[dfo34]

I was rear ended at a stoplight and the insurance company wants to total my vehicle because the repair will cost a few hundred dollars more than the blue book value of my car, how can I make them repair my car and put me whole again?

[tickle]

You post does not explain your settlement. What options are they giving you if they right off your car? Are they giving you money towards another car of comparable value according to the blue book price ?

They have made their decision and I don't think you can sway it other then telling them you want your car back and you will pay the damages.

[dfo34]

They want to give me the book value of my car and that is not enough to cover the repairs. All I want is my vehicle the way it was before they rear ended me.

[Fr_Chuck]

Often the book value is all you can get. Even if you owe more for it, and/or it costs more to repair. Perhaps you can find another shop that will do it within that price, talk to the repair shop and see if they will fix it for the money to be given, If they know they won't get to fix it, unless they come down in price.

[froggy7]

They are making you whole by paying you the value of the damaged property. Theoretically, you should be able to go buy an equivalent car for what they will give you. Now, if it's going to cosy a few hundred more to fix the car, and you would rather chip in the extra money to do so, they aren't going to stop you. I don't know how that will affect your insurance rates, if at all. After all, if you bought an equivalent car and insured it with them, they would have to pay you if that one got wrecked, so they may be willing to cover you in yours if you get it fixed.

[tickle]

However, he is gong to be severely out of pocket if there is a car loan to repay.

[twinkiedooter]

Unfortunately insurance does not work the way you think it should. The insurance company only pays for the "book value" of the vehicle and not a cent more. The insurance company essentially is making you "whole" again, but on their terms. You didn't state the age or condition of your vehicle. Regardless of the age or condition, once you drive it off the dealer's lot, it's essentially a used car and not worth what you paid for it brand new. I know it's a hard pill to swallow, but insurance companies have to draw the line somewhere and they did just that many years ago. Sometimes insurance companies offer much less to repair a vehicle than what the owner feels it's worth. If there is a tremendous discrepancy in the money they are offering and what the car would cost to repair (some vehicles depending on where and how damaged are never going to be the same once they are repaired) it might be a good idea to just purchase another vehicle that has not been in an accident and junk the car that was in the accident. You could consult with an attorney on this if you feel the insurance company is trying to take advantage of you.