Auto Insurance Claims: Car was totaled now what, salvage vehicles, fire flood

Question
what will my insurance company do for me now that my car was totaled in a accident.The fault is on the other driver how do I get another car to replace the one I lost. What are the procedures to look for

Answer
Hello,

In all honesty, you have not given me all details about your claim, but that is OK. The best information you can get as it is tailored specifically to your situation is to contact your agent. If you do not have an agent, speak with your insurance company's claim department.

As far as replacement, they will give you blue book or market price on the vehicle. I have never known an insurance company to go to the effort of replacing a vehicle.

You may find the amount you receive is less than what you have in the vehicle and there is no recourse.

People that buy salvage vehicles love the deal they got unless the vehicle is totalled. They think they will get full market value for the car only to find it is worth 30-40% less than a non-branded car.

As for procedures of buying a replacement vehicle, there is nothing credible that I see out there that gives that type of info. I guess the best thing to do is find a vehicle you like and check out the title history first by going through carfax.com. This is not as comprehensive as one would like it to be, but it is a starting point to determine if the vehicle has ever been branded from a theft, fire, flood or collision.

Drive the car. See if it drives good on the highway. If the brake pedal pulsates, it probably needs hundreds in brake work. Check all fluids. If the coolant is brown and rust colored,STAY AWAY!!!! That tells you the engine has been over heated. Remove the transmission dip stick (If applicable. The fluid should be red in color. Smell it--if it smells burned, could be a potential for a transmission overhaul. With the engine off, check the oil level and consistency of the oil. It should be clear on the stick. If black and clumpy, stay away because the engine has not been maintained. Check underneath for leaks. Seepage is OK, but if oil is built up and leaks, have a mechanic look at the car.

Insurance companies will give you discounts for air bags, anti-lock brakes and even a factory installed "Anti-Theft" system. What they forget to tell you is that if your car is ever stolen, your theft claim will never be paid because according to the insurance companies and the experts that work independently for them, it is "impossible" to steal the vehicle. In the event the replacement car does get stolen, then you would go to our site http://www.autotheftexpert.com for assistance.

I hope I assisted in answering your questions.

Rob