QuestionI recently had an accident while driving my 2007 Suzuki XL7 that had less than 6000 miles on it. The damage was extensive as I was T-boned on the drivers side. All 4 side airbags were deployed, the car tipped up sideways onto 2 wheels and it was extremely difficult to get the driver side doors open. We had it taken to a local body shop recommended by our insurance carrier. The body shop has been in this town for several years and I have no reason to question their integrity.
When my husband spoke to the body shop, he really emphasized that the because the damage was so extensive we really hoped that it would be declared a total loss. We received a phone call from them today and the gentleman told my husband he was not able to find damages that met the 70% of value required by the insurance. We are both very troubled by this for many reasons, mainly warranty issues. One thing that the body man said he was going to do was to cut a huge chunk out of the bottom of the car from the rocker panel to the middle of the car and weld a new piece in. We don't think that that is returning this car to "like new" condition just as if they cut a chunk out of the door or the hood and welded a new piece in. In your opinion, is this repair that he suggested something that we should try to reject? If we are forced by the insurance company to repair this car, we will be left with a useless vehicle as far as trade in or sale is concerned. If we have to agree to repairs, can we insist that the welding a a piece into the floorboard is NOT an acceptable repair for a essentially new car?
Thank you so much for any suggestions you might have.
Jane
Answer You few options here, ask the shop owner if he would be interested in buying the car as is and cash settle with the ins. co. You might check with other shops or salvage yards around town to see if they might be interested in the car. A lot of shops would be happy to by wrecked car with a clean title. If you have a cut rate ins. co., you are probably out of luck. If you had a good ins. co., like State Farm or Auto Owners, they might total the car for you.
Chances are that if that shop has been around a while and the ins. co. sent you there, you shouldn't have to many problems. The ins. co. will warranty the car for as long as you own it on top of the shops warranty.
Remember any vehicle with that much damage could very possibly have small problems down the road so if you get it fixed, make a list of any little thing that does not seem right and take it back to the shop for secondary repairs. I'm not saying you will have these problems but there is always a possibility.
