Well, I posted a thread about my "89" Vette called "another C4 gets hit" right before Christmas and have some news.

Good News:

The Police report cited the 83 year old man for an unsafe lane change and requested a DMV re-examination. The report also, stated that he was completely at fault.


Bad News:

21st Century Insurance called and told me that the car is totaled. They said parts and labor were $8400, I priced out parts from Ecklers and with labor, came to a total of $6388. Broken down: $2200 for parts, $600 to the frame shop, $1088 labor to replace front and rear bumper panels and $2500 for paint. Well within repair range.

The adjuster said they have to quote prices from the dealer. The prices I quoted from Ecklers are also original factory replacements.

So, now I'm waiting to hear from the "Totaled out" adjuster to see if I can still have the Vette repaired with my prices.

I did a Kelly Blue Book on Private Party value and found in excellent conditon my "89" is worth $8405. but, that's not including the new chrome ZO6 wheels, 1 month old Kumho's and repainted front and rear bumper facia's I did just 1 month before.

The Retail value is $10,690. I really want to keep this Vette because it's so hard to find one that's really clean with low miles for under $10,000.

before:


after:

 

Stand your ground, don't let go without a fight. Good luck, hop it works out for you!

 

Adds up in a hurry doesn't it? I talked to my adjuster about a similiar deal. They wouldn't total the car if you insisted, but would only get a % of the $8400 claim. Fight for as much as you can get. Even 75% of the claim amount of $8400 is $6500. Good luck!

 

I hate to say it but its in thier favor to total your car.
They recoup part of the payout by selling your car at a salvage auction.
If they sell you the car back with a salvage title it isn't worth keeping.

If you want it repaired find a shop will do the job for the settlement money.
Good luck.

 

If they total it, take the money, buy it back from them and repair it!

 

Often, a T/L settlement is far more than you will ever see from a private party and particularly a trade in. Assuming a value of 10K, 20% for salvage, plus your rental makes it a total. As to value, your wheels, though nice, probably don't add anything since they're not stock; ditto the exhaust and they may try to tell you that. If it were me, I'd negotiate for the most money and find another Vette as just getting the perfect paint match (again) may be impossible and it looks like you'll be spraying at least one panel so trying to blend that with the original is a tall order. When negotiating, I'd pick comparables out of Hemmings Motor News as they always seem to have the highest prices. Make sure they pay you sales tax, registration and reasonable loss of use up until the day of settlement too.

 

Good Luck.

 

My friend owns a very reputable body shop where the Vette will be repaired hopefully and since 3/4 of the body will have to be blended onto, I'm just going to repaint the entire vehicle.

I used to work there a few years ago and will probably have my friend just replace the front and rear panels and I'll spray the color, clearcoat, color sand and buff the entire vehicle.

 

The insurance company simply won't pay out just because you want them too. What you can do though is take the $$$ that they offer to replace the car and buy your car back. Then you have the remaining $$$ to do as you wish. Good luck

 

It would be a shame to see that sweet ride end up in a grave yard
Good Luck

 

 

Sorry to see your fine C4 have an unfortunate accident. Most of what the other posters said makes sense. It's never an easy decision to let go of a fine C4 like yours. Evaluate your two options:

1. Take the settlement and find another C4 or

2. Take the settlement and try and buy it back and have it repaired

Concerning number 1, you may be able to find another clean C4 (although I do not see an abundance of clean C4's where I live for low prices as may be happening elsewhere from the forum feedback) and just enjoy it from that moment on.

Concerning nmber 2, my only concern with this would be if there is a miscalculation of the damages, you may find that repairing it may be more time and expense than its worth. The insurance estimates are general figures and a Corvette specialist may want more to the job the right way versus the way an insurance company sees fit. And then there is the aggravation factor associated when deling with certain repair shops. As I get older, I find I do not want to put up with all the aggravation as I had in my younger days. Plus there may be a potential issue when selling an reconstructed titled later on. Many folks will not even cosider a reconstructed title and I even heard where some insurance carriers will not insure one.

One important point for all C4 owners to learn from this: take a look at alternative collector car insurance that guarantees your replacement value in a total loss. This type of coverage can make the decision much easier because you can get exactly what you agreed it is worth and find another one like it with this money. Conventional coverage seems to be such a hassle in your type of situation. The insurance carrier makes the call and leaves the insured party in a tough spot.

Take a few days to think it over. One good thing out of all this to remember, you did not sustain serious injuries. All of us C4 owners would probably be going through your exact feelings about whether to keep it. And no matter what you choose, best of luck. Keep us all posted.

 

I would pay to have the car appraised and give that to the insurance. Corvettes are worth more than the book value... we all know that. If that car would have appraised at 12k then that is what they would have to give you.

 

AWWW it's still good, just dust it off and buff out the scratches!

well, maybe not, but it looks like the damage is not so severe that a decent bodyshop couldn't fix her up.

Fight with those insurance fools tooth and nail. get a buddy to pretend he's a lawyer, or just threaten to kick the adjusters *** unless he sees things your way!

 

You could always take the money, keep the car and make it a daily driver with out fixing it ... then use the insurance money and put it down an another vette.

 

I'm sorry to say , but unless your planning on keeping it forever, the Salvage Title is going to be a black cloud over the car. If your going to keep it forever, and have sentimental attachment to it, buy it back, and fix it.. Other then that, take the $$ and buy another..

 

I'll have to convince the insurance company to have it fixed and a "Salvage" title is DEFINATELY out of the question. I won't settle for anything less than a $9500 pay off.

 

i have this feeling they wont pay past the extent of the damage.they give you options not you give them options sucks but thats just the wat it works. i wanted a rental car for two weeks but they wouldnt doit cause they said it was two weeks cause they were painting the whole car and they were only paying to have the replacement parts repainted so i have to fork out a weeks rental just the way it works

 

I just want my Vette back to the way it was, and since my insurance company is going to get reimbursed by the other guys insurance, I'm sure we'll be able to work something out since it was 100% the other guys fault.

 

It makes me cringe to see a nice car in that state. Hope everything works out. It's a really clean looking vette