Auto Insurance Claims: Auto Accident, chevy trailblazer, brand new chevy

Question
I was in an auto accident on 8/13/07.  A man ran a red light and t-boned my brand new Chevy Trailblazer on the left side.  I am currently leasing this vehicle.  I was told by my insurance appraisor that the damage was roughly 9800.00, I just got my vehicle back after 46 days in the shop and it still is not complete and the total to date is 19,000+ not 9800 like originally stated, plus the shell of the truck is off/the right side passanger door will not shut correctly, the console is still broken etc which will probably be a few more thousand.  I returned the vehicle to be repaired some more but now I just am so frustrated that it wasn't totalled to begin with, I do not feel safe in this vehicle anymore and I have two small children.  So basically I'm wondering if I have any recourse to the insurance company for not totalling this vehicle to begin with.  I want to be out of this truck into something I feel safe in.

Answer
Hi Patty,

I understand your frustration. Unfortunately, now that the vehcle has been repaired (almost) there is not much you can do except to pursue a claim for the diminished value of the vehicle. Due to the extensive damage, the vehicle will never be worth the same as an undamaged vehicle. When you go to trade this vehicle in or at the end of the lease you will likely be charged thousands of dollars for "excess wear and tear" due to the collision damage.

To learn more about diminisihed value and how you can make a claim, visit www.collisionclaims.com .

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh