Rennlist - Porsche Discussion Forums - Car was hit... insurance decided total loss

As the title says... car was hit 2 months ago while I was driving home in my subdivision. Little old lady accelerated out of her stop sign right into the drivers side door hinge and fender. I tried to swerve out of the way, but to no avail. She kept right on driving while pushing my car for about 10 ft. All I could do was look at her helplessly while my car slid along the road with her still pressing the accelerator. Eventually, her front bumper fell off, she ran over it, and she stopped her vehicle.

Damage seemed minor, but it's a sweet spot. The driver's door was no longer flush with the A-pillar, the cowl gaps were inconsistent, the fender was smashed, and the passenger tire clipped the passenger fender. The passenger side fender gap was also off, so the hit traveled across the front end to the passenger side. The side skirt was also no longer flush to the fender.

Initially, they were going to total the vehicle for $12,000. Luckily, I've saved my receipts... to the tune of $40,516.30 over the last 10 years in parts alone (Some body work, the vehicle wrap, sean doing the top end, etc is also figured in there). If I charged myself shop labor rates, I'd have $60.5K invested in the car.

So, they had to repair according to state law. We have a 100% value repair requirement... so until the repairs exceed 100% of the value of the car, they must fix the vehicle. Some states move to total loss at 70%, or whaveter. Anyways... about 1.5 months into the job, they were only able to find 3 or 4 of the used parts required for the repair. By law, they must try and find used parts since it's an older car, and they must warranty the parts they use for life. It's a strange policy, I've never heard of. But, that's State Farm in Texas I guess.

Anyways, I checked in on them to see how long it would take to complete, since I was in a Dodge Challenger Hemi rental (like for like vehicle). They said 6 months to 1 year estimate.... I called State Farm to see what they thought about that, given that the rental cost would likely exceed my car's value (whatever that might be, given my receipts). I got a call from the total loss department a few hours later saying they'd take the car and write me a check. No chance for buy-back, unless I bid on it myself at auction. I got a very nice check. Almost $40K, which is more than fair, but considering that I had my receipts nicely documented and cross-referenced into a spreadsheet, it makes sense.

To quote the insurance adjuster... 'This is the number we determined because of your good documentation'.

Moral of the story... SAVE YOUR RECEIPTS, and document EVERYTHING. Put it into a file like I did. I also scanned all the paper receipts and put them into a giant PDF. See attached for the spreadsheet.

I could have sold the car for around $25K on a good day. It needed new driveshaft bearings, and a torque converter bearing. The transmission occasionally slipped going from 3rd to 4th... and a replacement spring did not resolve that. It only happened about once or twice a month. Nothing to cause worry. Other than that, the engine was solid and well maintained. EVERYTHING worked on the car. The HVAC system was cold. There was barely a part on the car that hadn't been replaced during my ownership. Even the interior was in excellent shape, save for a growing crack on the dash near the glovebox and windshield vents, and a small crack from hard leather on the passenger seat. The car even had a brand new green-glass windshield imported from Germany.

If anyone is interested in bidding on the car, it's listed here: https://www.copart.com/lot/39071349/

I can hand over all my documentation of the car's history to whomever becomes the new owner. I'm sure that word will travel for wherever it ends up. It's pretty unique.

Here's some of the notable parts on the car:

Engine/drivetrain:

40k miles on timing belt
40k miles on PorKen belt tensioning system
40k miles on Water Pump
New 928 Motorsports Radiator
New Greg Brown Fuel Lines
New Volvo Solid Motor Mounts
New Air Filter
New MAF
New fuel pump and filter
Smog Pump Delete
New oil pressure sender
New oil pan gasket
Oil pan stud kit
Only Mobile 1 15W/50 oil used (correct ZDDP content in oil)
New Transmission Gasket/Fluid
928 Docs Top end engine refresh (Sean also replaced subassemblies on the manifold)
New LH ECU module
928 Docs front engine harness
Stainless X-pipe
Stainless RMB

Steering/Suspension:

New (Reman) ZIMS Porsche steering rack
Delrin Rack Bushings
New Tie Rods and ends
New Lower Ball Joints
928MS tow hook skid plates
New Steering Pump
New Steering Fluid Housing/Filter
New Power Steering lines
10K miles on Rear Tires (Michelin Pilot A/S sport)
Mile Miglia Cup 3 Wheels (some curb rash on right 2 wheels)
Stoptech slotted rotors front/back
Stainless Steel brake lines
Refurbished e-brake cable system
Refurbished ABS sensors system
928MS tow hook skid plates

Electrical:

New Battery
New Positive cable from battery to starter
New Alternator
New Ground Straps (all)
New Porsche Spark Plug Wires

HVAC:

New AC Compressor, Condenser, pressure switches
All HVAC diaphragms replaced
New HVAC blower motor
New cabin temp sensor
Refurbished HVAC head unit

Interior/Appearance:

Pristine dash pod (no cracks at all)
Green Glass windshield imported from Germany
GTS windshield gaskets
LED gauge and button bulbs
Powder coated intake/valve covers
Isotta Strada Steering Wheel
Paul Champagne black leather shifter boot
Push to shift manual-appearance shift knob
New Bob Budd carpet kit (black)
Reconditioned seats (Champagne, or camel??? Can't remember color name. Passenger seat bottom has leather crack)
Neoprene hood liner with silver Porsche logo
Custom Wide body Spoiler (very similar to jacquemond)
AIR side skirts
Alpine Stereo Head Unit with spare tire subwoofer (all speakers original and working great)
All factory booklets intact (including relay booklet)
3 years old 3M Blue Raspberry metallic vehicle wrap (jambs included)
Clear euro corners
Hella 007424801 twin horns
I'm sure there's more.....

I have some remaining parts to sell. Anyone interested?

Rebuilt Torque Tube with 25mm shaft (Shaft needs to be re-set in the bearings) - $200
Stock Muffler - $150
Stock exhaust B-pipe with catalytic converters - $400
2x large square speakers with grilles (excellent condition) - $50 ea.
Used air filter in good condition - $20
New oil filter - $10