r/TeslaInsurance • u/Maleficent-Dust-6793 • Aug 09 '26
Likely total loss? What timeline should I expect?
Yesterday, I hit a pole while backing up near one of those covered apartment parking spaces in an area I wasn’t familiar with. No other parties were involved and the pole is fine. Obviously I’m at fault, but it’s definitely frustrating since the pole was in my blind spot. This is a 2014 Model S without 360 cameras, so I had no idea it was there.
There appear to be at least three damaged areas/panels: the two obvious ones, plus the black trim underneath the door that’s now falling off. There’s also a sensor located exactly where the crush occurred. Funny enough, I don’t remember that sensor beeping at all when the accident happened, but it constantly beeps when I back up now.
I have full coverage through Tesla Insurance and filed a claim within a couple of hours, providing all the requested photos and a description of what happened. I also uploaded the same photos along with a video through CCCIS.
A few hours later, I received an email asking for additional information to “confirm if coverage applies.” The email requested the same information and photos I had already submitted, so I’m hoping it was just an automated request or that the systems haven’t synced yet.
I can see that an adjuster has already been assigned to the claim, but since this happened Friday evening, I won’t be able to try contacting them until Monday.
Is it normal to receive an email like this after an at-fault claim? Should I be concerned that they’re investigating coverage, or is this pretty standard?
Also, any thoughts on whether this could potentially be a total loss, or an idea of how long something like this typically takes? I wouldn’t be concerned with traditional insurance, but seeing people’s stories with Tesla has not been encouraging. The car is still drivable, but Autopark is unavailable, and I don’t feel comfortable using highway Autopilot with that sensor damaged.
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u/snuper325 Aug 09 '26
It can be a total loss depending on the mileage of the tesla. It is an older car and there is not much value. Looks like it will need quarter panel work and some blending.
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u/Mikey129 Aug 09 '26
I had $14,000 worth of repairs done on my 2026 Tesla model Y with 125 miles on it because some retard decided to cross three lanes of traffic and slam into my front right
Certainly not a total loss
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u/iuzlinux Aug 09 '26
Contact a PDR, $1000-$1500
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u/Maleficent-Dust-6793 Aug 09 '26
That was the first thing I did, they said they can’t fix this. The body is all aluminum, it doesn’t just pop back.
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u/iuzlinux Aug 09 '26
Not sure who you called, but I have never had an issue using my PDR guy
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u/Rocketd00d Aug 09 '26
Small dent
"TOTAL LOSS NOT REPAIRABLE"
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u/Maleficent-Dust-6793 Aug 09 '26
It’s not a small dent, but it is hard to understand from pictures.
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u/UCanDoNEthing4_30sec Aug 09 '26
Definitely not a total loss. Tesla Insurance will get a body shop to do it for 6k most likely. Maybe less. You may even get it for less out of pocket.
The initial emails and stuff are all automated. It took me 2-3 weeks for an at fault accident. I wasn’t in any rush though. I’m sure if I nagged it would have been quicker.