We had a car recently totaled for rodent damage. Before it could be totaled some wiring was replaced. For simplicity, assume the attempted repairs cost 25% of the total value.
is it normal/usual for the insurance company to deduct those repair costs from the final payout? They did pay the shop for the work. There was no option to do the work or not as the preliminary work had to be done to know if the big bad ugly issue was, in fact, the issue. It’s an old car and the parts damaged are no longer available and the work to install would vastly outstrip the car value. We agree with the totaling, but it feels a little bit unfair that we were required to repair it and then also had to eat those costs.
I would say that I’ve never heard of that. But then I’ve never had a car totaled for something like rodent damage.
Once had a mouse die in the heating ducts. The repair shop told us to drive around with the windows open and the mouse would dry up and the smell would go away.
It seems like if the car was worth $1000 on the day you contacted them, and they totaled it, you should get $1000. They wouldn’t deduct for having it towed from an accident or for the cost of removing the tree if a branch fell on it. I’d question it.
Logically, it makes no sense for them to be able to deduct anything from the cost of the car if it is agreed to be totaled. I also agree that if you can’t get them to be reasonable, I’d contact your state insurance commissioner and also find a new insurer going forward!
Rodent damage is common for vehicles that haven’t moved. Think a manufacturers vehicles sitting at the yard. Or a van used for promotional purposes by a private fleet or a sporting event that a manufacturer holds onto - before finally selling it to a dealership at a discount.
Rodent damage will be covered by comprehensive insurance.
Because everyone’s policy is different - you need to check your specific policy.
You know every year when you renew, you get like 10 pages of here are the changes.
So go online and your policy will be there. Or you’ll have a paper copy.
But no one can truly answer you.
But rodent damage is unfortunately an every day occurence - if cars aren’t moving.
I drive my car every single day. I had a rodent who smoldered on my manifold. I’m lucky the car didn’t catch on fire. The car was not totaled but my insurance paid for the tow to the dealership where the whole engine department was checked for damage.
This isn’t something that happens only to cars that sit around.
But to you point in the OP. I would think the dealership would pay you the full worth of the car.
If not specifically outlined in your policy, do you have an insurance broker that might better know what is valid or not? You may also need to discuss (argue) with the adjustor. We had a car totaled. The adjuster gave us a detailed outline of the car’s value, noting numerous very small “scratches” on the body (it was over 10 years old), in an attempt to downgrade the value. But, he failed to note the “big picture” items, such as the higher (more expensive) trim or model of car. It wasn’t until I argued that he admitted they missed that!
It is such a joy when a company stands behind their product or service, and no negotiation is needed. Unfortunately it is becoming more rare.
I’ve had two experiences with totaled cars (thanks to H.) In both cases, our insurance company had the cars towed, inspected and repairs attempted before declaring them totaled. We were paid what we believed was the full fair market value of each one, with no deduction for the repair costs.
I would push back on being charged the repair costs if there’s any hope of recovering them.
Good news- the adjuster to whom I was speaking had never actually totaled a car before with this sort of claim- where the insurance company paid bills, but the repairs were ultimately unsuccessful.
The supervisory or payout team (not sure which) reviewed the amounts and did not deduct the repairs. The adjuster was simply mistaken.
