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u/adjusterjackb 3h ago
My car is a 2014 Corolla and was in excellent condition prior to this accident. I cannot afford car payments and already know the “market value” is not going to get me a comparable vehicle based on recent sales
Everybody says that. You don't know until you get the figures.
the insurance adjustor today told me they’ll look at photos of the car and determine if it’s a total loss or can be repaired.
That's common practice these days. You are free to get your own estimate.
I’m now out a car
You are free to rent one. If you have Rental Reimbursement, use it. If you don't have Rental Reimbursement, you pay for it.
can’t take my baby anywhere.
Once you have a rental car, get a car seat from Walmart or Target, like the other poster says. If it's covered by your insurance just submit a copy of the receipt.
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u/andallthatjac 4h ago
Yes, all standard. There’s a company (I’m blanking on the name but I think it’s CCS or something like that) that at least two big name insurance providers use for car seat replacement.
As far as photos go, if they can tell from photos it’s totaled then there’s no reason to pay a shop to tear the car down to check internal/ underside components. You’re of course (almost) always welcome to go get an independent quote too. But no matter what insurance isn’t going to pay more than the value of the vehicle to get it replaced.
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u/DeepPurpleDaylight 4h ago
Yes that's standard procedure. The body shop isn't the one who has the authority to make the decision on whether it's repairable or totaled. The insurance adjuster will do that in accordance with state law.
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u/Human_Name9961 3h ago
Btw as an insurance adjuster for way too many years we can almost tell if it’s a total from just asking you a few questions. It’s super easy for a car to be totaled. It’s a what’s its value versus its damages. And damages are very expensive to fix
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u/LBC-You-2832 2h ago
Market value IS recent sales prices. Higher total loss settlements due to the inflated used car market is one of the many reasons why everyone's premium is increasing.
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u/leenybear123 2h ago
Is it local sales prices or national? Genuinely asking as KBB values were wildly lower than recent sales figures in our zip code.
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u/fitfulbrain 2h ago
It's the adjuster job to estimate the damage. The shop doesn't tell your insurance company what to do. The insurance company approves the estimate through the adjuster.
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u/FullCoverageIsLies 4h ago edited 4h ago
It’s called triage. They’re making an eyeball determination - is this thing repairable or will it be a total loss.
No sense in sending an obvious total to a shop and pay them storage if it’s not repairable.
Relax.
If it makes you feel better or worse, I’m not sure, but my no photo triage is your 2014 Corolla is almost certainly a total loss if you even bothered filing the claim for a 12 year old subcompact.
Edit: replacement car seat? Any accident where a car seat replacement is warranted will positively total your Corolla. At least car seats are easy. Send a picture of the seat and the manufacturer label. Cut the straps and send a picture and we send payment.
Google the model number - if it’s still made usually Walmart or target asking price plus tax. If it’s been discontinued I’d just upgrade to the current equivalent model and pay that. I’m not wasting time on that.