update/ sad day, estimate for repair Options

[oldschool]

so the insurance gal came by today, took some photos, mileage,dent,vin and all 4 corners, went to her car and came back with a printed sheet....preliminary estimate
total $5219.96

she said that they will total it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif)

parts.12.8 hrs @ 32.hr $4214.53
body labor 2.6 hrs @32.hr $409.60
paint labor 2.0 hrs @32.hr $83.20
frame labor 2.o hrs @38. $76.
paint supplies 2.6 hrs @24.hr $62.40

[Katmanken]

They are paid to save the company money. The rule of thumb is to total a car if the damage is around half the value of the car. So, the cheapest and easiest thing is to lowball the car's worth so that it becomes a total, and then their time, trouble, and payout($$$$$) are minimized. That is the cheapest way out for them. Enough people just roll over and accept the offer to make it a worthwhile trick to try. Sign nothing and accept no checks or payouts (another set of dirty tricks somebody tried on me).

So, you have to become a royal pain in the ass, learn to drop your emotions from the dealings, and be prepared to wait them out while they stall and delay. Hope you have another car to drive, that really gets their attention and things move faster.

Puff up, stand on the twerps toes, and tell him in a firm voice that it was THEIR CUSTOMER that hit you, and THEY are responsible for the repairs.

Tell them that you want your car to be just like it was, and ( say this very slowly and firmly like you are ready to kill them), NOTHNG LESS IS ACCEPTABLE. Keep repeating "NOTHNG LESS IS ACCEPTABLE" as required while they squirm.

Be ready to lawyer up. You can get your attorney to send a a nastygram letter for $150 or so that can usually solve the issue to your satisfaction.

How's your neck? Those rear end collisions can really cause some recurring pain and DR's bill$$$$$$$.... Rub your neck when talking to the estimator...