so someone nailed my mom's 325ci last night. her airbag went off and it *looks* like her front left support beam is bent back. it was unclear whether or not the engine had any damage. i understand that when damage is 70% of the current price of the car, most insurance companies total it. we want the car totaled due to its current high value (only 31,000 miles when it should have about 45,000) and the fact that it's likely to have problems the rest of its life no matter how well its fixed. besides the 70% thing, what else can forcibly cause it to be considered a total?

 

bump....

 

bump...

 

help...anyone?

 

id say to some extent airbags deploying. but alot of it could also count from the chasis being bent.

 

Post pics, 70% is low for a total, it is usualy about 80% of value. Get a good reference from a friend of a good body shop in your area, go directly to the manager. Discuss your situation with him/her. They will be able to tell you if it possible to total the car. A good estimater can make anything happen if it is within reason.

Hope everyone is okay and best of luck!

 

great idea, thank you! ill have my mechanic head over to see the car with me so he can do his own damage assesment. it would probably need about $20k in damage...i found out today only the front steering wheel airbag went off...so no passenger side but if the support beam is bent i think ill be in good shape....best case scenario the engine would be screwd up too...