So, my car got creamed today. Long story short, guy turned left in front of me without being able to clearly see into the intersection, hit my car, and I'm pretty sure it's totaled. I'm more or less fine (as were they, I've got friction burned skin from the airbag and a bit of a headache) but the front end of the car is completely smashed, 2/4 doors would need to be replaced, windshield, and there was substantial damage under the hood too (although I don't think the engine took a direct hit).

Get to pick up the police report tomorrow, talk to my insurance agent, but I wanted to do some research with kelly blue book about the value of my car before going in to be sure I'm not getting ripped off.But, what I can't seem to find in my paperwork or on my provider's (Farmers) website is if I should be expecting to receive the trade-in, private party, or suggested retail value of the car.

There's a $3000 difference between the trade in and retail value. In a perfect world, it'd make perfect sense that if the car was totaled, they'd pay me however much it took for me to buy an equivalent car. So, either the private party or retail value. But, there's always that part of me that's afraid I'm going to get screwed.

Anybody with any experience with this? I'm bringing in all three numbers with me in case they decide to try to drop me a check or a dollar figure tomorrow (unlikely) and will ask for an explanation either way, but I'd like to know as much as I can ahead of time so I know what to expect.

Porforis - Be very careful. His fault, right?

Then he owes you a rental car until you have a replacement, plus 100% value of the vehicle. Don't let them rip you off. Legally, that's what he owes you.

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Also a little trick they pull is they send a preliminary check. IF you cash it, you can't get ANYTHING in the future. DO NOT cash it.

Find out what the car's really worth. Demand the full amount and reimbursement for your rental car. If you fight them, you will get it.

I've had this happen to me before. My father's retired but he was a car insurance salesman so I know what I'm talking about.

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That's the big question, what is "worth"? But yeah, I'm normally not a person that complains about the small things but when it comes to big things like this, I WILL fight tooth and nail. There's no way in hell they're paying me the trade in value. They need to pay me however much it will take me to replace my vehicle with something equal to what I have.

I really don't need a rental car either, my girlfriend is actually going on a vacation with her parents this friday and I work from home, so I can have use of her car while she's gone and I don't need to travel to work. Also, grocery store/other places within walking distance.

I'm sore in the shoulders this morning, but glad my headache is gone. Time to call the cop shop and see if they have the crash report ready.

Porforis - I know nothing about cars. I'll pass that off to someone else. I just know about accidents.

However, the sore shoulders, to be safe, you should have a doctor look at them. You might be able to get an order for a series of massages (I'm being serious here).

The headache also get examined. Neck injuries happen. I got rear-ended in 1988 and from decades of desk work + that accident, I have to see a chiropractor twice a month. Don't mean to freak you out. Hopefully it's nothing. But it's better to be safe than sorry.

Look, you got hit. That's a fact. The person causing the accident is the guilty party here. Get what you deserve. I sincerely hope that nothing at all is wrong with you and that the only damage is your car. But cover your bases, just in case. It would suck to be paying for these injuries out of your pocket instead of his.

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Also be careful HEALTH wise. You may have injuries that come from this accident t right away that you didn't realize.
The sore sholder, could have something torn in there. Be checked out by your doctor to be SURE.
Otherwise, if you settle and THEN realize you WERE hurt, the person that hit you won't have to pay for whatever medical needs you may have.
I am NOT saying to "fake" anything. Just that if you have inuries, to make sure you don't get screwed.

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Porforis - This point Cheesey is making is imperative you take seriously. Do NOT settle before you get cleared by a professional. Trust me and Cheesey on this one.

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Even tho you think your injuries maybe minor you NEED to be checked out...

Its the same at a job....Say your cut yourself but no real huge badaid needed..Or you slipped on a rug and fell but you feel fine and no bruises..

Those things can come back to haunt you but if you don get looked at right away who is to say you didnt get somewhere else

Real story..

Guy I worked with dealt with printing in, and this ink would build up on a table of glass...He was scrapping the dried ink of the galls with a blade..It slipped in punctured him..No blood nothing, but he filled a report..

2 days later in hospital with ink poisoning..


So get yourself checked out

i concur on the getting yourself checked out deal. also, if your airbags deployed - i can almost guarantee they'll total your vehicle. the value of your vehicle will be based on what the insurance company 'feels' it's worth. i'm thinking it will be between trade-in & retail blue book value.

please go to the doctor!!!!

Yeah, I'm going to get my back checked out just in case. Feels a little bit funky, but my shoulder soreness is just about gone now. The back funkiness is new for today.

New question - I don't have medical coverage on my auto insurance, but I do have health insurance. I'm assuming I'd be on my own in terms of getting money from the guy that hit me for any out of pocket costs?

From my auto insurance company's description on their medical coverage


Also, having never really had to go to a doctor more than a few times in my life (and only once since I left the nest), I'm not too familiar with standard procedure. Would I want to go to my primary care physician/ask his recommendation, or straight to a chiropractor? I sincerely doubt there's anything wrong with anything but my back, if that.