Auto insurance appraisal

[d3vi@nt]

Does anyone have any specific insight into how this works, aside from the bending over part?

I'm trying to decide whether to add comp/collision to my currently hail damaged car. KBB private party lists it in the neighborhood of $3k. As it sits, I suspect an adjuster would total it but I have no idea how they value vehicles, other than reportedly very low.

The car is an '04 Subaru Outback with around 110k miles. Clutch was rebuilt not too long ago when the head gaskets were replaced. We've had it since 11k on the clock and kept it up to date on all maintenance, so it should keep kicking for quite a while. The hail damage is superficial, but we can't garage it and it will likely get hailed on again (probably every year).

It's our second car and mostly sits in the driveway, but comes in handy enough we want to keep it.

Interested in any feedback on damage appraisal.

TIA

[ducpainter]

It's not up to the individual adjuster. It's all about the company. Used car values are a pretty standard part of the equation.

They don't care about maintenance.

Just my perspective, but if it's a second car that's useful, why would you even take the chance of the IC taking it? You won't come close to getting the real value of the car. That said, if the salvage value of the car is low, and the insurance value high, sometimes you can make out.

[d3vi@nt]

I only referenced maintenance as a factor in its (hopeful) longevity.

I guess that's why I'm trying to get a better understanding of the insurance appraisal method. If we pay $500 annually for comp/collision with a $1k deductible and the adjuster values the car at $1500, 1) it will be easily totaled, and 2) it doesn't pencil out. If they appraise it in the $3-$5k range, which isn't totally unrealistic, it makes a bit more sense.

[ducpainter]

The adjuster doesn't value the car. Those numbers are set by NADA/Bluebook then the insurance companies put their make the beast with two backs the customer twist on the equation.

You can get the NADA/Bluebook numbers online for a nominal cost.

[Duck-Stew]

Given the info in the first post, I wouldn’t bother full coverage.