Sorry for the long post but appreciate any thoughts/advice.

Rear ended while sitting in a drive-thru. Yea, that’s my luck. Their Insurance has claimed it a total loss due to repairs exceeding their perceived value. Estimate included.

‘04 with only 84k, no mechanical issues, no prior accidents (reported or not), hood and roof were repainted to fix the typical paint problem. Located in KY.

Offer: $5.6K totaled, $4.2k if I buyback under salvage.

1. How do we feel about their comp? The CCC valuation used mostly sedans with mileage 30-50k more. I’ve found several coupes ranging in the $7,999-11k range. Can I get the offer increased?

2. Obviously I should opt for the buy back, correct? Only other consideration would be to drop claim and just fix it on my dime as time/money allows. I know I won’t find a used car in this condition/peace of mind on reliability nor do I want a new car payment.

3. Salvage/Rebuilt process. I’ve attached the KY regulations on inspection. Seems like I already fit everything as is. Everything works as normal aside from my bumper dent. Any chance of bypassing straight from salvage to rebuilt? Or possibly just a slap a new bumper on and you’re good.
Appreciate advice or where to locate parts.

 

Why don't you visit a normal body shop and have them write you an estimate. Then take that estimate to the other guys insurance and skip yours because the way i see it, their insurance wants to cash you out and wipe their hands.. I see less than a grand in parts, paint and labor for this fix. Coupe rear bumpers are hard to find but if you do find one then the most expensive part is paint and you can swap it yourself. Bumper reinforcement beam can be bent, it's hidden behind the bumper cover.

I'm blown away how KY adjustors overwrite bunch of crap like frame work labor of 2 hours.. Body and Paint 12 hours of labor!!! WOW
I would try to negotiate a deal with the driver through my insurance to avoid the salvage title.
OR just fix it yourself, then file a claim against the driver in civil court. IF the judge asks why, then you'll say "because his insurance company wanted to salvage my car for damages of less than $1,000".
OR, bite the bullet and fix it out of your own pocket and avoid ALL issues.. (last resort)

 

I’m currently going through their insurance. However, we are both insured by the same company.

I’ve sent them higher comparable and told them for $7k after the salvage buyback we can resolve this. I plan on driving it into the ground so the rebuilt title isn’t overly important. Worst case I can sell it to a junkyard after I’m done with it.

I’ve found a white bumper at a salvage yard and plan on replacing the reinforcement, license plate bracket etc. Figure I can get all of that for $500. Then find a frame shop to fix what’s caused a slight gap on the trunk. Hopefully with that and paint to be at around $2k. Come out with $5k on my end.

 

After telling them last night I’d take $7k and my car, suddenly less than 12 hrs later they’ve come back with a new value of $7.6K to release, or $6.3k to keep.

Thinking of countering at $6.5k and calling it a day. Bought it for $15k in ‘13.

 

Hey, if the coupe drives good and looks great (we haven't seen any photos), then take the cash and keep it. Drive it as it and use that money for credit cards or a nice vacation..

 

I would definitely try to keep the car and fix it. It’s always hard to assess something with pictures, but it definitely looks fixable. If I was in the same situation that’s what I would do, especially since it looks like you’ll walk away with money after the deal is done and the car is fixed.

 

Definitely keep the car and fix it. You can fix it for under $3k if you do some work to find and transport all the parts yourself and have a real conversation with a local body shop while supplying parts.