Any accident attorney will tell you that insurance companies have specific guidelines on how they determine the value of a vehicle after a crash. While much depends on your policy and the extent of the coverage you carry, there are some factors that insurers almost always use to determine a dollar amount. To help shed more light on this issue, here are some commonly asked questions about how an insurer comes up with a vehicle's value after a car accident, as well as how an accident attorney can help after a vehicle crash.

Answers to Common Questions About Vehicle Value After an Accident

What are the factors that determine value?

In most situations, the insurer will compare what it would cost to fix the car to the cash value of the vehicle. If the repair cost exceeds the cash value, the insurance company will likely consider the vehicle totaled. With a totaled vehicle, an insurance adjuster will conduct an appraisal and assign a dollar amount to the car; the appraisal doesn't consider the damage done in the accident. The insurance company will then bring in an outside, third-party appraiser to do their own evaluation. Then, the insurer will consider both appraisals before making you an offer.

What should I do if the vehicle was appraised too low?

First, understand that you may have room to negotiate a better offer. If you still have the window sticker from when you purchased the car, show it to the adjuster. If you don't have it, contact the dealership where you bought the car; they may still have a copy on file. It's not unheard of for an adjuster to reconsider and negotiate a higher amount once they see the sticker price in black and white.

Is an insured driver entitled to a rental car after an accident?

If the accident was not the driver’s fault, they can file a claim with the responsible party's insurer and request a rental car; this doesn't always happen right away, however, and a driver may have to pay the costs up front and be reimbursed later by the other party's insurer. If you have auto insurance that includes rental car coverage, then you most certainly have a right to utilize it and obtain a rental after an accident.

How can an accident attorney help?

An accident attorney understands how to deal with insurance companies. Insurers will sometimes employ whatever tactics necessary to avoid paying you what you are owed. An attorney will handle all communication and negotiation with them, so not only does the claim have more legal weight, but you can be confident that all laws are being followed and your interests protected.

Knowing some basics of how insurers value cars post-accident can help you make the right decisions for your claim. When it comes time to hire an accident attorney, trust Schnurr Law Firm, P.C. For over 30 years, he has been representing Webster County, IA, in accidents, personal and work injuries, and wrongful death lawsuits. Call (515) 576-3911 or visit him online to set up your free initial consultation.