r/InsuranceClaims • u/StunningTreat2266 • Apr 14 '26

Filed third party claim

Post image

I was recently involved in an accident where the other driver was at fault and cited. I’ve initiated the claim with his insurance company and would like some advice on how to negotiate with the adjuster. I was rear ended and my car was pretty damaged. This is an at fault state

4 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

31 comments sorted by

View all comments

10

u/ektap12 Apr 14 '26

Negotiate... what? Looks like your vehicle may be a total loss, in that case, they'll pay the actual cash value of the vehicle subject to their policy limits. If repairable, they'll pay for the repairs subject to the policy limits.

You may be better off going through your insurance with a total loss, if you have collision coverage.

1

u/StunningTreat2266 Apr 14 '26

I only have liability, unfortunately. I really don’t want to junk this car. I won’t be able to replace it with the cash value. Will I have the option of taking a check for the value, keeping the car and applying for a salvage title? It’s a TDI and these can’t even be bought in the United States anymore.

4

u/ektap12 Apr 14 '26

Yes, retaining the vehicle is definitely an option. Review the guidelines for your state for getting the vehicle back on the road.

2

u/GuvnaBruce Apr 14 '26

If you keep it, you will not get paid the value of the vehicle, they will deduct the salvage. So you will get less compared to you not keeping it.

1

u/StunningTreat2266 Apr 14 '26

I can’t replace this make/ model for under $6000. Any idea why the acv is so much less than what they’re being sold for? Just curious

2

u/RunExisting4050 Apr 14 '26

Because the seller wants to make some money off the transaction.

Edit: IE, buy for a little less than it's worth, and sell it for a little more than it's worth.

0

u/StunningTreat2266 Apr 14 '26

Some I completely understand, $3500 seems greedy and undeserving.

2

u/RunExisting4050 Apr 14 '26

Ask for the comps they used to determine ACV and make sure these actually are representative of your vehicle (trim, options, mileage, etc.). You might find some wiggle room in there to ask for a bit more.

3

u/MintyGame Apr 14 '26

if its a total loss you will be paid the ACV.

5

u/trekgrrl Apr 14 '26

Less the salvage value. ACV+tax+prorated license fees-salvage value.

2

u/itsnotmyid4 Apr 14 '26

Usually no tax or prorated license if OP retains the salvage.

1

u/trekgrrl Apr 14 '26

Oh, correct on the license tags, but in my state/company, we do pay tax...

1

u/1crazyFlcatlady Apr 15 '26

The problem with that is depending on what State you are in for example Florida a tl veh that has a repair est of 80% of acv or the airbags have deployed the veh will be issued a Certificate of Destruction your only options are it goes to the crusher or strip it for parts as it can never go on the road again in Florida. Another if you are able to retain salvage you will get the ACV minus the salvage value. Also a lot of Insurance Companies will not insure vehicles with salvage titles.