How to get insurance to "TOTAL" my car?
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 588
Likes: 12
From: Phoenix AZ
2025 BMW I4, 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, 2008 ML550
How to get insurance to "TOTAL" my car?
I have a 2008 BMW 335i with 60k miles. Minty fresh condition. Or at least it was...
I got into a wreck (not my fault) and the initial quote is $8,000 in damage. Ouch.
Wholesale auction value is about $15k
KBB retail is about $20k.
So the damage is about 1/3-1/2 the value of the car.
Truth be told, I'd like insurance to just "total" the car as I'm afraid it won't be the same once I get it back.
And to be 100% honest, I have "better car replacement" so I'd be entitled to a nice reimbursement.
What can I do to get insurance to declare my car a total loss? Financially, it seems like the best bet for me and actually may allow me to turn this ****ty situation into one where I come out on top.
What's my argument? What are my rights?
I got into a wreck (not my fault) and the initial quote is $8,000 in damage. Ouch.
Wholesale auction value is about $15k
KBB retail is about $20k.
So the damage is about 1/3-1/2 the value of the car.
Truth be told, I'd like insurance to just "total" the car as I'm afraid it won't be the same once I get it back.
And to be 100% honest, I have "better car replacement" so I'd be entitled to a nice reimbursement.
What can I do to get insurance to declare my car a total loss? Financially, it seems like the best bet for me and actually may allow me to turn this ****ty situation into one where I come out on top.
What's my argument? What are my rights?
Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 108
Likes: 1
2001 E55 AMG
It usually takes about 3/4 of the value of the car to be considered totaled. There is not much you can do. With the technology of collision repair better than ever before, cars can be fixed 100% these days.
