What If It Can't Be Fixed: Getting The Most Money For Your Totaled Car
If your car is totaled in an accident and you have an insurance plan that will pay you for the value of your car, you might be disappointed with the amount of money that you are able to get. This can be frustrating because you might need the money to purchase another car so that you can easily get to work and to other activities. Car insurance companies are going to have a different idea with regards to what a fair market-price of your car is. Here are some steps that you can take in order to make sure that you get the most money for your totaled car as possible.
1. Know the Value of the Car
Before you ask your insurance company for the money to cover your totaled vehicle, you want to make sure that you know what the vehicle is worth yourself. This will allow you to go into a negotiation feeling confident that you are asking for the correct price. You will want to use an online appraisal site that will allow you to determine the worth of your car, such as the Kelley Blue Book.
2. Prove Your Car Was in Excellent Condition
If your car was in excellent condition or any other level of condition that is on the higher end of the scale that your insurance company uses, you are going to want to make sure that you are able to prove it. First, gather all of your maintenance records from the past five to ten years of the vehicle. These will show that you put the money and work into your vehicle and that it was maintained to a standard that is better than average.
Next, gather your receipts for anything that you have recently bought for your car. If you have recently installed a new radio or new leather on the seats, get the receipts to show that you made these improvements.
Finally, have pictures on hand of your car that prove that its aesthetic condition was spectacular. If you won any awards for your car or received any other signs of public attention, these are very helpful.
3. Let the Insurance Company Know Where You Are Planning to Purchase Your Car
Insurance companies will sometimes work off of a general price range that used cars fall in specific areas. For exapmle, used cars are slightly cheaper in Cleveland than they are in Akron. If you live in between the two cities but are planning on purchasing your car in Akron because you found one that works perfectly for you, make sure that you tell this to the insurance company because they will sometimes be more willing to give you more money if you are shopping in an area that is slightly more expensive.
For more information, talk to an auto collision repair facility to make sure that your car is truly beyond repair.