007T-L-S

Hey Guys,

So Saturday night I was driving home and a deer jumped out in front of me. In an attempt to save the dear and my car, I swerved and hit the curb pretty hard. After the impact, my driver side curtain airbags and the driver seat airbag deployed. In addition, my rear tire punctured and my front wheel looks bent and the alignment seems way off.

I talked to the insurance adjuster earlier today and she was saying that she thinks my car will most likely be totaled due to the age of the vehicle. Of course she couldn't say for sure since my car hasn't been looked at yet.

In the event that it is totaled, how much do you guys think I can get for my 2007 TL Type S? Thoughts?

I bought the TL brand new back in 2007 and love the car! I would really hate for it to be totaled.

dezymond

My 2008 TL Tech with 84k mi got me a bit more than $16.5k.

It really depends on your region. You could KBB it, and then compare it with several vehicles of the same mileage and condition.

Around here I was expecting like $13k at most, so I was pleasantly surprised and it made the loss a bit less painful

MonkeyTrucker

You had a new 2007 TL-S at 18 years old? Nice. Sorry about your loss.

May not be a total loss though, I'd say repairable, pics?

TacoBello

You're not giving us much here.

What's the:
Mileage?
Exterior condition?
Interior condition?
Transmission? Manual or auto?

Did you have the a-spec kit?

Any history of accidents?

Any modifications?

Any pics?

thoiboi

insurance adjuster knows best. They'll be able to make the final determination. An online forum won't be able to tell you whether or not YOUR insurance will total your car.



But to make you feel better I'll just say it may not be?

mtiaz

When airbags go off, insurance usually totals the vehicle

007T-L-S

Left rear wheel





Front left tire





Driver curtain airbags












The car was in pretty good shape. Mileage is on the high end at 127K. And there were no major mechanical problems. Personally I don't think the damage looks too bad... At least to the naked eye. But with the age of the vehicle the chances of getting totaled seem high.

thoiboi

not the age. Hell not even the mileage at this point.. It's due in most part to the airbags being deployed.

007T-L-S

It has never been in an accident before this. Has no mods besides interior LED lights. And an Auto transmission. They are going to tow my car later today and have it looked at. From there they will decide if they total or not. Fingers crossed!

mtiaz

The damage itself isn't bad at all but the huge factor that plays in this is the fact that the airbags went off. Thoiboi is right about the age & mileage of the vehicle too.

With a TL-S 5AT with 127k, I'd say roughly $11k-$13k is the KBB so I assume that's what you can expect from the insurance company

Sucks that this happened though, hopefully the insurance process goes well

08KBP_VA

It all comes down to numbers and safety...if your vehicle cost to repair exceeds the threshold for total loss in your state then it will be totalled. In the state of VA its 75% or > for a total loss and >90% it becomes a parts only car. Research those numbers so you are prepared. The adjuster determines your ACV by your mileage, condition, options etc on the car.

If there is no structural damage, body work or frame damage then you might be ok. So using my 75% example if your car is worth $13k and they determine your costs exceed $9700 then it will be totalled. That doesnt "look" like $9700 but depends on your adjuster.

Oh Sickest TL

iTrader: (3)

totaled

quanaman

iTrader: (4)

Usually to total the car, repairing it should be 75% of the value of the car or more.


That being said, rough estimate of kbb value would be like 11k. Replacing the airbag, headliner, possibly the seat, one wheel & tire, and alignment shouldn't be 75% of that. But if there's additional suspension damage and stuff then that's another story.



Edit: 08KBP_VA beat me to it

TacoBello

I don't think it's a write off. It might be close to one, but I don't think it is.

If the insurance company deems the car is worth 12k, it would need 9k in damages to be considered one (based on the 75% principle). That doesn't look like a 9k repair. Maybe 5-6k.

mtiaz

Doesn't airbag deployment destroy the resale value of a car though? If that's the case I would hope the insurance company cut a cheque for the car

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

Ouch.........

























.....that is all.

truonghthe

yeah after airbag deployment the value of the car decrease considerably, Unless you have picture like OP showing minimal damage but airbag went off then the chances of resell the car is better. I normally would steer clear car that has airbag deployment history as a buyer unless I can see pic of damage before the repair.

007T-L-S

So my car is totaled and they're only giving me like $9,000. Which I am not happy about at all. Have any of you ever been able to get the insurance company to reconsider the payout amount? If so, how were you able to achieve that?

MonkeyTrucker

Title in hand? If so, go get three high-end estimates.

I've never settled without my own estimates.

Obviously they're low-balling you...may not be much you can if a lien is on the car.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

good advice

007T-L-S

Great idea! Car has been paid off for a few years now and I have the title in hand.

08KBP_VA

So with the air bag deployment they are saying damages are over $7000 for that with no body work per se? Sorry I dont see it.

To answer your question yes I have successfully negotiated the value up PLUS they should also be including sales tax in there too, verify that. Also check your policy as they are also likely using a 3rd party to provide them the value based on comps THEY identify in a radius of xxmiles from your residence. Took me a lot to prove my numbers but they did adjust value to a very fair number IMHO. Problem I had was finding comps. In the post above Im unclear what folks are suggesting getting estimates on but start rounding up values through all means possible. I used Carmax its pricing helped me a lot since they are a reputable dealer and established vs some small independants.

Good luck

MonkeyTrucker

When you go to talk to body shops, tell them how much you like the car and would like to get it repaired to original condition using oem parts. Tell them your comprehensive will be covering it. Butter them up.

You need to let them think they'll be getting the repair job, hence the resulting high-estimate. Then ease out of there and let them know you'll be in touch. The estimates are free. By time you get to the third estimate, you'll have gotten better at your presentation. If need be, go to a fourth or fifth if you bumbled your first or second attempt.

Be warned, if you go in there letting them know you're there just for an estimate, there not going to be as thorough, and you'll likely see estimates close to what you've already seen by the adjuster.

Play the game and be suave.

007T-L-S

I am waiting for the adjuster to send me the detailed appraisal. Should get it tomorrow hopefully. You're right 08KBP_VA, I agree with you. That's why I need to get it checked out at some other places as well. Thanks for the feedback guys, this is very good information. Keep it coming haha

csmeance

$500 - New tires and Rims
$300 - Leather seat back & headliner trim
$1000-$2000 - Airbags + restraints that detonated
$1000-$2000 - Suspension Damage
$300-400 Rental

You can buy the car back from the insurance company, get used parts from junk yards/salvage yards/auto recycling/ebay and fix it yourself.

Here are the values from Black Book:

96SC4

if you like it so much...buy it back?
get a new seat. rip out curtain air bags. get new wheels/suspension parts...

if you go this route though, you'd have to drive it into the ground. It will have a salvaged title and be pretty much worthless to anybody, but you.

good luck

ReKLeS

Just putting my 2 cents in. I had a similar incident where i hit a curb and my rear passenger tire popped and the rim cracked, the front passenger tire had a small chunk missing and the rim was badly scratched. The driver side curtain airbags and driver seat airbag both deployed. I have progressive insurance and it was fixed for $6300 total. Of course i had to pay my deductible.

2008 Acura TL type s with about 68,000mi (current mileage)

mtiaz

Your car is significantly worth more than OP's with that mileage^ probably wasn't enough to total the a TL-S with 68k on the clock

08KBP_VA

I think this is where my question is how are you getting to other places for estimates? Isnt it undriveable or did I miss something?

Nevertheless it doesnt hurt to see the full estimate and you can verify their takeoffs. Also remember if the cost to repair exceeds the ACV by over 90% (in VA) it becomes a parts only car and can never be registered.

zubi23

you should keep it even if its totaled and then just fix it.

you'd better check your control arm, ball joint, bushing and other parts that are probably out of wack now because if you don't fix it right your car will never drive the same.

idk how much it would cost to fix your airbags though.

truonghthe

tell the insurance to buy you a replacement car instead of paying $9000, normally the insurance offer is not negotiable. I would ask how much they would pay if you keep the car, repair the car keep all the paper work and pics before and after so can can resell later. I would say your knuckle is bend after this incident. Your car should be value around $10-$12k.

YeuEmMaiMai

for sure your sub-frame is toast along with control arm and other suspension pieces along with hub/bearing on that side... since airbag deployed, roughly 6K+ to fix

Chad05TL

9,000 isn't terrible for 127,000 miles. But it is a type-S though.. which boosts the price somewhat. I think the general condition matters too. I think the older these cars get, the less difference in price for type-s or not


.

honda_nut

That's a pretty low ball offer from them. For reference, I got paid a little over $13k including taxes and fees for my 2005 TL with 109,000 miles. Yours is 2 years newer and a Type S despite the slightly higher mileage. I have AAA insurance if that matters btw.