Auto Insurance Claims: car, diminished value, insurance company

Question
I was in a car accident and it was not my fault. i have an 2006 cobalt and the damages are 6,500 and my car is worth 9,500 is my car totaled?

Answer
Hi Tiffay,

The point at which an insurance company will total a vehicle is generally arount 75% of the value of the vehicle. If as you say the vehicle is worth $9500.00, then it should be totaled at $7125.00. You should tell the insurance company to add the $6500.00 in damge plus the cost of a rental car during repairs, plus diminished value which in your case will likely be at least $1500.00.  The combined total is over the $7125.00 needed to total the vehicle.

Unless you do not want them to total the car.  But it is very close. It could go either way.

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh