Had an accident on Dec 26 with my 04 tsx (140,000miles). Car lost control in the snow and crashed into a guardrail. From a description of the damages, the insurer anticipates total loss.

front passenger side headlight destroyed.
Hood destroyed - buckeled at the center
bumper involved - but not heavily damaged.
Center grill destroyed.
Smell of some burning fluid (perhaps antifreeze?)
Car runs, but did not move (possibly lodged in the guardrail)

Does this sound like total loss just from the description?

 

Sorry to hear that, that sucks!

I wouldn't know whether to tell you if it's a total loss or not. But if you say the car doesn't move, then that's a problem. And there is probably other hidden damage that does not stand out by just looking at the car.

The most important thing is that you're safe. Hope everything works out for you...

 

yea I know...just confused by the response of the insurer. They haven't inspected the vehicle, although they have already started processing as a total loss. I just wonder if anyone sees the reason why they anticipate total loss only from the description of the damage...

 

Usually if damage is >= 50% of the current value of the vehicle then it is a total loss.

 

Usually but not always true. I think it varies from state to state. Because I was involved in an accident back in October in my 03' Accord with 130,000 miles. The damage was quoted as $5300 but the car was valued at a little over $9K by State Farm. So I asked them about the 50% thing and they said that the year of my car didn't meet the salvage law so in all actuality the damage estimate could go up the actual value of the car and still not be totalled.

I said screw it though and took the check they gave me as well as some $$$ for pain and suffering and bought the Tl-s for the wife. And then sold the car as well as some of the mods for extra $$$.

 

thanks for the response...

Geico tells me that they'll fix it up to 80% of the car's actual replacement cost. I've estimated that's ~$9000.

That means the damages have to exceed $7200. That's a lot of money...maybe they're assuming subframe damage or damage to internals?

 

^ I would suspect that it may be valued a little higher than that because like I said mine was valued at $9,000 and mine was a Honda Accord coupe, 1 year older granted it had like 10,000 less miles. I guess it will all depend on what system they use to value it.

 

Airbags go off? That adds a couple of grand to the repair price I've heard.

 

Not sure where you valued your car at but KBB puts it at in the mid 6's for private sale. 80% of that is around 5K.

If you have modifications that increase the value you will want to discuss that with your adjuster. They will value your car based on standard rules, not your estimate.

Good luck

 

^Insurance companies don't use KBB, that's a consumer "guide". Most insurance companies and banks use NADA and some insurance companies use their own seperate system

 

This needs to be move, this is the 2nd gen 09+ forum.

 

car was totaled with repairs in excess of $7600. Geico uses the cost of replacement as the true market value. Meaning local listings for a same car with similar mileage. They valued my car at 8400.

 

I'm looking to buy a 2004/05 TSX and come across a lot with salvage titles. Sounds like your car might be in that catagory when all the parts are replaced.

 

Sorry to hear about the incident.

Pulling a rough NADA value for a PA / '04 / TSX / 140K miles, I'm seeing $7725.00. Logically, it'll be good if you are able to get more based on their formulas.

There is usually an option to buy the car back though. Bur, I don't know what your insurance options will be if you do that.

 

were the airbags deployed?

If so, it will be totaled.