Totaled?

[MTdiehard]

Some do offer replacement cost if it’s a newer car. Otherwise insurance company will do research and look at recent sales. Clearly her fault so her company will no doubt lowball it. Plus he can recover some funds for pain and suffering, assuming she even has insurance. In some cases both of them can be insured by the same company and that gets real tricky

Michigan is unusual. It has a strong no-fault law that provides a very generous first-party medical benefit. Part of the trade off for that generosity is that their law bars recovery for pain and suffering unless it is a serious injury. My bruises won't clear that hurdle, so I don't have any path to getting a settlement for pain and suffering.

Michigan also has a unique law regarding collision losses. Essentially, if you want coverage for damage to your car, you have to buy collision coverage. Even if the other driver is at fault, you can't recover your collision loss from them or their insurance company. It seems strange compared to other states, but that's the way it works there. The upshot is I only deal with my insurance company on this claim.

 

[sonny200]

Late to this discussion but glad to hear you & everyone else involved is OK. Super glad your insurance company is doing you right by providing you with replacement cost.

The racer in me can't help but think about all the possibilities of your totaled vehicle. I imagine the engine can be easily transplanted to a lessor/cheap GM product that can be made into a race/HPDE car, etc. You could salvage the wheels, replace the one destroyed & have an extra set of wheels. Again, just imagine the possiblities!

Many, many years ago, I had a Mazda Miata that I had modified that included almost the entire Flyin' Miata catalogue in it. I crashed & totaled it at VIR. My insurance company covered me completely & gave me enough so I could get a replacement Miata. I did that & also bought back my totaled vehicle directly from the insurance company. I transplanted all the "go fast" parts to the replacement Miata & then used the wrecked one for replacement parts. I would use them for myself or sell them to fellow racers who needed parts.

 

[brewski]

Michigan is unusual. It has a strong no-fault law that provides a very generous first-party medical benefit. Part of the trade off for that generosity is that their law bars recovery for pain and suffering unless it is a serious injury. My bruises won't clear that hurdle, so I don't have any path to getting a settlement for pain and suffering.

Michigan also has a unique law regarding collision losses. Essentially, if you want coverage for damage to your car, you have to buy collision coverage. Even if the other driver is at fault, you can't recover your collision loss from them or their insurance company. It seems strange compared to other states, but that's the way it works there. The upshot is I only deal with my insurance company on this claim.

having a car totaled by a guy hitting me and having to deal with his insurance company, I love the idea that I would only deal with my company. If they don't handle it well then they will lose a customer.