Anybody think it won't be totaled? I was under the impression it would 99% be totaled but let me know your opinions.

 

well my friends 79 caught fire ,and he bought it back from hagerty paid $350 for it we parted it out and made about three grand off parts ,and we still have a few parts laying around ,the only thing you will be sitting on parts for years ,but I would do it again!!

 

Chandler..Sorry to hear about your '78..I know you put a bit of time and money into it this past year..
Bottom line is after negotiating a value for the 'totaled' car.and see what their idea is a fair mkt value for it.Think..about what you might use should you keep it..and est the cost to restore it(again)

Once that is done..You can appeal their valuation of the car...and appeal by showing them receipts for tires, paint, interior etc)
IF that doesn't help..you can then approach them with a lower figure to keep the car...buy it back..Bear in mind the title may show the car was totaled....(reconstructed)
When the dust settles..I'D be curious what occurred both with the wreck..and with the outcome..A friend in Oregon..Jim

 

Ill keep this thread up and I gotta thank you Jim for all your help with this corvette and it wont be forgotten trust me. I do plan on getting another C3 and probably a 78 now that I have a love for them but I dont think I will be rebuilding this one sadly.

 

Ouch. Sorry to see that mate.

 

All any of us can do is speculate, only one source has the correct answer..your insurance company. Place the call.
I get the desire to buy it back, hopefully that will work out for you.
Drag about the crash, glad you're okay.

 

Glad your okay, sorry about the car. Good luck with the insurance, they love to take your money but never want to give it back.

 

I can agree with that. State Farm insurance took my money for fifty years with an accident free record until I had my car damaged from someone else's mistakes twice and I never got paid for either incident . One incident was where the other person had State Farm and she admitted fault and they still wouldn't pay . Said because it happened out of state. Always have an excuse !

 

That's why I go with USAA and Hagerty. Never had a problem from either of them, any claims are always met with speedy service and no haggling. They really seem to care about their customers more than their bottom line.

 

Will my insurance company (GEICO) base the value off NADA/Hagerty or will they most likely try and give like 6k for it?

 

What happened in the wreck, did another driver hit you, do they have insurance or is it a 1 car accident? Glad you're ok.

 

1 car accident

 

Be sure of one thing, your insurance company will do their best to give you as little as they can get away with. Those lizard commercials are good though. So easy a caveman can do it!

 

Chandler..IF it's any help, your '78 came with the Silver Anniversary paint anf pinstriping....THERE WERE ONLY 15,283 '78 vettes sold with that option..out of 40+K cars sold that year.
Perhaps more RARE is the option M21 which was the 4 speed manual transmission, close ratio.ONLY 3,385 equipped with the 4 speed and that includes the Pace Cars, L82 engine vettes.

Not sure WHAT other options your car came with..tilt tele steering, A/C/ pwr windows, etc.BUT the options and all matching numbers of the '78 make it more valuable..and insurance should take that into consideration.
I was a bit surprised when you decided to repaint over the Silver Anniversary original paint..but it's your car.

I have insurance thru National Corvette Museum..(Adam Boca) and an agreed upon value, full coverage that is 22K..Mine is restored very well and original...parts matching...but not stellar concerning rarity.

Caveats are it is NOT OUR DAILY DRIVER and only my wife or I are drivers-covered.Also car is garaged when at home.and the tags we have here in Oregon are 'SP' plates..NO renewal so long as we own it..NO emissions testing..and limitation of 3k miles per year..
I'M also close to 70..Haven't had a ticket or anything since 1967.
I GOT all the squirrelly stuff out of my system after Vietnam and then the next 6 yrs as a policeman...A lot of time, some at high speeds and worked waay too many accidents.
Your age (and perhaps driving record)will make any quality insurance more expensive..
GOOD LUCK ON the adjustment..I do think the '78 Corvettes are great looking and good performing Corvettes..all things considered.Jim

 

Its got tilt/telescopic steering wheel, 4-speed, SAE, and with the 4-speed it comes with the gymanka suspension and it has the dual rear speakers and aluminum wheels etc.

 

Well, yor '78 had most of the best options..the one option that would enhance it's value..ONLY 3,385 equipped with the 4 speed and that includes the Pace Cars, L82 engine vettes.Jim

 

Insurance guy came to look at the car today and at no surprise to me it is totaled. In a few days I find out what they want to give me for it. I also let him know I was interested in buying the car back and he seemed like that wasn't a problem.

 

So.......... have you started shopping yet?

 

Don't think i'm in the market yet. Yesterday the snow started and it hasn't let up so this spring i'll start the search and maybe i'll even be interested in something different like a 69 C-10 or 70 Camaro Z28 or something but I see myself running right back to the corvettes haha. Maybe get myself a chrome bumper or a black on black 78 L-82 4-spd.

 

I've heard many horror stories with State Farm, but the common theme is that your deal is primarily how good your agent and adjuster is.

that said, if you have lots of recent work and parts, and have receipts for work/parts, this can boost the amount they pay out.

Unfortunately, your adjuster has already been out, but never volunteer information, especially, "I feel fine". If you disagree with their value, and you have receipts to back up yours and have records of recently similar cars in your area selling higher, you can press to have this mediated, which they won't want to do. Often they will go higher to avoid it.

Also, it is good to have a record of the value placed on the car when they assigned rates. This can be leverage that they charge for a $10,000 value vehicle so paying out $5000 is ridiculous, even though that is still their option according to the contract you signed.

Unless it was a classic car policy (better than regular insurance) or an agreed value policy, you will be at the mercy of them mostly.

A friend just had his truck totaled and I think State Farm is his insurer. They offered $5000 and he pushed back and got $7900 for it. He was happy since he paid $8000 for it 4 years ago.