my S13 is total loss and insurance give $1400?

[RiversideS13]

They gave me the money based on their "market value" and i have no clue how they found those good deals. man for the xe coupe, i would totally jump on it if i had money and see the deal. and they minus $99 because it is manual? they should add $300 for that!

Local Market Comparable Vehicles Detail

The local market comparable vehicles are compared to the loss vehicle, and adjustments are made for differences in equipment, odometer, model, etc. The Adjusted Value represents the price of the comparable configured exactly as the loss vehicle.

Loss Vehicle Dealer Vehicle Dealer Vehicle Private Advertised
Comparable 1 Comparable 2 Comparable 3
1990 Nissan 1990 Nissan 1990 Nissan 1990 Nissan
240sx SE 240sx SE 240sx XE 240sx XE
3 Door Hatchback 3 Door Hatchback 2 Door Coupe 2 Door Coupe
5 Speed Transmission 5 Speed Transmission 5 Speed Transmission Automatic Transmission Overdrive

4-2.4L-FI 4-2.4L 4-2.4L 4-2.4L
Air Conditioning Air Conditioning Air Conditioning
Radio:AM/FM Stereo AM/FM Stereo Seek AM/FM Stereo Seek AM/FM Stereo Seek

207,532 miles 138,000 miles 144,000 miles 130,000 miles
Asking Price $1,600 Asking Price $2,200 Asking Price $2,200
Adjustments
Transmission -99
Air Conditioning +119
Model/Year +25 +25
Mileage -623 -563 -697
Adjusted Value $1,096 $1,662 $1,429
Location E Recycler Publication W Recycler Publicatcation W Recycler Publicatcation
Telephone 909-615-1328 562-860-6817 310-842-7048
Stock ID Stock: 4DSE578 Stock: W131124
Pub Date 6/29/2005 Pub Date 5/18/2005 Pub Date 7/27/2005
Distance from Riverside 15 Miles- Ontario 42 Miles- Norwalk 59 Miles- Culver City
Claim reference : 10000021426 Return to top Report Reference Number: 34479002

Loss Vehicle Dealer Vehicle Previous valuation
Comparable 4 Comparable 5
1990 Nissan 1990 Nissan 1990 Nissan
240sx SE 240sx XE 240sx SE
3 Door Hatchback 2 Door Coupe 3 Door Hatchback
5 Speed Transmission Automatic Transmission 5 Speed Transmission

4-2.4L-FI 4-2.4L 4-2.4L
Air Conditioning Air Conditioning
Radio:AM/FM Stereo AM/FM Stereo Seek AM/FM Stereo Compact Disc Player

Not Found on Loss Vehicle Aluminum/Alloy Wheels
207,532 miles 111,000 miles 207,532 miles
Asking Price $1,500 Value $1,406
Adjustments
Transmission -99
Air Conditioning +119
Model/Year +25
Radio Options -40
Not Found on Loss Vehicle -40
Mileage -845
Condition Adjustment -21
Adjusted Value $700 $1,305
Location N Recycler Publication
Telephone 818-515-8538
Stock ID Stock: 2UBU235
VIN JN1HS36P0LW108657
Pub Date 7/13/2005
Distance from Riverside 63 Miles- Los Angeles

[Phlip]

The fact here remains that your car will NEVER be worth what you feel it is worth to them. They will nitpick every little detail, physical and otherwise and add or subtract value accordingly... Yes, the manual transmission is an inherently valuable feature NOW, or to you and I as enthusiasts. The fact of the matter, however, is that it was standard then, automatics cost more, subtract value for having a 5-speed... At the end of the day, the insurance company does not CARE that you could have gotten 3k for your car from some kid on the internet, they look at what the car is really worth.

[lilredstiffy]

You don't have to accept what they offer. If you feel its unfair keep pushing them, show them similar cars and what they go for as far as price and keep records. Take them to court if you have to.

[CHRI$]

It looks like they had plenty of justification based on the market value of comparable vehicles. Before accepting their offer you should do your own research and find some really expensive ones to base it on; but they have to be reasonably comparable to yours. If I'm the insurance company; I want to find the 3 or 4 cheapest ones I can to assess the market for your car. If you can find 3 or 4 vehicles on CL, autotrader, etc. that are selling for $2,500-$3,000 and fax them that information you may be able to get the value up.

You do NOT have to accept the offer they give you - I've had 3 total loss vehicle claims (none my fault... my luck is horrible) and every time I've countered with my own research and received much higher offers after some negotiation.

Also, if you look at buying a new car an automatic transmission ALWAYS costs more - hence an insurance company values it more.

[snatch13]

The fact here remains that your car will NEVER be worth what you feel it is worth to them. They will nitpick every little detail, physical and otherwise and add or subtract value accordingly... Yes, the manual transmission is an inherently valuable feature NOW, or to you and I as enthusiasts. The fact of the matter, however, is that it was standard then, automatics cost more, subtract value for having a 5-speed... At the end of the day, the insurance company does not CARE that you could have gotten 3k for your car from some kid on the internet, they look at what the car is really worth.

exactly... quit bitching and go spend your $1400

[gmckey]

my friend had someone pull out in front of him in his beater early 90's escort hatch... I think he payed like... 500 for it, it blue booked at like 1600, but when the insurance company offered him 1500 for it, he showed them ~10 different local listings of comparable escorts all going for 2500+ and guess what, insurance FINALLY (after like, 3 weeks of the car being totalled and all the back and forth) got a check for $2600... so you can fight it and win I guess.

[theicecreamdan]

insurance companies will do their best to save money, first off they will try to stick it to you the best they can hoping that you will take it. If you fight back hard enough they will realize that they will end up saving more money by siding with you. Let them know that you are fully prepared to take as much of their time as it takes and they will be totally on your side, because its cheaper than lawyers and court time.

[drift freaq]

all you have to do, is give them research, you have compiled showing your local market value. If you do that they will negoiate a better deal with you. I have been there.
Though you must remember 89-90's do not have the market value that a 91-93 has . Its unfortunate but true 91 and ups are worth a good 1k more than most any 89-90 out there.

[p11driver]

it is very easy to get more money from your insurance, just takes time.
ive owned 2 cars that got toatled in accidents, and made money on both of them.
simply by showing them recipts of the money i put into the car, and auto trader adds with comparable cars. If your insurance is giving you local market value, thats great! There are many s13s for sale now on autotrader and recycler for way over 2,000.

[struka]

but will they give u some money for the aftermarket parts? also if u total it, can u take ur parts off so it will be stock and get the money for the car?

[Flybert]

$1400 seems fine for a POS sohc. About 6 months ago, we bought a good condition 91 base model for my bro for $1600. I got my 93 base model a few years ago for $1800.

[twong85]

Agreed 1400 seems pretty reasonable for a 1990 car, of course insurance will never give you what you could have sold the car for on your own.

[JaeTea]

Just because everyone wants to jump on the dorifto bandwagon doesn't mean your insurance company gives a shit.

They give you what the car is worth...not what some idiot would pay for it.

You posted asking prices of cars, why? Thats NOT what the cars are worth!

I think your confused on how insurance works.

[RiversideS13]

those asking price are what insurance agency found the "market value" on the sell ad (this info are what i directly copied from email, fuck infiniti insurance). If I can find a clean S13 coupe 5speed for 1800, i would buy it. (in fact i just spend more then 3500 brought a 91 coupe)

It just sucks that i spend alot of effort to find a clean car. The 1990 240sx i had was purchased from the original owner and it had no accident, runs very sharp. complete interior and no dents. I must say i was really proud of my purchased (althouht my gf hate it alot)

I think that's what you get when you messing with an old car. anyway, I rejected the offer and still waiting for the response.

but i just wondering if anyone here had their 240sx total lost? how much did you get?

[biggie]

Last year my '92 was totalled by an 18-wheeler that lost its brakes. I had about $7-$8K worth of work done on the car (80k miles DOHC went in 2 weeks before wreck and tons of aftermarket stuff). They gave me $2,800 and the car back (were gonna give me $3,100 if they kept the car). At the time I could have sold the car for around $5-$6K, yeah it sucks. But by parting it out I got aound that much in the end, just had to put some work into it.

[royL_w/cheese]

We'll I'm waiting to get fucked by my insurance company. I paid $5k for my 95 240 with 90k miles. Can't wait to see how much I'll get for this one.

[JaeTea]

Last year my '92 was totalled by an 18-wheeler that lost its brakes. I had about $7-$8K worth of work done on the car (80k miles DOHC went in 2 weeks before wreck and tons of aftermarket stuff). They gave me $2,800 and the car back (were gonna give me $3,100 if they kept the car). At the time I could have sold the car for around $5-$6K, yeah it sucks. But by parting it out I got aound that much in the end, just had to put some work into it.

That sucks. Fortunately my insurance company covers ALL my aftermarket parts, well whatever the adjuster thinks they are worth...but any modifications to the car are covered... I save all my receipts.

[SOLDIER [X]]

buy it back and part it out if any of the parts are usable you can make some money that way.

[[email protected]]

Also, if you look at buying a new car an automatic transmission ALWAYS costs more - hence an insurance company values it more.


not always, certain trims on a 350z enthusiat i think, the manual trans is a $1600 option and auto is standard ..lol :ghey:

[MEisGQ]

wow... sucks for you... keep bugging them and hope you get a cool insurance adjuster to come out. like everyone else said, do some market value research and fax it to them... obviously, look for the most expensive listings... dont do craigslist cuz everyone on there is cheap. go to dealerships... i saw a 93 fastback listed for 6600 the other day. little experience here, bought my 91 for 1200, got t-boned(barely touched the door and quarter panel) and it was declared total... got 2900 and got to keep the car... which is still running a year later.

[WanganRunner]

You posted asking prices of cars, why? Thats NOT what the cars are worth!

I think your confused on how insurance works.

Actually, I think you might be confused.

Insurance is NOT allowed to just KBB the car and write you a check. They have to give you the replacement value, you have to be able to purchase an equivalent vehicle for the amount of money they give you, that's the rule.

For instance, if you total a Z32TT, they're not going to get away with an $8k check or something, it'll have to be more like a $12k+ check.

When I totaled my Prelude, I got a $15.5k check, which is actually more than I had paid for the car to begin with. I didn't even have to haggle with them.

[mistaanime]

man..1400?? geez..insurance gave me 2100 for my bent fender when some lady backed into me..lol..I kept the money and Bent the fender out and now juss waitin to get my s13 front end. and car painted.

[mjjstang]

exactly... quit bitching and go spend your $1400


or be assertive and fight the system. dont take it like a bitch.

[veilside180sx]

Just because everyone wants to jump on the dorifto bandwagon doesn't mean your insurance company gives a shit.

They give you what the car is worth...not what some idiot would pay for it.

You posted asking prices of cars, why? Thats NOT what the cars are worth!

I think your confused on how insurance works.

Actually according to the law they are required to give you the means to acquire a vehicle in like condition and mileage to what you lost. That is what you have to push. DO NOT accept anything less than what you can acquire another one for. View them like sales people, when you purchase a vehicle...do you accept the first off the dealership offers you...heck no. You counter offer. That's how you have to deal with them as well.