Auto Insurance Claims: auto claim, 2002 mitsubishi diamante, mitsubishi diamante

Question
I was involved in an accident that was caused by a car that hit black ice and caused me to swerve, hit the concrete median wall and skid across 2 lanes of traffic and crash into the right guard rail.  The driver of the other car freely gave me his insurance information.  I filed the claim with his insurance and they have gotten back to me with information stating that an adjuster would be contacting me.  I was told by a tire place that my frame is bent and everyone is telling me that they will total my car because of the bent frame.  My car is still driveable and most of the damage is in the front and some on the right rear panel.  Will they total my car because of that?  My car is not new, it's a 2002 Mitsubishi Diamante and I still have approximately 11,000 left to pay on it.  

Answer
Hi Shanell,

IN most cases, the insurance company will only total a vehicle if the cost to repair the vehicle is at or above 70% of the value of the vehicle.

You should go to www.nada.com to check the value of the vehicle. Then multiply by 70% to see what the total loss threshold will be.

Just because a vehicle has frame damage does not mean it is automatically a total loss. It is solely based on the cost of repairs.

Also, if the vehicle is declared a total loss, the insurance company will pay you the actual cash value of the vehicle, not the balance of your loan which may be higher.

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh