I have a 2010 Nissan Altima SR 3.5 that has 16000 miles that has been really good care of ,not a blemish on it , that got hit from behind setting at a red traffic light, Tuesday last week. The estimate as of now is about $13,000.00. I hope the issurance will totaled the car, but the body shop seems to think will repair it.
Will the car lose value now that has been wricked. Do I lose that money or does the insurance company for the differance. Looking for advice. Thanks

 

This will come up when the new prospective buyer runs a " car fax " on your vehicle's history.Of course IF YOU make the insurance adjuster aware that you ARE A DEMANDING CUSTOMER and WILL ONLY ACCEPT PERFECTION,and no less,then the balance could tilt in your favor.Then you could cash out or have a used replacement vehicle provided for by the insurance co.Just my $.03 worth.

 

THIS!!!!!!! Make sure they know you will be crawling all over and under the car looking for apparent unfixed crash damage, and if you find any, will not accept the repair. You expect to be made whole with a car that was as good after the accident as it was before.

Lots of shops just partially beat out floor pans, inner structure, etc, dead giveaway that it has been hammered.

 

Yes! This is one case where you need to be a jerk if you have to.
In 1988 my 1986 Subaru got hit in the side. After repairs it felt a little funny sometimes but I didn't pursue it right away.
Later after I had noticed some weird tire wear I had an alignment shop inform me that my frame was slightly bent. To late to try filing another claim.
To get it fixed right would have cost me a lot of bucks and it still would have devalued the car.

 

Thanks guys for your imput!

 

My angle would be that the impact to induce 13K in body damage certainly disrupted other unforseen things that may show up at the worst possible time and could not possibly be returned to factory condition. Safety Features in "as new" condition would be expected, yet unattainable without dismantling the car entirely.

Just a thought......

 

Yes the vehicle will be worth less. Carfax will show it as a major incident and thus your car willbe worth less. Most times when a vehicle gets damaged by someone else then repaired you are still entitled to an additional monetary adjustment called "diminished value". Although I don't know if this applies in all states. Be sure to consult with your agent or knowledgable party.