A dude backed into the driver’s door of my sister’s ‘95 Sebring. The estimates ranged from $1500 to $3500. Her insurance company wanted to write the car off even though it was rust free and had only 45k on it. This was in 2011. Once the insurance company’s adjuster actually looked at the car, they fixed it.
I had an insurance company try to write off my ‘89 Crown Vic for a windshield! Other than the rock in the windshield, the car was in immaculate condition.
Insurance companies are extremely happy to take your premiums, but they try every trick in the book to avoid any sort of payout on policies, ever. Then they wonder why “insurance company” is often used as a pejorative.
“A dude backed into the driver’s door of my sister’s ‘95 Sebring. The estimates ranged from $1500 to $3500. Her insurance company wanted to write the car off even though it was rust free and had only 45k on it. This was in 2011. Once the insurance company’s adjuster actually looked at the car, they fixed it.”
Some variables that can affect the estimate amount are use of OEM new parts vs. OEM used or aftermarket parts, decisions to repair or replace parts (it can be a legitimate judgement call), and differences of opinion on the cost to repair parts. And it’s not just the dollar amount of damage that determines whether to repair or total a vehicle - other things insurance companies factor into the equation are the value of the salvage (which partially offsets their loss if it’s totaled) and the cost of rental (which increases their loss if it’s repaired and rental coverage is applicable). In addition, there are certain components that, if the damage to those components are severe enough, render the vehicle unrepairable even if the dollar amount of damages don’t (i.e., it can’t be restored to its pre-loss condition).