[gavinl]

Hi all, my car just got side-swiped by a truck and looks like it's going to be a total loss.

I read about the procedures on total loss being declared by insurers but cannot find one about whether I have time to remove my aftermarket parts like stereo, wheels, etc.

Anyone with experience to share? I have about 48hrs before an assessor comes to see my car and should I wait or remove the aftermarket stuff now?

 

[sabledale]

My brother has state farm and when he totaled his taurus they would not give him anything extra for after market produces such as a deck or wheels. I would call your insurance company and ask if that stuff is factored into a totaled vehicle. If they say no, I would start swapping the old parts back on it.

 

[henrysel]

Typically they won't pay for most aftermarket parts so I would take them off and put the factory ones on. You just can't take the aftermarket stuff off unless you have the original factory items to put back on.

In the case of stereo or wheels, that may be covered depending on the insurance. I know if your car gets stolen and you have the receipt for the stereo, you're sometimes covered up to a certain dollar amount. Also tires that are within a year are also sometimes covered. I guess it all boils down to what you have for insurance. Stuff like a K&N air filter they probably won't cover. It's one thing people don't keep in mind when they do a lot of mods to their car, it's tough to get the insurance to pay more than book value.

 

[gavinl]

Ok, I'm gonna replace whatever stock stuff I have till the assessor gets here. So far I can replace the wheels, stereo and air filter back to stock. That's probably the bulk of my aftermarket stuff <_<

 

[medicTA]

If a citizen, news people, police ect. took any pictures and your wheels don't match, the ins. company may acuse you of tampering and deny any claim.
If it's possible there are pictures or detailed inventories of the cars at the accident scene (usually) I would call the ins. company and ask if you can keep the wheels and have them fax you back authorization.
Something to think about.

 

[Guest]

Originally posted by medicTA@Feb 26 2004, 12:33 AM
If a citizen, news people, police ect. took any pictures and your wheels don't match, the ins. company may acuse you of tampering and deny any claim.
If it's possible there are pictures or detailed inventories of the cars at the accident scene (usually) I would call the ins. company and ask if you can keep the wheels and have them fax you back authorization.
Something to think about.

This is a very good point. I would have to recommend the same thing.

Do you have anything in mind to replace your car if it does turn out to be a total loss? another bull?

Good luck, I hope everything works out OK for you.

 

[gavinl]

Well I've removed the wheels and stereo. Don't think there were pictures taken during the accident as the cops just came and cited the other party and we changed location as the accident was on the freeway and we were pulled to a nearby parking lot by the cop for the accident report.

We'll see what the assessor say about the damages and repair possibility.

If loss, another bull (taurus or sable) will be in my shopping list and it has to be a WAGON!