My 81 300 SD was rearended on Easter by some kid in a Nissan. His insurance company says the damage is around $2400 (Bent the bumper down a little, cracked a taillight lens and bent up the rear panel above the bumper) They are now trying to tell me the car is worth $2100 because the two cars they compared it to (one 200 miles away) sold for around that. Then to add insult to injury, they give me the option of buying my car back for $250 (I get to spend $250 of my money to get the car fixed, and end up with a salvage title- I don't think so)
I told them that they obviously had no clue what similar cars are going for, especially ones with no mechanical issues, all the bells and whistles working, and no cosmetic damage. Other than sending them a list of similar cars on Autotrader.com, Craigslist etc. to compare to, does anyone have any ideas how to establish the realistic value of my car? I'm not trying ot screw anyone, (I pointed out to the adjuster that I was getting screwed by being honest, since I could have just grabbed my neck and gotten a few thou extra) I just want to be made "whole" and get my car fixed right. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated


Bob Hofferber
Vancouver WA

 

I went throught this 4 months ago. I bought a 87 190TD with 116K and in perfect condition for 2800 on ebay. WAHT A STEAL!!! 2 weeks later some crazy woman hit me going 65 in a 35 in the side with her SUV. destroyed the car. all together the insurance company gave me 2850. the worst par t is that that week i put $1000 into the car (e brake, tune up, bearings, and tires). all toghether ater the accident, i had about 4500 into the car. her insurance jipped me. 2 nights ago, i looked for this car on ebay and saw the exact same thing on ebay sell for 6K!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. wow. bummer huh. well, i say that the best way to find the value of your car would be to look on ebay, and email the insurance woman the link to about 5 auctoins of similar cars.