Auto Insurance Claims: Daughters Auto Accident, infinity j30, nada

Question
My daughter was in an accident 12/19/2006 in Louisiana.  The other driver ran a red light and struck my daughters car. Her car is a 1993 Infinity J30 in good condition. The other driver lied about the accident and lied about receiving a citation from the investigating officer. We had to provide the police report in order to get them to pay the rental car. The insurance company wants to total her car because they estimate repairs to be approx $3174.00 They are offering her the following:  

Rental car for 7 days only (this is during holiday season)
$2974.00 (suppose to be NADA)
     or
$2650.00 after 10% buy back if she wants the car.
           

My insurance agent looked up their NADA which showed $4425.00 High
$3525.00 Med Range
$2425.00 Low End

Can she insist the car be repaired?  If not, how can I find the reasonable amount to be paid?  Her car is in good condition and not a low end car.  She just put a new transmission in and repainted the front bumper and grill..because paint was peeling. I do not believe she can find another car its equal for $2945.00.

She did have some bruising and soreness and did go to the emergency room after the accident.They have not mentioned emergency room fees or medical cost reimbursement.

Thanks for your help

Answer
Hi Daphne,

Insurance companies will often try to low ball you on total loss values.

The insurance company should be paying the fair market value (retail value) of your car. Check the following websites to determine the average value of your car.

1) www.nada.com
2) www.kbb.com
3) www.edmunds.com
4) www.autotrader.com

The last one will allow you to research currently for sale vehicles like yours in your area.

If the average of all of these sources is more than the insurance company is offering, then present them with copies of the information you have found. Then it's a matter of negotiating until you get a fair price. Also, remember that once you reach an agreement on the value of the car, that also need to add sales tax to the total settlement.

Also you should reming them of the emergence room visit. You will need to send them a copy of all of the bills for reimbursement.

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh