Black Tuesday

About 5:45 this morning I wrecked my Miata. Driving in the inside lane on 161 it had just stopped raining. Topped a hill and the car in front of me swerved over into the middle lane. Up ahead was a wreck with a Nissan Titan sitting sideways in my lane. I didnt have much time to react. Cars were in the lane to my right. The retaining wall was to my left. All I could think of doing was trying to stop which unfortunately, i couldnt do. Damage to the front bumper cover, hood, and driver's side front fender. I was able to slow down quite a bit. The air bag didnt deploy but I can't imagine they will pay to fix it and will probably total it. 68k miles and absolutely perfect condition. I'm sick to my stomach still. No pictures, I didnt feel like taking any at the time. I have no idea yet if my insurance will say I am at fault or not. The truck I hit apparently must have hydroplained, and hit a car. Other than the king-shit size dent I put in his door, I could only see that his front end must have smacked the other car or something. I never did understand why he didnt have his truck out of traffic and off the road. It didnt seem like it would have been undrivable until after I hit it.

Sorry to hear that Alan, but glad you're OK. Hope it all works out for the best.

Sorry about the car. Glad you're not hurt.

Yeah, no injuries other than my pride. I really have grown attached to that car.

Let Rogue (Stevan) take a look at it before you write it off.

I had a hit in the front left corner that killed the fender and bumper cover. Rogue fixed me up.

So, how does that work if they want to total the car you just say "No thanks, I'll keep it." then have someone like Rogue do the repair?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by AlanP1964

So, how does that work if they want to total the car you just say "No thanks, I'll keep it." then have someone like Rogue do the repair?

---

They write you a check for the difference between salvage value and their valuation.

Unfortunately I have lots of experience with this. ::Rant:: I assume you own the car out right. Lien holders make it a completely different ball of wax.

If X dollars is their determined value of the car and they consider it totaled at some arbitrary percentage of the value. (Depends on Ins. Co.) Let's say the total percentage is 80%.

So if total is 80% of the value of X and they determine to repairs to exceed that, tell the adjuster under no circumstances do I want this car totaled. They will write you a check for say, 79% of the value and the title never changes hand. Do not ever give them the title. DMV knows nothing so there is no extra paper work like a re-builders title, etc...

Then buy some used OEM parts and have a good body guy repair the damage. GregW on this forum does good work from what I've seen. Don't let his employer (MAACO) scare you off. A good body man is a good body man regardless of where he works. As mentioned, Rogue at Miata Solutions does EXCELLENT work but he is not fast. He stays busy and in fact, my other Miata is waiting for his services patiently. ;)

There is lots more I could say so feel free to call or text me at too won fore - seven oh 7 - nine won one two

I've been there and I know what your going through but you and your Miata can survive this.

William

I do own it outright. That's the thing, I only paid $1500 for it and it's in fantastic mechanical condition. I would hate to give it up for dead if it can be fixed. The insurance is USAA. They are sending someone to Service King to look at it. The rep at Service King is supposed to send me pictures of the damage. I should have done that myself but I wasnt thinking real clearly this morning.

Keep us posted. Call me if you have any ?'s

This kind of thing gives me nightmares.

Does anyone here have an agreed value insurance policy. I've been looking into them, but haven't found much for cars that aren't "weekend only" drivers.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dudley Dawson

This kind of thing gives me nightmares.

Does anyone here have an agreed value insurance policy. I've been looking into them, but haven't found much for cars that aren't "weekend only" drivers.

---

I think I recall a discussion in the V8 Conversion section of Miata.net.

Awesome!

Go on take the money and run!

If X dollars is their determined value of the car and they consider it totaled at some arbitrary percentage of the value. (Depends on Ins. Co.) Let's say the total percentage is 80%.


William, state law determines the percentage..........not the insurance company. We are 50 different countries when it comes to title and insurance laws...ask me how I know.