Insight Meets Deer :'( (pg1 HEAVY w/ Images)

[UltArc]

Guys!

I hope you know there is zero chance I am getting rid of her.

My original options were:
A- Don't accept claim, do nothing.
B- Accept claim, gets repair money.
C- Accept claim, gets totaled.

There are more, but these were included in my plan. Since my insurance company does not increase my rates in any way for a no fault accident (well, the deer is at fault, but she won't be talking...) I have crossed off A.

Now, I will either have the car totaled and buy it back- providing it is a reasonable buyback, or accept the amount they give. Since the KBB is around 2k, I imagine it will be near that. The only hiccup I may have will be if they low ball it, and say they will give me 1k for it- then with a $500 deductible, and a buyback [say for example] $500, there is no point to keep it. I will pull the IMA battery (~1500 value), tires (~300), wheel skirts, and anything else I can resell while keeping the car in tact.

Or, just not complete the claim and part it out, then buy another. So it is possible I will be parting with her, or tearing her apart, but unlikely, and I don't plan to. No word yet on a quote.

[sheepdog 44]

My 01 143,000 miles, is valued at $1,900 for excise tax purposes, I paid $3,200 for it, could've got it for less. The other guys Insurance company paid $4,200 - $500 buyback= $3,700. My car suffered significantly less damage, no broken glass, no airbag, only a cosmetic gouge from the front quarter panel to the rear quarter. Perfectly drivable.

It was kind of a relief cause now i have no financial investment in the car, and no vanity in my car as an object or a statement about who i am.

They're probably going to give you a claim based on value of your car. Since repairing it and any unknown problems might exceed the value of a 14 year old car. I'd take that money and either pocket it, or buy another Insight.

Now buying back your damaged Insight i would consider a good investment if they give you a low price. You can use it as a parts base to support a new Insight which is useful, or sell it off for parts and scrap.

Try to find out how much it'd cost to make it roadworthy. IF you buy it back really cheap, and spend a minimal amount to make it roadworthy that is a plus. Since there's not much to care about how it looks, basjoos an aero front end. But that is IF it can be done in a cost effective way.

Having a cheap $500 car like mine makes the fuel savings payback instant. I don't buy comprehensive insurance on it. I can park the road rashed passenger side inches away from offending parked cars and not care about nicks. I ignore the dealership trying to upsell me car repairs.

[sheepdog 44]

Also don't accept their first offer. Tell them you need time to consider it.

[jamesqf]

Originally Posted by UltArc

The only hiccup I may have will be if they low ball it, and say they will give me 1k for it- then with a $500 deductible, and a buyback [say for example] $500, there is no point to keep it.

Why is there no point to keeping it? As long as it's still driveable, you'd just get to drive around in a strange-looking car with some sheet metal damage, getting about 70 mpg. What exactly is wrong with that? I've been doing it for years with mine :-)

[UltArc]

If they say it's only worth 1k to them, 500 is my deductible, and 500 to buy it back, that leaves me a salvaged title Insight and no money to repair it. At that point, I won't keep it, I'll part it out and get another one.

[brucey]

Is the frame tweaked at all ?

(I'll give you 500$ as is and pick it up next week.)

[UltArc]

As is?! Like I am not going to keep the brand new battery or brand new RE92s?

...

I was supposed to hear back this morning. Called at 11:15, and was supposed to hear back in a half hour to 45 minutes. Getting ready to call back.

[RedDevil]

So you may just get no money at all, just have the Insight get a salvage title for the privilege?
You should work out how much you paid for the own vehicle damage part of your insurance. If they claim your car has no more value than what you have to pay anyway, then you've been paying for something you could never benefit from.
You have every right to claim it back or even sue them for misinsuring you.

[Cobb]

I agree, keep it or part it. Maybe you can try on the insight forum and see if you can get donated parts or something?

Originally Posted by UltArc

If they say it's only worth 1k to them, 500 is my deductible, and 500 to buy it back, that leaves me a salvaged title Insight and no money to repair it. At that point, I won't keep it, I'll part it out and get another one.

[mswehx]

ya deer are the bain of the north hit 3 in one year 2 with my 97 civic hx and one with the 05 civic hybrid only claimed the hybrid on ins. I fixed mine myself. rebuilt axels,both mirrors,hood,hoodlatch,radiator support,both headlights. Hit at 67mph drove car home afterwards. Tough car 441k and counting.