectly drivable, then there is really no reason for them to send it to salvage. So what if you drive it around with dents for a while, it's still an e34, and dents in the hood do no affect the drive!

Look around for a good body person that's not BMW...you may be surprised what you find. You won't get the whole value of the car, but you should get enough to get it repaired better than it was before....heck, it's 12 years old, and could probibly use a good paint going over anyway.

It makes me sad to hear this. Good Luck

[632 Regal]

when they totalled my 4x4 I bought it back from them. they did not take my title and I fixed the truck. No cops involved just insurance BS, I couldnt stand the inflated charges and changed to AAA for a year. AAA didnt see any insurance claims because there was no police involvement. Insurance was cut in half with the truck on full coverage again....then AAA jacked the F_ck out of their rates and had to switch again and now its 1/2 of what AAA charged.

it's worth fighting for. Take your time and don't be in a hurry. Insurance company's want you settle fast.

Same exact thing happened to my 90 miata about three years ago. The book was about three thousand dollars then, and hail damaged the rear plastic window, hood, trunk and all four fenders. They wanted to total it for $3,000, but it was highly customized for auto-crossing and I did not want to loose all the customization...they don't pay for that unless you pay extra to insure it. Since the car was still operable, I was able to convince them to settle with me and not total it out. Remember you have to give them the title in order for them to sell it back to you.

I settled with them for around $2,100 something I found a guy that completely disassembled the car body to repaint every part, even taking care of some rusty wheel wells and pinstrping in a little over two weeks. He charged me $1,600 cash. He wanted to charge me $800 more to replace the top, so I had to replace the top myself which cost a whopping $275 and about six hours on a Saturday, and it looks fantastic!

Point is, Try not to let them salvage the car. Work it out with them. Don't be in a hurry either especially if the car's still drivable. If it's still perfectly drivable, then there is really no reason for them to send it to salvage. So what if you drive it around with dents for a while, it's still an e34, and dents in the hood do no affect the drive!

Look around for a good body person that's not BMW...you may be surprised what you find. You won't get the whole value of the car, but you should get enough to get it repaired better than it was before....heck, it's 12 years old, and could probibly use a good paint going over anyway.

It makes me sad to hear this. Good Luck

[ricola]

Were you in Southern MN? I just wrote $ 8200.00 on a 05 Caravan. It's about 95% (of 80%) now. The hail damage was not like your used to seeing. There were baseball size hits that even bent the roof rack. No small nickle or dime size hits anywhere.

I had a converation with another rep that was down in Northfield MN. He was totaling anything with glass damage. Sometimes it's easier for the insurance company to total cars out when there is the huge volume of claims. Customers get new cars without the hassle of being without their cars while repairs are being completed, there are no calls from shops wanting more money. This involves a rep having to take time to validate the request. And there are no rental car payments made.

To most people cars are for getting around. There is very little passion for the driving experience. So to most the offer to total is the best solution.

As others stated, take your time, evaluatate the offer, and do your homework. Be prepared to counter. Tell the rep that this is not just car to you. Ask him to keep an open mind.

Oh, BTW: Most of the reps I know don't even know what a Bugeye is. They are not car guys. Sometimes they just need to take a breath if their company will let them.