The Z got totalled. Not my fault. I'll try to get you the story later but here's what I need immediate attention on.

Let's say it was the Tib and it's totalled. The Tib is worth $3k, but it has $5k in parts on it and I have receipts on everything. I know most of you can relate since you have tons of parts on your cars and the Tib isn't worth jack to an insurance company.
How do I come out of this without losing thousands of dollars? The lady who hit me is with USAA.

 

If it's already been towed, see if you can visit to take out everything of value. Speakers, seats, whatever.

I don't know how USAA works, but it wasn't your fault. I know Progressive used to have the option to insure aftermarket upgrades for however much you would like. They should reimburse you for your losses and do everything to please you, since it wasn't your fault.

Be hard on them, and make sure they give you what you deserve. Fight them if you have to. Honestly, it shouldn't be big for them to pay out $10,000. For you to have the receipts, that should help you out a great deal.

Play hard ball, everything should be up for discussion and negotiation until the settlement papers are signed.

 

Maybe you can buy the wreck from the insurance company and get whatever parts are still ok?

 

I don't have comprehensive on the Z, only the Tib. So if it came down to my own insurance, then they're not gonna pay me anything. I'll most likely be fighting her/USAA for the money. However, parts are just parts. Would it be like me making them pay for my oil filter? Most of the parts I have are in the motor itself, not visible. The motor alone is about $2k of my expenditures.
I'm gonna try to take out stuff they wont miss, but I don't think I can just pull the motor and tranny, and driveshaft. I'm sure they want a whole car.

I could buy the car, but that would eat basically all of what they would give me for the value.

 

yeah, buying the car back would be more hassle than the money you would save. Your insurance company shouldn't be involved at all, and depending on your policy, they might not even need to be notified.

Last accident I had, I called my local agent to ask, "If I'm in an accident, and it's not my fault, do I have any responsibility or obligation to report it to Allstate?" The lady told me kindly that it was not required, and probably in my best interest not to do so, as everything is documented on the policy if something happens.

 

I've only been involved in 1 accident (I was hit). However I dealt only with my insurance company, they took care of everything for me.

I just read this; http://www.all-about-car-accidents.com/how...car-damage.html



I'd assume this is how you can add those aftermarket parts in... How much in parts are we talking about?

If you had parts put in, do you have the old parts that came out? I wonder if you could swap them, so that they are still getting the full car.

 

No way they can be swapped. This car was highly modified. Pistons, rods, studs, balancing, honing, boring, canisters, carpeting, rare tranny, aluminum driveshaft, Holset, IC, aluminum piping welded, clamps, couplers, FAL fan........ Literally $5-6k in parts. All it was missing was a fresh paintjob. From the outside, it looks like an old car. But interior and motor, it was clean!

 

jon, usaa is usually pretty good at compensating people for loss. if i were you, i'd contact usaa, get a meeting set up and see if they'd compensate you for your loss. if not, debate whether hiring a lawyer to sue usaa/woman who hit you. only options my friend. for future FYI, did you know that having renters insurance covers all the things in your car?
speaking of, didn't you just buy a house? you should have property insurance. give them a call. technically speaking, ICE and other "upgrades" you have in your car are considered "property" and should be covered under any kind of property/homeowners insurance. sounds wacky, but trust me, my renters insurance with usaa was GOLD when my car got broken into, lost golf clubs, sub, headunit, etc.

dude, sorry to hear about your z, i wanted to get a ride in that thing man...

 

Be careful about filing under homeowner's insurance. Yeah, you can get reimbursed, but my parents claimed $5,000 in damage to their roof and their homeowner's insurance shot up $200/mo. They lost money in the long-run. Filing a claim can hurt you, so do whatever you can to have HER insurance pay for it.

 

Quick and dirty...

When dealing with you're own insurance,you pretty much have to do whatever they want. You signed an agreement with them and they can make you follow whatever you agreed to, whether it's going to a particular body shop and making you provide receipts or whatever...

When the accident is someone else's fault and you're dealing with their insurance, YOU are in control. You don't have any contractual obligation with them so you can demand whatever you want. doesn't mean they have to give it to you, but as long as you're reasonable, they'll usually give you whatever you ask for rather than having to face going to court over it. If you have receipts, start by asking for what you paid for everything plus the highest "book value" you can find for your car. They'll probably come back to you with a lower number, but this is how negotiating works. You'll probably have to settle for "private party" KBB value in "good" condition, plus a depreciated amount for your aftermarket stuff.