Auto Insurance Claims: Repairs vs totaling car, fire damage, careful analysis

Question
My adjuster first told me that he wants to total my car because it caught on fire, and from his past experience he said that repairing a car from fire damage is very difficult. He had my car towed to a dealer to inspect it and now he says he has to have it repaired because the damamges are about 5,000.00 away from totaling it out. I do not feel comfortable with having the car repaired. What can I do in order to have my car totaled? I am the owner of my car. I own the title free and clear. Any ideas?

Answer
Hi Deborah,

Insurance companies will generally total a vehicle if the cost to repair is at or above 75% of the value of the vehicle.

You should tell the body shop to do a careful analysis of the damage to look for any engine damage, wiring damage, etc..  They should get as close as possible to assessing all of they damage they can before starting any work.  If they find enough additional damage, you mnay be able to convince the insurance company to total the car.

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh