Ralthor

Last Wednesday my 98 Civic DX Hatchback got plowed into by a couple of
yahoos in a pickup truck. Luckily no one was hurt but the car has been
declared a total loss. As I wait for the adjustor to call me and bend me
over what would you guess is a fair market value for the car. I'm not
looking to make a fortune off it but I would like a decent down payment for
my next car.

Here's the details
98 Civic DX Hatchback.
sunroof
cd changer
44000 miles. That's right under 50,000 miles. We bought it in 2002 with
19,000 mile on it. I had hoped to give the car to my son in about 9 more
years. I figured I'd have 2-300 thousand miles on it by then.

I have been doing my homework and Kelly and NADA come in at around 5600 and
6000 respectively which seems awfully low when I see 98's in the paper with
120000 miles on them for sale at 6000. My gut says 7500-8000 would be a
fair value. What do you all think? I'll let you know what kind of
laughable offer I get from the adjustor.

Thanks,
Paul

halo2 guy

Unless the offer is completely acceptable to you don't accept it right off
Tell you would like a day or so to think about it. Also they should prorate
your tabs and pay you sales tax on the amount they decide to pay for your
car.

Also just because they offer you an amount doesn't mean you can't dispute it
or explain how it was in such great condition you deserve a little more than
that...etc.


"Ralthor" <pmadams@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1115044429.c7bbdc73f5f7620ac83e867bd0a695aa@t eranews...
> Last Wednesday my 98 Civic DX Hatchback got plowed into by a couple of
> yahoos in a pickup truck. Luckily no one was hurt but the car has been
> declared a total loss. As I wait for the adjustor to call me and bend me
> over what would you guess is a fair market value for the car. I'm not
> looking to make a fortune off it but I would like a decent down payment
> for my next car.
>
> Here's the details
> 98 Civic DX Hatchback.
> sunroof
> cd changer
> 44000 miles. That's right under 50,000 miles. We bought it in 2002 with
> 19,000 mile on it. I had hoped to give the car to my son in about 9 more
> years. I figured I'd have 2-300 thousand miles on it by then.
>
> I have been doing my homework and Kelly and NADA come in at around 5600
> and 6000 respectively which seems awfully low when I see 98's in the paper
> with 120000 miles on them for sale at 6000. My gut says 7500-8000 would
> be a fair value. What do you all think? I'll let you know what kind of
> laughable offer I get from the adjustor.
>
> Thanks,
> Paul
>

richard48@webtv.net

I have a 98 Civic EX coupe with about the same miles as yours, and I
doubt very much that I could sell it for more than $6000.

Larry

Many insurance carriers use a system that is much like getting an appraisal
for real estate. They obtain recent sales of your car, making some
allowances for being a year off, or being a different trim level and pay you
based on the average of those sales. They only use franchised new car
dealers for their data....none of the hokey used car sharks are even
considered. They do pay sales tax and the unused portion of the
registration. My daughter's 98 Saturn was totalled exactly a year ago.
Street value was in the $5000+ range....I was paid almost $7600 after the
$500 deductible was subtracted. Go to www.edmunds.com and research values
there as well....they are supposedly more in line than KBB. If a sunroof
and cd are the only options on the car, then something in the $6k range less
your deductible sounds appropriate. What people advertise for and actually
receive are 2 different things. If you disagree with the adjustor, you need
to provide actual evidence to support your reasoning for an increased
valuation.....emotionally based values won't cut it. As a last resort, ask
the adjustor to find another 98 DX on a dealer's lot as a replacement as
validation of its value. I do wish you a good experience with your
insurance carrier.

"Ralthor" <pmadams@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1115044429.c7bbdc73f5f7620ac83e867bd0a695aa@t eranews...
> Last Wednesday my 98 Civic DX Hatchback got plowed into by a couple of
> yahoos in a pickup truck. Luckily no one was hurt but the car has been
> declared a total loss. As I wait for the adjustor to call me and bend me
> over what would you guess is a fair market value for the car. I'm not
> looking to make a fortune off it but I would like a decent down payment
> for my next car.
>
> Here's the details
> 98 Civic DX Hatchback.
> sunroof
> cd changer
> 44000 miles. That's right under 50,000 miles. We bought it in 2002 with
> 19,000 mile on it. I had hoped to give the car to my son in about 9 more
> years. I figured I'd have 2-300 thousand miles on it by then.
>
> I have been doing my homework and Kelly and NADA come in at around 5600
> and 6000 respectively which seems awfully low when I see 98's in the paper
> with 120000 miles on them for sale at 6000. My gut says 7500-8000 would
> be a fair value. What do you all think? I'll let you know what kind of
> laughable offer I get from the adjustor.
>
> Thanks,
> Paul
>