Simple Bodywork On Old Cars: How Your Car Insurance Company Views This

The craziest little accidents seem like they require the least amount of effort to fix, right? A car door moved beyond its bending capacity such that it does not shut all the way is an example of one of these simple accidents. One would assume that the mechanic would just remove and repair or replace the door. However, your car insurance company would view this quite differently, especially if your vehicle is older than ten years.

Making Your Claim

You can choose to file a claim on this, or you can wait to see what it would cost you to just repair the door, side panel, etc. If you do file a claim, any estimate for the work that the insurance company has on file is compared to the value of the vehicle. The older the vehicle, the less likely the insurance company will pay for repairs on this type of accident. Still, if you were in the market for a new vehicle anyway, it may be worth it to see what your insurance company would do with your vehicle and your claim.

Pronouncing a "Total Loss"

In most cases where even minor damage in a minor accident exists on a vehicle that is older than ten years, insurance companies will pronounce the vehicle a "total loss." The depreciation of most vehicles over time is such that their total value is significantly less than what the insurance company would expect to do and expect to pay to restore your vehicle to its previous self. Even though you just want the vehicle repaired so that you can continue driving it, the insurance company would expect a complete restoration of the part or parts on the vehicle that were damaged in the accident.

As such, their estimates of what your car is worth, versus what the repair and restoration costs would be, do not balance out or make the repairs worth the cost. Ergo, your vehicle is a "total loss" and you will receive a check for it. In most cases you will also have to surrender the vehicle to your insurance company.

The Alternative: Do Not File a Claim and Pay for Repairs out-of-Pocket

Of course, you could always skip filing a claim on this minor accident. Sure, you do not have a vehicle at the moment and you will have to pay for all the repairs out of your own pocket, but you would not have to surrender the vehicle or begin hunting for your next vehicle. There is also the distinct possibility that the insurance company's estimate is on par with what it will cost you out-of-pocket to restore your vehicle, in which case, you are better off filing a claim anyway.

Talk to your insurer, like Wolf Insurance Agency, for more help.