What to do???????? Is it totaled????

[65bug]

Hey guys,
      What a day yesterday! I make a Fedex run and decide to go in the bug. Coming back, I am sitting at a red light. All of the sudden I am slammed from behind and shoved out into the intersection.
       After the electrical shock I felt travel up my spine, I sat there for a minute and then flung my door open and got out.
      Thank God I was not broad sided from the traffic coming the other way in the intersection.
      A guy in a SUV just plowed into the back of me. He said his foot slipped off the brake and hit the gas.
      Thankfully, I just raised the insurance on the car two months ago to 15000.00
      I went to the doctors last night for x rays on my back, then the chiropractor to check me out as well.
      They both told me just to wait, because many symptoms/injuries show up later on down the road.
      The SUV went over my rear bumper and directly into the alternator/fan shroud. Basically tearing the whole top of my 9000.00 motor off and shoving it through the firewall.
      Here are a few pics

[65bug]

Here's the firewall from the rear winddow. It actually pushed the fan shroud through the firewall!

[65bug]

I do not have the time to work on this motor. S0, I am going to have to take it to someone I trust to tear it down completely and go through it, check everything and reassemble in the Southern California area.
   So far, Gene Berg comes to mind. However, if they will not do it what other options do I have?
    If they total the car, fine by me I suppose................

[Glenn]

GBE does not do engine work, but maybe Gary or Clyde might.

In So Cal there are many places that can fix your engine. But you need to know the condition of the car first.

[65bug]

Hi Glenn,
    Thanks! The motor will have to be tore down to check out everything. With a impact like that, I would imagine it could have bent the crankshaft and or damaged the case or who knows what else!
     The adjuster is coming in a few days to look it over. I guess I will see what he says.
Thanks.....................PS Pretty bummed here! 9000.00 motor and oodles of hours of work!

[Alan Harland]

Hope that it totals out. Get a fat insurance check, then buy it back from insurance for pennys on the dollar and fix it.

[bowen71]

I hope you have all the paperwork for your stuff.

Insurance guys are not going to believe you that you have 9k in the engine.  I got mine appraised and he told me it wasnt worth what I have in the engine. Until I gave him all the paperwork.  Now its worth it.

Food for thought.

[65bug]

Thanks guys,
     Yes, I have all the Berg, Cb, Rimco, and other various receipts for the motor.

[skeeter!]

From the pics, it looks like the top end stuff got hit, doesn't look like the case or any internals got damaged, but it's still worth opening up the motor to work on it. I'm in So Cal too, and I know quite a few folks out here... as for the actual body work, doesn't look too bad...

[Timbo]

A friend bought a 65 years ago that was hit the same way. Broke gen stand, broke dist.,broke fuel pump, bent shroud and oil cooler. Check the trans because his had a tooth broke on the ring gear but didnt know untill we got it back together and drove it down the road.
Tim

[gkeeton@zbzoom.net]

Hope that it totals out. Get a fat insurance check, then buy it back from insurance for pennys on the dollar and fix it.

Be very careful about this, and check your local laws before agreeing to total it. In Pennsylvania, the last car I had that was totaled, I was able to buy back directly from the insurance company for 10% of the value of the totaled car. In my case, my Acura Integra was valued at $4400, so I bought it back for $440. In Ohio, a totaled vehicle is surrendered to a local salvage company that works with the insurance agency. A friend in Ohio had a hot rod Honda Civic that was totaled, and valued at $8000. Once the car was totaled it was then surrendered to a local salvage yard. My buddy had the opportunity to "buy it back" from the salvage yard, but since they estimated they could sell the remaining parts for $4300, thats what he would of had to pay to buy it from the salvage yard. If you raised the insurance value to $15,000, your incident may not total the car. I know of someone that had a convertible valued at $18,000, and was repaired TWICE, with out any issues from the insurance company. Then there have been horror stories were the insurance company has been a nightmare to deal with not agreeing to payout the valued amount. Do some research and get written information about insurance processes before you agree/sign anything.

[Ohio Tom (DdK)]

I insure my turbo sedan at "stated value" I pay extra for it, but it's worth it if she gets hit...

[65bug]

Thank you everyone for the help. I got a call just a while ago from the other parties insurance. I told him it felt like I got shocked in my spine when the guy hit me.
   He told me that they would pay for 4 doctors visits and 250 for pain and suffering. I told him it was too early for me to make a decision.
   I know I have a pinched nerve in my neck between my shoulder blades. Sometimes today when I turned my head, I got a sharp pain and pop in my neck.
    I have a doctors appointment tomorrow to get checked up. I know sometimes injuries turn up months later.
    I explained to him about the special motor, and it cannot just go anywhere. It has to go to a high performance shop.
    He said ok, and I told him I have all the receipts. He said he thinks they will probably just total the car for my insured value. They are sending out a adjuster in a few days to look at the car.
     So, if they want to be nice, pay me the money and let me keep the car thats fine. If my back and neck are not damaged then I will settle.
      Does that sound fair? This is a touchy situation I know. Its been a long time and I just do not want to make a mistake I am going to regret!

[David Ward]

The other guy's insurance adjuster isn't on your side.  Work with your insurance carrier and refer the other guy's adjuster to your guy.  Don't settle until your personal physician get's you squared away with a firm diagnosis and treatment plan.

Might not be a bad idea to consult an attorney.  While there are lots of ambulance chasers, your "electric shock" feeling may be something to think about, and a credible attorney might be able to offer advice in how your choose to settle the claim(s).

Also, keep in mind insurance companies and lawyers are quick to look on the net for information related to you and your case.  Be very careful what you state and report on here, or anywhere on the net (facebook, twitter, etc.).  Its all public and admissable.


Very sorry to hear about the accident.  The dude was probably on his cell phone.   

[65bug]

David,
   Thank you for the help. Yes, as a matter of fact I think he was texting. I also have a witness that was right net to me at the light. He gave me all his information too.
   The police officers where helpful as well. Yea, I may call a attorney tomorrow.
   It shook me up pretty good. At 44, you good jolt like that can tear you up when you do not know it's coming.
    I am wanting my car fixed but will have to wait and see what happens............
   

[Bruce Tweddle]

, as a matter of fact I think he was texting.

Usually when you're hit at a red light, you don't really need any witnesses, it's always the other guy's fault.
If the scenario was different, it's wise to note the exact time of the accident if you can remember.  Then if a cop shows up, ask the cop to check the other guy's phone log to see if he was texting or babbling at that moment.  That is way more powerful in any legal dispute than a witness.

[Dougy Dee]

How do you feel today? Probably a lot worse than yesterday as the physical shock to your body has started to wear off.
Watch the head and neck movement. You may have whiplash.
An accident I had when 18, that popped my spine between the shoulder blades, still is aggravated, by certain movements, at 56. I settled early. Big mistake. Talk to your lawyer.

[fifty-five]

That sucks for sure! The pics don't look that bad, but its what you can't see in them that could change the ball game. The engine doesn't look like it took that bad of a hit. It looks like most of it went to the alternator. A teardown to see would definitely be a good idea. How do the rear quarters look on your car?


I backed a 73 super beater into a tree at about 45 when I was 16. It was a hard enough lick to knock to speedo out of the dash. It popped a v/c off, but that engine came out and went into another car I had and ran for a long time after that, well till some idiot forgot to check the oil....lol

[Brandon Sinclair]

You were injured and they are trying to settle the Bodily Injury portion of the claim.  There is no way you should sign anything and settle at this point since you do not know what the extent of your injuries are.  In addition, since you were injured you need to call your insurance company and file a claim as well.  If you carry Medical Pay coverage under your policy then that may be used for your injuries.  You were rear ended so you are not at fault.  You can also work with your insurance company to repair your vehicle if you do not like dealing with the other party's insurance company and then they will subrogate with the other carrier to recoup their losses.

[JVance]

  He told me that they would pay for 4 doctors visits and 250 for pain and suffering. I told him it was too early for me to make a decision.
  

Just an FYI (if you're not already aware), they are on the hook for all of your medical expenses related to the accident up to the limit in coverage on his policy. I've never had an insurance adjuster tell me the limits of what they'd cover (or offer any amount of pain and suffering) up front, over the phone. That should raise some red-flags.

Are you dealing with a fly-by-night insurance company, or one of the major companies?

[65bug]

His insurance is Allstate. Supposed to be one of if not THE BEST. I called my insurance company this morning. They took the adjusters name and phone number. As well as their case number.
  Basically, I can handle it anyway I would like she told me. I can accept any of their offers. However, its going to be a while before I accept any of the medical offers.
   I actually feel a bit better today, but I have a headache. Not sure if it's weather related or not.
   This I suppose is where time will tell. Adjusters will come out in the next day or two.
   I suppose I should take the better of the two offers from them for the car. I had medial coverage with my insurance too. They told me to just give the policy number to the doctor.
   There may be more damage with the car. I noticed this morning the rear fenders are creased above the tail lights!
    I have a feeling they are going to total it..........

[65bug]

Thanks you everyone for the excellent advice. First major rear ender for me. Man, I drove this morning and looking in the rear view mirror when stopped is almost automatic now.
    I used to give a glance every now and then before. I guess a little gun shy now..........

[1836vw]

65bug i'am so sorry about your car.  I would check the frame horns from front to rear.  You need them to get you a rental car while they fix your car.   Don't give the rental car back until your car is fixed.  Allstate is a joke.

[David Ward]

  Allstate is a joke.

Most people are fortunate to never have to deal with property casualty insurers.  They are aggressive, and pursue every option.  At the end of the day, they look for every angle to recover every dollar they have to pay out.  In other words, whatever costs Allstate pays out due to this accident will aggressively be pursued.  This may include the dude's homeowner's policy or umbrella policy if he has one.

[deano]

Often, in order to get a pay-off and then buy your car back as is, you have to turn in the title, which then changes the car to a salvage title staus. Not a good thing. Also, a bad rear-ender like that can break a crank as well. I agree on the gearbox, you could easily have done some internal damage as well. What a sad deal...

[Ian M]

Wow,that sucks!  

One potential saving grace (for the engine and trans at least) with a SUV hitting you is that the bumper is high enough for the body of the car and the less rigid fan shoud,oil cooler,alternator stand, and tin to take the brunt of the accident.

I got rear ended hard like that at a stoplight probably 15 years ago,by a Chevy 4X4 pulling a horsetrailer. It caught up high like that,shoving the fanshroud into the firewall, even punched the alternator nut through the decklid. Obviously,the engine stopped on impact.

I pulled the tin off,and the case didn't appear cracked so I put a new alt. stand,distributor cap, and oil cooler on,and fired it up. Fortunatly,it was ok. The engine is still running today in a friends car.

Cross your fingers!

[fiatdude]

The other guy's insurance adjuster isn't on your side.  Work with your insurance carrier and refer the other guy's adjuster to your guy.  Don't settle until your personal physician get's you squared away with a firm diagnosis and treatment plan.

Might not be a bad idea to consult an attorney.  While there are lots of ambulance chasers, your "electric shock" feeling may be something to think about, and a credible attorney might be able to offer advice in how your choose to settle the claim(s).

Also, keep in mind insurance companies and lawyers are quick to look on the net for information related to you and your case.  Be very careful what you state and report on here, or anywhere on the net (facebook, twitter, etc.).  Its all public and admissable.


Very sorry to hear about the accident.  The dude was probably on his cell phone.   

what he said x 100000000000000000

[1836vw]

Get the rental car so they can fix your car fast.

[65bug]

Car totaled by his insurance company! over 10,000.00 in receipts he took pictures of.

[Bruce Tweddle]

How much are they offering? 

[1836vw]

What is Blue Book on a 65 VW?

[65bug]

Hi Bruce,
     I have the car insured for 13000.00 through my insurance company. His insurance company declared it totaled. My insurance is coming out next week to look at the car. His insurance company guy was very nice and was very fair to me. No complaints.
      However, what they are willing to pay my insurance company is a different story and between the two of them. From what I gathered, They will pay my insurance company what they feel it is worth. Then, they will go to arbitration for the difference. If my insurance company offers me a fair price and lets me keep the car I may go for it.
   Anything below 12000.00 and they can come get it.......

[gkeeton@zbzoom.net]

Well if you had it insured for $13,000, and it is considered totaled, then you should get $13,000. Like I mentioned about the buy back, in PA you would be able to buy back the vehicle for $1,300, leaving you $11,700 to repair the car. Like deano mentioned, you usually surrender the title upon being totaled, then the insurace company issues a salvage certificate/title for the vehicle. Then after the vehicle is repaired, or reconstructed, a new title is issued once the vehicle is inspected, and deemed repaired/roadworthy. This new title is considered a reconstructed, or "R title". I don't agree with deano that this is a bad thing, it mearly shows that the vehicle has been in an accident, and has been repaired. If you're wanting to buy a car that's a couple years old with a R-title, then I may not consider it good, but I know plenty of shops that sell a lot of properly repaired R-title cars. A R-title may hurt your resale value down the road if you ever go to sell the car, but 98% of the people I know that have bought classic VW's could care less if it has a R title. Most are happy it has a title at all.

Like everyone has mentioned, read the fine print, and go over everything multiple times before you consider "signing" anything.

[65bug]

keeton,
        Thanks for the help. Had it insured for 15,000.00. However, the deductable will be taken out of that when I get my check.
       I also found out that I can ask for a non- salvage title and get one if I plan to fix the car.
       So, I need to look into this as well. Alot of time wasted on my end because the other guy can't pay attention.........

[gkeeton@zbzoom.net]

That's cool about the non-salvage title. I wouldn't consider all of your extra effort a waste of time, I would consider it "consumer research" to "cover your ass".