Any mechanics out there?

[sunseeker]

How much to replace the front quarter panel, hood, and bumper of a Nissan pathfinder?

I was in a little accident this evening.....I was waiting to turn out of the lot at work and another lady was starting to turn into the lot...when a guy in a big truck forgot to stop, hit her and pushed her into me....

My car looks so sad....

[Bicycle Bill]

Why worry about it? Sounds like the guy in the truck was at fault; his insurance should handle it.
Get your estimates from the dealer or other body shop; send 'em to your insurance company, who will send them to *his* insurance company.
End of problem.

-"BB"-

[springparrot]

(((Shannon))))

[sunseeker]

I'm worried...because I'm afraid they will total my car....and the money I get from it sure won't buy me another car...

[ph4ever]

From my experience with wrecks - you can't really judge by the outward appearances what the damage may be.

Sorry about the wreck - hope it's not totaled.

(((((Shannon)))))

[Brown Eyed Girl]

If there's no engine damage I wouldn't think they'd total the car. Your insurance company should either send out an adjuster or send you to one so you know the cost, which would then be the responsibility of the person at fault.

[popcornjack]

depending on the age of the vehicle and the extent of the damage they may choose to total it. However, if they do, insist that not only do you get the money but you get to keep the ca as well.

[Moonie]

How much to replace the front quarter panel, hood, and bumper of a Nissan pathfinder?

I was in a little accident this evening.....I was waiting to turn out of the lot at work and another lady was starting to turn into the lot...when a guy in a big truck forgot to stop, hit her and pushed her into me....

My car looks so sad....

if they total it, you can buy it back from them, for very little, then get it fixed.

especially considering it's a Nissan it will be worth fixing. Call a few auto salvages and get the price for the parts. You might have to get a total paint job to get the paint to match, depending on the age and condition of your current paint.

glad you didn't sustain any injuries!

[SMLCHNG]

Hoping all works out, (((((((Shannon))))))!! Glad YOU are ok!

[phjrsaunt]

What they all say makes a lot of sense...the other guy's insurance should cover it.

Phin power to Maverick's ride.

[Bicycle Bill]

I'm worried...because I'm afraid they will total my car....and the money I get from it sure won't buy me another car...

First, I'd find out exactly what is damaged. It might just be cosmetic, but since it was also a front-end impact it might also have damaged the suspension, tie rods, steering, etc. In that case, the wisest move might be to just kiss it goodbye.

If in fact it is only cosmetic damage and they do total it, they will then pay you 'market value' of the car (sometimes referred to as "Blue Book"). At that point ask them to sell you the vehicle back to you. The insurance company really doesn't want to deal with it, and all they're going to do is send it to a salvage yard or a wrecker and collect scrap value for it. If you offer them scrap value for it, the amount you eventually will receive (market value minus scrap value) might still allow you to fix the body damage and keep it running. And depending on the body shop you use, they might even be able to fiind salvage-yard parts that are close to or the same color as your vehicle and you won't have to get it repainted....saving you even more money.

We did that with my mother's Buick a couple years ago when I banged the front end into something in a parking lot. Even ended up making a couple hundred bucks on the overall deal (it helped that the body shop owner was a personal friend).

-"BB"-

[SeattleParrotHead]

Do not accept “Blue Book” value from them if they total it. They don’t owe you a book, they owe you a replacement car similar to the car they insured. Find a comparable (and suitable) replacement vehicle and whatever it costs is what they owe you. They are responsible for any sales taxes, fees, and licensing costs. They are also responsible for the unused portion of your current license tabs (if you just renewed your tabs a month ago, they owe you for 11/12s of what you just paid for the tabs.)

Years ago, I totaled a car, and the first offer from my insurance company was something like $4K. My car was in primo shape (had been anyway!) and had pretty low mileage. There was no way that I could replace it for $4K. I called the Washington State Insurance Commissioners office and found out exactly what my rights were. I looked around and found two cars comparable to mine and when the agent called me back, I told him what I had found and how much they were. The conversation went something like “OK, I’ll have a check for $6,000 ready for you tomorrow.” I said “NO, what about sales tax and licensing fees?” I could hear a calculator in the background and then he said “How about $6,425?” and I said “No, I just bought new tabs for it and the unused portion of the tabs is $350.” More calculator noise and “OK, $6,775?” I said, “well, there’s the $1.75 title transfer fee, but I guess I can cover that.”

Simply put, you should be made whole, without any cost to you.