Can a Body Shop Total My Car?
I was rear-ended while having PLPD insurance in Michigan, and I’m attempting to pursue a mini tort claim to recover up to $3000 from the at-fault driver. I’m in the process of getting an estimate from a body shop, but I’m wondering if the slightly caved-in bottom and back of my trunk qualifies as frame damage. The car drives smoothly, and the alignment is spot on. The only damage is where the spare tire sits and around the trunk lid, which I’ve temporarily ziptied. The trunk lid will obviously need replacement, and the crash bar has shifted from its original position.
My car’s market value is around $3000 (I purchased it for $2900), so if the repair costs exceed $3000 and the insurance totals it, will I end up with a salvage title, making it impossible to register the car again?
I also want to be clear that I’m not planning to buy another vehicle. The current process of buying used cars is incredibly frustrating, and my car has been running perfectly for the past three years without any mechanical issues since I bought it.
It sounds like you’re in a bit of a tough situation, but let’s break this down. In Michigan, if the cost to repair your vehicle exceeds its actual cash value (ACV) – which in your case is around $3,000 – the insurance company may declare it a total loss. This does not automatically mean you will get a salvage title; that depends on the extent of the damage and the insurance company’s policies.
Frame Damage vs. Total Loss: It’s important to distinguish between frame damage and being totaled. Frame damage can indeed affect whether a vehicle is deemed totaled, but the key factor is the cost of repairs versus the car’s value. Even if your vehicle drives fine, if the estimates for repairs come in high enough, it could be totaled.
Salvage Title: If the car is totaled and the insurance company pays you out, they may issue a salvage title if the damage is significant enough. However, if you choose to keep the car after it’s totaled, you might be able to get it repaired and then possibly retitled, depending on state laws and the extent of the damage.
Dealing with Repairs: Since you’re looking to repair the car, be sure to get detailed estimates from body shops. Sometimes, even if the initial estimate is over $3,000, insurance companies look at the overall condition and market value of the car when determining if it should be totaled.
Mini-Tort Claim: With your mini-tort claim, if repairs exceed $3,000, you could still pursue compensation for the repairs, but if the car is totaled and you receive a payout, you typically cannot claim repairs as part of the mini-tort.
Overall, stay in close contact with the body shop and your insurance company to understand all your options. It sounds like you’re attached to your car, and hopefully, you’ll be able to keep it without too much hassle!