re: salvage branding?!

[silenthunder]

got in an accident - was my fault.

insurance said car was a write off (1998 maxima se). I told them my preference was that I get whatever money they offer me and I'll fix the car (the car is in immaculate condition aside from the rear panel damage from the accident). The guy I'm dealing with at my insurance co. is not being very nice.

1. he told me some hooey about: we need to sell the car for salvage and then we take 30% of the amount for profit. You get the rest of the money.
(I know this isn't how it works - I know their own policy doesn't say this )

my actual question is:

2. today I got a form informing me the car has been branded 'salvage' and that the license plates are now invalid.

Can they do that?! Can they label the car as salvage without me turning the car over to them? (i.e. i still have the title/ownership etc.).

I'm thinking that the guy did this as a hardball tactic to try and get me to take his lowball offer.

Anyone have more experience with this? (there was a thread about this kind of thing a while back - but there was no info I could find about whether the actual 'salvage' label is done after the insurance company gets possession of the car - or if it happens before then).

appreciate any info you guys can give me.

Cheers,

Silenthunder

[thrifthunter]

They should pay you the book value of the car - the car is then theirs.
If you still want the car ask them how much it would cost you to buy it back off them.

[silenthunder]

thanx for the reply but I was hoping for someone to tell me whether or not they can brand it as 'salvage' even before they have paid us for the car.

about a year ago we went through a similar process with this car (someone drove into it while it was parked!!). the insurance company paid us the book value and let us fix it without branding it salvage. I was hoping for a similar outcome here - but it seems like the guy we're dealing with this time is a hardass.

[mikeymike1]

thanx for the reply but I was hoping for someone to tell me whether or not they can brand it as 'salvage' even before they have paid us for the car.

about a year ago we went through a similar process with this car (someone drove into it while it was parked!!). the insurance company paid us the book value and let us fix it without branding it salvage. I was hoping for a similar outcome here - but it seems like the guy we're dealing with this time is a hardass.

So you want to continue to drive a salvaged/unfit vehicle on the road, continue to get into accidents, continue to benefit from insurance claims?? :facepalm::facepalm::facepalm:

[starboy869]

Getting a vehicle branded as salvage isn't because it's unsafe it could be the bodyshop est is too much for the book value of the vehicle.

[mikeymike1]

Getting a vehicle branded as salvage isn't because it's unsafe it could be the bodyshop est is too much for the book value of the vehicle.

A 'salvage branded' vehicle is indeed unsafe according to the Ministry of Transportation and the Highway Traffic Act. Salvage branded vehicles cannot be driven on public roads. But I'm sure this OP guy will do so anyways.

[silenthunder]

So you want to continue to drive a salvaged/unfit vehicle on the road, continue to get into accidents, continue to benefit from insurance claims?? :facepalm::facepalm::facepalm:

thanks for your criticism.

do you have anything to say about the question i asked?

[Voltex]

A 'salvage branded' vehicle is indeed unsafe according to the Ministry of Transportation and the Highway Traffic Act. Salvage branded vehicles cannot be driven on public roads. But I'm sure this OP guy will do so anyways.

Link me to where it says a salvage car is "unsafe".

[silenthunder]

A 'salvage branded' vehicle is indeed unsafe according to the Ministry of Transportation and the Highway Traffic Act. Salvage branded vehicles cannot be driven on public roads. But I'm sure this OP guy will do so anyways.

again - do you have anything to say about the actual question? can the vehicle be listed as salvage even though it has not actually been 'sold' to the insurance company yet.

[mikeymike1]

Link me to where it says a salvage car is "unsafe".

Is it that hard for you to put two and two together???

If a vehicle is branded salvage do you think the OP should still be driving on public roads??? duh!
Nevermind what the actual damage is if its branded salvage then its branded salvage. plain and simple. It forbidden to be driven on public roads.


Bradford Resident Convicted of Selling Unsafe Cars
A Bradford man was convicted in Barrie Provincial Offences Court Tuesday, after posing as a car dealer and selling salvage-branded cars to unsuspecting consumers.
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/ontario-motor-vehicle-industry-council-bradford-resident-convicted-selling-unsafe-cars-908825.htm

[mikeymike1]

again - do you have anything to say about the actual question? can the vehicle be listed as salvage even though it has not actually been 'sold' to the insurance company yet.

Your insurance company did the right thing by branding it salvage. Now in order for you to keep driving it on our public roads you will have to jump through hoops and pay up to change the branding to Rebuilt. Now guess what? I'll bet your insurance company won't even insure rebuilt branded vehicles because the majority of insurance companies won't.
I would think that if they deemed it a total write off/total loss by the salvage branding that you would have to turn over the vehicle to them. That's between you and them and how they wish to handle it.

[Voltex]

Oh and for the record, forbidden doesn't equal unsafe. Your logic is flawed.

[mikeymike1]

Oh and for the record, forbidden doesn't equal unsafe. Your logic is flawed.

There you go OP.... ^^ Continue to drive that car. Drive it as much as you like and when you get pulled by the police use this excuse^^ :lol: :lol:

[Voltex]

There you go OP.... ^^ Continue to drive that car. Drive it as much as you like and when you get pulled by the police use this excuse^^ :lol: :lol:

:facepalm:

When did I ever say it was okay to drive a salvage titled car on the streets? I'm just saying a salvage car doesn't necessarily mean the car is unsafe. Is that too much for you to handle?

[mikeymike1]

When did I ever say it was okay to drive a salvage titled car on the streets? I'm just saying a salvage car doesn't necessarily mean the car is unsafe. Is that too much for you to handle?
You don't have to imply its ok. What? you think the OP's 98 maxima is a museum piece and is forever til eternity going to sit in his driveway? :lol:
What in the world do you think the purpose of the automobile is for???
Your ignorance of how the system works is really shining through LOLOL
You really need to learn the purpose of branding and what they are for.

[Voltex]

You don't have to imply its ok. What? you think the OP's 98 maxima is a museum piece and is forever til eternity going to sit in his driveway? :lol:
What in the world do you think the purpose of the automobile is for???
Your ignorance of how the system works is really shining through LOLOL
You really need to learn the purpose of branding and what they are for.

Ummm what? If his salvage titled car is safe to be on the streets it can be rebranded as a rebuilt car.

[garyhudson]

Ummm what? If his salvage titled car is safe to be on the streets it can be rebranded as a rebuilt car.

there is a slight misunderstanding. Salvage means the car is unsafe to be insured/driven legally on the streets IN ITS CURRENT CONDITION. This title is given by a guy or a group of people, who determine the state of the car after the accident.

Of course, there are cars which have its bumper torn off and branded salvage (just for example), but then there are those cars which have permanent frame damage which affects the safety of such car. Now, once this car is branded salvage, it cannot return to a clear title again.

What one can do is repair the car such that it satisfy MTO's requirements/inspection for them to consider it as "repaired". Then and only then, the car is considered "safe" and legal to return to the road, even though insurance companies may or may not insure such vehicle.

No offences intended.

[tsxnation]

I have two rebuilt vehicles that perform as new for a fraction of the cost. Insurance companies are quick to brand cars for minor accidents...I love that :)

[starboy869]

There used to be a scam a few years ago where someone "stole" their own car. Strip it down to a bare shell and dumped it on the street.

They buy back the 'salvage' car and install it with their own parts. Do the hoops with the special safety check that mto requires. Tada almost a free car with a rebuilt title. However insurance companies caught on to this is usually almost never premit 'buy-back' from insurance companies.

Btw I know of a few Acura RSX-type s for sale with salvage titles due to missing engines. Replacement costs for the insurance companies deemed it too high since a used k series type-s engine are highly desired (legit and stolen)and fetch a a good dollar on the used market. However all said and done you could have a rebuilt newer rsx type s for less than $10k on the road.

[silenthunder]

Your insurance company did the right thing by branding it salvage. Now in order for you to keep driving it on our public roads you will have to jump through hoops and pay up to change the branding to Rebuilt. Now guess what? I'll bet your insurance company won't even insure rebuilt branded vehicles because the majority of insurance companies won't.
I would think that if they deemed it a total write off/total loss by the salvage branding that you would have to turn over the vehicle to them. That's between you and them and how they wish to handle it.

Okay so you're saying the insurance company can brand a car as salvage even before they have possession of the vehicle?

does everyone else agree on this?

okay - so now I'd like to ask : what if the original quote to repair was WAY high? can this salvage branding be reversed if they deem that the original reasoning behind it being labelled as 'salvage' is moot (i.e. their original quote to fix was 4K+, while the quotes i'm getting now are around 1200-1500.

btw MIKEYMIKE1 - the car in question is not being driven right now - its parked in back of the collision place waiting for me to sort this stuff out and figure out if its getting fixed. I hope this eases your worries.

[silenthunder]

how much does it cost to get a rebuilt car inspected? (trying to figure out now what to do)

[l69norm]

..... today I got a form informing me the car has been branded 'salvage' and that the license plates are now invalid.

Can they do that?! Can they label the car as salvage without me turning the car over to them? (i.e. i still have the title/ownership etc.).

I'm thinking that the guy did this as a hardball tactic to try and get me to take his lowball offer.

Anyone have more experience with this? (there was a thread about this kind of thing a while back - but there was no info I could find about whether the actual 'salvage' label is done after the insurance company gets possession of the car - or if it happens before then).

..

I believe the actual declaration of "salvage" is *after* the ins. company either:

a) takes posessesion of the damaged car and pays out a settlement for everything
OR
b) leaves you with both a (smaller) settlement and the damaged car

However, the ins. company is required to inform you *before* in writing that the car is considered to be "salvage" or "irrepaireble". I believe this the form/letter you received. Either way, the car is going to end up being branded as salvage

[mikeymike1]

Okay so you're saying the insurance company can brand a car as salvage even before they have possession of the vehicle?

does everyone else agree on this?

okay - so now I'd like to ask : what if the original quote to repair was WAY high? can this salvage branding be reversed if they deem that the original reasoning behind it being labelled as 'salvage' is moot (i.e. their original quote to fix was 4K+, while the quotes i'm getting now are around 1200-1500.

btw MIKEYMIKE1 - the car in question is not being driven right now - its parked in back of the collision place waiting for me to sort this stuff out and figure out if its getting fixed. I hope this eases your worries.


Ok so its being held at a collision center. Your insurance company probably had an adjuster visit and look at the damage as well as received estimates from the collision center. They deemed it as salvage/write off and once they pay your claim off the car will no longer be yours. You can go there but I highly doubt the collision center will release it to you. I'll bet they will have specific directions from your insurance company to seek salvage and parts companies to try recoup some of the monies they paid you for your claim.
I believe the only way you can keep the wreck is to refuse the insurance salvage claim. By doing so you're on your own. You can't have your cake and eat it too.

[silenthunder]

Ok so its being held at a collision center. Your insurance company probably had an adjuster visit and look at the damage as well as received estimates from the collision center. They deemed it as salvage/write off and once they pay your claim off the car will no longer be yours. You can go there but I highly doubt the collision center will release it to you. I'll bet they will have specific directions from your insurance company to seek salvage and parts companies to try recoup some of the monies they paid you for your claim.
I believe the only way you can keep the wreck is to refuse the insurance salvage claim. By doing so you're on your own. You can't have your cake and eat it too.

the collision center its at is one i dropped it off at - as far as the insurance company knows the car is parked in my driveway. I'm going to see what happens when I get a lower quote from this collision center and send it to the insurance company.

Mikeymike1 I suspect you are trying to help - but several of the comments you have posted are quite inflammatory. I'm not sure why you have such an issue with me for wanting to keep my car and fix it. I'm even willing to do so out of pocket. I'm not proposing something here that is illegal - I'm sure this kind of thing happens every day.

I'm going to drop by the MTO at some point today to ask them where i can find out more information about this. Thank you to the people on here who tried to provide me with some information - I'll post anything I find out here.

[starboy869]

He seems to be an e-thug in the automotive section, but has a wealth of knowledge in the $$ section.

[silenthunder]

so I spoke to a couple of mechanics and a collision guy - they all said the salvage branding can't happen until after I have accepted the offer from insurance. they also said that i can probably get it fixed and inspected/certed and just submit that to the insurance company and avoid salvage branding - I'm going to do some more legwork on finding out more about that.

[tsxnation]

how much does it cost to get a rebuilt car inspected? (trying to figure out now what to do)

Well the salvage inspection including the mandatory alignment is approximately 250 when I last checked. Then you have to do the normal safety and emission test if you are transferring ownership.

You need to submit receipts for all parts used to repair the vehicle as well prior to inspection.

[Voltex]

there is a slight misunderstanding. Salvage means the car is unsafe to be insured/driven legally on the streets IN ITS CURRENT CONDITION. This title is given by a guy or a group of people, who determine the state of the car after the accident.

Of course, there are cars which have its bumper torn off and branded salvage (just for example), but then there are those cars which have permanent frame damage which affects the safety of such car. Now, once this car is branded salvage, it cannot return to a clear title again.

What one can do is repair the car such that it satisfy MTO's requirements/inspection for them to consider it as "repaired". Then and only then, the car is considered "safe" and legal to return to the road, even though insurance companies may or may not insure such vehicle.

No offences intended.

Yes I know what you mean. Most salvage vehicles are indeed unsafe AT FIRST (with one exception off the top of my head right now being vehicles that only have cosmetic damage without any exterior parts missing) but that doesn't mean it can't be repaired and put back on the road. There was a story about an Integra Type-R a few years ago where the seats were stolen and the car was given a salvage title. Obviously in its current condition (without seats) it's unsafe, but salvage vehicles like these can be repaired relatively easy and put back on the road. Mikey though thinks that once a car is given a salvage title it's instantly a heap of **** and can never be turned back into a roadworthy car.

[mikeymike1]

Yes I know what you mean. Most salvage vehicles are indeed unsafe AT FIRST (with one exception off the top of my head right now being vehicles that only have cosmetic damage without any exterior parts missing) but that doesn't mean it can't be repaired and put back on the road.
How mighty white of you to even use that word 'unsafe' and 'salvage' in the same sentence.



Mikey though thinks that once a car is given a salvage title it's instantly a heap of **** and can never be turned back into a roadworthy car.
Gimme a break dude. No where did I state the vehicle is a heap of asterisks.
Its blatantly clear you have no clue as to the purpose of branding

If you bought a used car privately uncertified where the owner already performed the MTO registration to you it would be branded 'unfit', It will stay unfit until the time you get it certified and clean air tested then re-licensed. Prior to that its unfit and not road worthy. You get that yet??? of course not.
Read post #11 again and get a clue

Then try read post #17 again. wow Its amazing someone else is trying to educate you too.

While you're doing that read post #4 again... heres what I wrote
So you want to continue to drive a salvaged/unfit vehicle on the road,

This is the very first post you chose to contest... learn to read

[silenthunder]

How much is the car worth vs the cost to repair?

How bad is the damage?

Is the damage repair more than the car is worth...(maybe they only value the car at $1,800, so a $2,000 repair is not really that expensive, but in this case its more than the car...?)

Or is the car really totaled? Like all glass broken, twisted frame, airbags, no doors close, hood and close wont shut, engine pushed into cabin, etc?

the damage is: the bumper cover has a hole in it and there is a rather large dent in the rear right panel. there is no structural damage.

the insurance company's preferred collision centre made a ridiculous estimate of 4K. I have since gotten another estimate of 1500. car is worth about 2200.

AFAIK the car has not been branded as salvage yet since I have not received anything yet. (the insurance company sent me a letter stating it had been branded as salvage - but after talking to some people I've since figured out this is a pressure tactic)

[silenthunder]

went to the MTO ; my license for the vehicle is still valid - so it appears that the insurance company sent me paperwork as part of a negotiations tactic I guess.

[garyhudson]

Yes I know what you mean. Most salvage vehicles are indeed unsafe AT FIRST (with one exception off the top of my head right now being vehicles that only have cosmetic damage without any exterior parts missing) but that doesn't mean it can't be repaired and put back on the road. There was a story about an Integra Type-R a few years ago where the seats were stolen and the car was given a salvage title. Obviously in its current condition (without seats) it's unsafe, but salvage vehicles like these can be repaired relatively easy and put back on the road. Mikey though thinks that once a car is given a salvage title it's instantly a heap of **** and can never be turned back into a roadworthy car.

Now I see your and his point. I will reply as following.


How mighty white of you to even use that word 'unsafe' and 'salvage' in the same sentence.


Gimme a break dude. No where did I state the vehicle is a heap of asterisks.
Its blatantly clear you have no clue as to the purpose of branding

If you bought a used car privately uncertified where the owner already performed the MTO registration to you it would be branded 'unfit', It will stay unfit until the time you get it certified and clean air tested then re-licensed. Prior to that its unfit and not road worthy. You get that yet??? of course not.
Read post #11 again and get a clue

Then try read post #17 again. wow Its amazing someone else is trying to educate you too.

While you're doing that read post #4 again... heres what I wrote
So you want to continue to drive a salvaged/unfit vehicle on the road,

This is the very first post you chose to contest... learn to read

Please, keep the chat courteous, we aren't lawyers and this isnt a court, we dont need to argue lol.

I dont know what you/other people wrote in the other posts, but to my knowledge a car with salvage title is considered BY LAW to be not allowed on the road, due to officials regarding vehicles with such branding unsafe. As to how the OP's car got its "salvage" branding, only the adjuster/inspector will know. They are the expert. However, please notice that "salvage" and "unfit" are different statements of the car's condition. Salvage can mean frame damage while unfit can mean just a burnt out light bulb. To the law (if my information is not deceiving me), "salvage" is "unsafe" in the eye of the law, not us.

Now, 'salvage' titled cars can be repaired to satisfy conditions set by the MTO, and once it passes required tests the car can have its "salvage" title changed to "repaired". What I would suggest the OP do is, get a trusted independent mechanic to check the actual state of the car and give an estimate of whether it can be repaired and how much it would cost. If there is frame damage, walk away, that car is never going to be the same. If its just cosmetic and you can stand it, talk with the insurance company and ask them to hand you the money.

Just my opinion and again, no offences intended.

[mikeymike1]

Now I see your and his point. I will reply as following.
Please, keep the chat courteous, we aren't lawyers and this isnt a court, we dont need to argue lol.

I dont know what you/other people wrote in the other posts, but to my knowledge a car with salvage title is considered BY LAW to be not allowed on the road, due to officials regarding vehicles with such branding unsafe. As to how the OP's car got its "salvage" branding, only the adjuster/inspector will know. They are the expert. However, please notice that "salvage" and "unfit" are different statements of the car's condition. Salvage can mean frame damage while unfit can mean just a burnt out light bulb. To the law (if my information is not deceiving me), "salvage" is "unsafe" in the eye of the law, not us.

Now, 'salvage' titled cars can be repaired to satisfy conditions set by the MTO, and once it passes required tests the car can have its "salvage" title changed to "repaired". What I would suggest the OP do is, get a trusted independent mechanic to check the actual state of the car and give an estimate of whether it can be repaired and how much it would cost. If there is frame damage, walk away, that car is never going to be the same. If its just cosmetic and you can stand it, talk with the insurance company and ask them to hand you the money.

Just my opinion and again, no offences intended.

I made my initial post and the arguing was initialized by starboy869 and voltex. In fact it wasn't even my post that started this silly debate about the word 'unsafe'. It was starboy869 who brought it up. (yes he can't read either). They chose to contest and challenge.
I very well know the meaning of vehicle branding and the 'law' that enforces such branding.
But by merely defending my stance I'm a thug?? Who's the one here that's already had 4+ posts deleted by admins for excessive use of asterisks :lol:

[silenthunder]

I very well know the meaning of vehicle branding and the 'law' that enforces such branding.


okay - if you know the law - then could you please answer my original question that started this thread:

can an insurance company brand a car as salvage BEFORE they have made the actual payout on the car (i.e. before they have 'purchased' the car or the owner has exercised the right of refusal)

also: how much does it cost to do an inspection to get a car to 'rebuilt' status

and: if the car is not yet 'salvage' do you just need to get the car certified normally and send that to the insurance company to avoid the 'salvage' status.

any help is appreciated.

[mikeymike1]

okay - if you know the law - then could you please answer my original question that started this thread:

can an insurance company brand a car as salvage BEFORE they have made the actual payout on the car (i.e. before they have 'purchased' the car or the owner has exercised the right of refusal)

also: how much does it cost to do an inspection to get a car to 'rebuilt' status

and: if the car is not yet 'salvage' do you just need to get the car certified normally and send that to the insurance company to avoid the 'salvage' status.

any help is appreciated.

That has nothing to do with the law and/or policies of 'branding'
What your insurance company decides to do is their own business. If they want to conduct themselves prematurely to those facts then its up to them.
I have no idea what he-said she-said to you or them via vocal, written or otherwise. Who knows, you may have given them the impression that a settlement has been made and they are proceeding with the branding status.

From your initial posting you want the insurance company to pay you for a 'total loss' book value for the accident and still keep the car so that you can fix it yourself. Somehow you got away with such the first time around and want same this time but now you have a smarter insurance adjuster who sees right through you.
If you want the insurance settlement then your insurance company has every right to deem the vehicle as salvage and have the vehicle disposed of how ever they see fit to try recoup some of their money back.

The cost of the inspection (salvage branded) will vary from authorized inspection station to another. I believe they must be Type 6 inspection stations.
Most accident repaired vehicles don't need to be re-certified. Unless the mechanic repairing your vehicle notices severe structural frame damage which he must advise you of then you two can decide which direction to go.

[silenthunder]

you use terms such as 'get away with'

and

'sees right through you'

what i'm trying to do is not an uncommon thing; do a google search you'll find several people who have negotiated with their insurance companies so that the car isn't branded as 'salvage'. I'm not sure why you are inferring that I'm trying to do something shady.

[Mayosandwich]

Someone here mentioned you can actually get insurance to change a cars salvaged title to repaired. Can you really? How do you go about this ans how much would it cost

[BoogieWilliams]

Just because a car has been branded "salvage" doesn't mean that it is actually unsafe. Insurance companies usually do this when the damage costs equal or outweigh the actual value of the car.

[thrifthunter]

Why do you have an issue with the insurance company branding it as salvage? That is what it is. This is a US definition but you get the idea:

A Salvage Title is issued on a vehicle damaged to the extent that the cost of repairing the vehicle exceeds ~ 75% of its pre-damage value. This damage threshold may vary by state. Some states treat Junk titles the same as Salvage but the majority use this title to indicate that a vehicle is not road worthy and cannot be titled again in that state.

Once you fix the car, it will then become:
A Rebuilt/Reconstructed vehicle is a salvage vehicle that has been repaired and restored to operation. These vehicles are often severely damaged before they are rebuilt and refurbished parts are typically used during reconstruction. In most states, an inspection of the vehicle is required before the vehicle is allowed to return to the road.

[thrifthunter]

the insurance company's preferred collision centre made a ridiculous estimate of 4K. I have since gotten another estimate of 1500. car is worth about 2200.


How do you know that $4000 quote is ridiculous? That was likely based on top notch repair quality.
Body work is not like mechanical work in that you simply replace a part. Body work is all about the prep, the cheaper the job the less time they will put into preparing it = less quality final result.

Having said that, on a car that old the $1500 job will likely suffice.

However, if you car was new would you be comfortable in going with the $1500 job over the $4000 job?
If it was coming out of your pocket, maybe. But with insurance footing the bill? DEFINITELY NOT!!!

[colorfulpoet]

My boyfriend works for a mechanic shop. He claims that buy car parts dirt cheap, and end up charging 3 to 4 times as much to install it, so sometimes those auto body shops aren't much better then just doing it yourself. But if insurance is paying for it and it is a newer car, then there is no problem. I am in the same boat with a 98 cavalier I have that just recently got into an accident. It is a dent in left front panel. My dad has the parts and it would be an easy fix. He told me that since autobody shops charge so much, insurance are going to write the car off. I don't want to get rid of the car, because it is really good, and I can't imagine being parted from it. I have to get the damage appraised on the car today, my dad is coming with me, but I want to know if there is a way out of it?

[silenthunder]

Okay,

so this is where I'm at now:

car will cost $1500 to fix.

insurance company said they will offer me 1500 for the car - and charge me 500 dollars to buy it back. (this seems a little low to me...)

after a 500 dollar deductible that means I'm left with 500 bucks to pay for fixing the car, and getting it re-inspected to get 'rebuilt' status.

Trying to talk the insurance company into not branding it 'salvage' and possibly taking a lesser amount to fix it (like a year or so ago) - doubtful if they'll bite this time though.

As for why I'm going through all this - the car is in great shape. I'm going to dispute the offered amount but doubt if I'll get anywhere - the insurance guy keeps on saying they have a formula they use that dictates they need to make some kind of 30% profit at their end which is how they figure out the amount they give me - I keep thinking this sounds shady.

[colorfulpoet]

I would settle for less then 2200 for that car.

[silenthunder]

I would settle for less then 2200 for that car.

yeah 2200 is a far cry from their offer of 1500

[Toolatecrew]

Wow so much arguing when all it takes is a quick google search
"2. When should the vehicle brand be reported?
Insurers must report the vehicle brand to the Ministry of Transportation within six days after acquiring ownership of the severely damaged vehicle or 14 days after the date on which the insurer settles the claim but does not acquire ownership of the vehicle.
http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/vehicle/branding/faq.shtml#a10

No they can't brnad it as salvage if you have not "settled" the claim.

People often use the terms salvage and Total loss vehicle as interchangeable.This is wrong..dead wrong.
Total loss means that the insurance company has determined that the cost to repair is more than the value of the total loss payout minus whatever salvage recovery. So in this instance they say 4 k to repair.

They pay you out 2200 they get the vehicle from you and sell it as salvage to a dealer for roughly 30% (that number is too high but it serves r this purpose) So the insurance company pays you out 2200 gets 600 of that back from the salvage sale so they are out of pocket 1600. that is far less than the 4K cost to repair. Heck t less than HALF of that cost to repair. They are going to total that car. It's likely not even worth 2200 on the market.

They are obligated by law to brand it as salvage once the claim is settled. So while it is not branded as of TODAY its inevitable. It can be branded as repairable and be fixed and re branded rebuilt after certification.

To make a long story short no matter what you do that car is going to get branded. The only things you can negotiate now is how much they give you for the car and how much they want from you to "buy back" the salvage if you want to repair it.

[MS MSP]

You have 2 options:

1. take the offer they made or try to negotiate a better deal by finding comparable models using Auto Trader etc. This may be hard as it's a 1998. Or send invoices for recent work done to increase the value of the car (new tires, etc). The $1500 is the lowest they can offer you under the "basic transportation" description. Any POS is worth at least $1500.

2. take the offer but tell the insurance company you want to keep the "salvage". As Toolatecrew said, you would have to pay whatever the salvage value is ($600 in this case) to the insurance company in order to keep the wreck. You would then have to get the car rebuilt/recertified in order to get it back on the road.

IMHO...not worth it for what the car is worth.

[silenthunder]

thank you to Toolatecrew and MS MSP.

I forgot about new tires etc - will mention these in negotiations.

I spoke to a 'manager' of the guy handling the file. He says there may be a possibility of bypassing the branding. will post more when I hear more.

[1010101010101]

Any update?

[martin3z]

I'm also interested in the result of this?
I'm currently in a similar situation. Insurance was less than upfront about this whole branding thing and they actually let me drive the car for the last 3 weeks after giving me settlement money now all of a sudden its branded salvage and I need a certificate to continue to insure the car... geez.

[Starkicker]

Which insurance company are you with?

A few years ago I got into an accident (my fault) and my minivan was totaled. I bought the van for $18.5K; the insurance said the van was worth $19.5K and/or offered to buy me a replacement vehicle of the same make and model. I took the money and got a smaller car, but I was pretty happy with the settlement.

[martin3z]

I'm with Coseco. My car is worth far less though its more like the OPs situation, 96 bmw. I was rear ended so I was not at fault and the bumper was dislodged and hanging from one side (it did not fall off) I was still able to drive it but it was rubbing the tire. The adjuster said the car was a write off and did not want to pay to fix it was not worth it in their eyes and offered $1500 to write off or $1200 and I keep it, they did not however explain verbally or in writing that it would be come branded salvage. In fact like I said they're only saying this now after 3-4 weeks of me driving the car around like normal. I took it to an indy mechanic and he reattached the bumper after I got 1200. I wanted to know if the OP had any luck bypassing the salvage brand like he was mentioning in his last post here...hopefully he did!

[radiological]

Which insurance company are you with?

A few years ago I got into an accident (my fault) and my minivan was totaled. I bought the van for $18.5K; the insurance said the van was worth $19.5K and/or offered to buy me a replacement vehicle of the same make and model. I took the money and got a smaller car, but I was pretty happy with the settlement.

Did your insurance stay the same?