Rear ended in an accident - how do I make sure my car is repaired, and not junked?

August Hubbard: There is really no way to make sure of the outcome. The insurance will investigate, and take the route that gives them the least expense. If the costs to fix are $2,000, plus the cost of a rental, and the fair market value of your car is $850, (made up numbers), it's pretty obvious what the decision will be.But in some cases they will let you "buy" the vehicle back for salvage value. In a circumstance like that, you will get a salvage title on the car, but you can then fix and drive it if you like. The only downside will be you will perhaps have some difficulty getting insurance, and collision will out of the question, and the fair market value will reduce by about 50%.Make sure when you claim that you tell them all the things done to the car so the fair market value will be increased. It's fair market value, but also adjusted for condition, and anything over routine maintenance should add to the value. For example, new brakes would be routine mainte! nance, but new tires would add to the value. As to the bill for towing, turn that in also and they should pay for that....Show more

Toby Caswell: by law if the car is not totaled then the car is fixable, so if the frame is not bent fix it if its worth it to you.

Raymon Fiene: go to a body shop and get an estimate that is 70% less than book value of car and present it to insurance company

Armanda Hertel: That sucks. If you have decent/good credit, you may be able to get an auto loan. Or you can shop for a cheap, used car that runs well and that you can make payments on. BTW, what type of repairs are we looking at?

Annabell Bevier: The things you mentioned: new brakes, tires, etc. are considered routine maintenance and repairs, and won't have an effect on the value of the car. A new engine may make a difference though. Take the receipt for that to the inspection so the adjuster can consider it. Also take the tow bill with you to get reimbursed.

! Dionna Doyel: get your bills together and write registered let! ter to ins co and tell them what you want/go from their answer