Car Insurance Claims: Repair, Replacement, and Your Rights

Written By:

l&i lawyer chris sharpe Christopher Sharpe
Home Seattle Personal Injury Attorneys Free Legal Information for WA Car Accidents Car Insurance Claims: Repair, Replacement, and Your Rights

Car repair should be straightforward. A reputable insurance company will want to get your car repair done fairly and quickly. However, many insurance companies want to save money at your expense. At a minimum, you should read this page before you settle your car crash claim, and think about whether any of the following applies to you.

Your car is evidence. If you need that evidence in your case, don’t let the insurance company take it and destroy it. For example, if your car was somehow defective, you may have a product liability claim. If there is a question about the impact’s direction or force, the car is evidence of what happened. If you give your car to the insurance company, you give up the evidence. If you do that, then you lessen the value of your claim.  The same goes for the issues of the amount of impact or who was at fault.

Sometimes, pictures are worth a thousand words. Get pictures of your car, their car, and the crash scene. If this crash is a big deal, then so are the pictures.

You can have your car repaired at the shop of your choice. If the insurance company tells you otherwise, then they are lying.

Your car repair bills or insurance payment for a totaled vehicle may be handled by your insurance company or the other driver’s company. This depends upon the other driver’s liability insurance and available insurance you have, such as collision coverage.

Repair or Replace? This is a frequent question and sometimes a close call. Don’t be too sentimental about these things; make a smart decision. Have the car thoroughly checked out before you start repairs. The insurance company has the option to repair or replace your car. Sometimes, you can influence their decision. Don’t try to repair a car that should be totaled. Don’t sign off on a repair job until you are sure the shop has fixed everything.

You do not have to repair a repairable car.  You can get paid for the value of repairs to your car, keep the money, and not repair your car. Your option.

What was Your Car Worth? The value of your car is its market value just prior to the crash. It doesn’t matter what you paid for your car. If you paid $10,000 for a car with a market value of $3,000, the measure of your loss is the $3,000, the market value.

If you paid $3000 for a car with a market value of $10,000 just before a total loss crash, the measure of your loss is $10,000, the market value.

Salvage Value. A totaled car may still have a salvage value. If you keep a totaled car, the insurance company owes you market value minus salvage value.

Loss of Use. This is the time between the crash and when the insurance company makes you a reasonable offer for your vehicle. That may be the equivalent of your rental car charges. If you did not rent a car, you still have lost the usage of your vehicle for that time period. The insurance company owes you for that.

Meet Our Personal Injury Attorney

Cydney Campbell Webster

Cydney, a shareholder at GLP Attorneys, has been a successful personal injury lawyer since 1993. She specializes in cases in Seattle involving auto accidents, construction site injuries, and defective products. Her track record includes significant settlements, notably a $7 million case for a child injured in a playground incident.

Read More About Cydney Campbell Webster

How to Get A

Free Consultation & Case Evaluation

Consultation Form

Complete the free case evaluation form below.

Get Started

Phone Call

Available:
Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

Email

Send an email message through our contact form.

Send A Message

Schedule an Online Meeting

Schedule a free 30 minute consultation online.

Free Case Evaluation Form

The information you provide to us is private and confidential information. It will not be disclosed to anyone.

Name(Required)
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Where did the injury occur?(Required)
Tell us about your injuries, how you were hurt, and how it affects your life. Tell us about what is on your mind. What can we do for you??
After submitting this form, we will reply to you today or by the next business day.

The Smart Way to Find Out If You Have a Good Case.

Get a free consultation from a personal injury lawyer: Tell us about your concerns, and let us show you smart choices you can make for your claim. At the end of the call, you will have fresh ideas and an action plan, no matter what you decide. You will know that you have taken essential steps to get your claim moving in the right direction. Protect yourself and your injury claim with a free case consultation.

Don't Guess

Don't guess about the value of your claim. Don't compare your claim to someone else's. You are unique. Your facts and your injuries make your case unique. Get an expert opinion about your claim from an experienced personal injury lawyer. Expertise counts, so use it to your advantage. Consultations are free. This free strategy session will help you understand what is happening and what to do.

Are Attorney Consultations Really Free?

Yes, they are free. Because both you and the attorney want to know if your case is any good. A free phone consultation or email gets that figured out quickly. Questions are answered for free, and no time is wasted. Call or email for legal help to determine what is going on with your insurance claim or medical situation and what you should do about it. A free consultation is going to help.