KLVA

You should get an attorney right away....There is a guy in Baltimore that has a black '88 S4 here on RL , met him in Oct at Frenzy..He is CourtShark here on Rennlist..also it looks like just the same thing that happened to my '91 GT in PA. which is why I have it now,yet I am sure Kevin Michael can do a perfect job on what looks like a fender , front clip, lights maybe ABS , wheel skirt, etc. You have gotta fight these guys and NOT let them total it...just pay a fair amount for the repairs.

Hilton

Total loss is based on a percentage of value of the car.

You need to find reliable sources of information to present them with to adjust the value of the car upwards, so that even if the car is a total loss, the money you get will buy a car of similar condition (cosmetic and mechanical).

Dig up a copy of Excellence magazine's 928 market update - it shows low-high values for 928's of each year and will give you a decent shot at splitting the difference between the two, as an independent source of reliable porsche 928 information.

SeanR

Must be a bad day for '88's.......Mine just got hit in the front by the back of a Dodge Dually. Sitting at a stop light he decides he needs to back up in to my space.......

Courtshark

For the record:

1) this sucks.

2) dealing with the state of Maryland sucks more in terms of the insane levels of bureaucracy you will have to wade through to convince the right person that $5500 ain't gonna cut it

3) while I am an attorney, and I own a very similar car, I can't help you, though I'd love to. I work for the Justice Department; I can't take most outside cases (there are extremely limited exceptions) and especially not one against a state.

4) But I'd get an attorney; just not me. Personally I would not let them total the car over this.

jcorenman

I am really bummed to read this, and yours also Sean!

I guess I have a simple-minded view these kinds of problems: If you had broken it yourself, then fixing it yourself would be the right thing to do. And also good therapy.

But you didn't break it, somebody else did. They didn't have any help breaking it, they did it all by themselves (in broad daylight for crissakes!). And they are 100% responsible for un-breaking it. (And you don't need the therapy).

So I think your position is simple: You want your car, or something equivalent, sitting in that same parking place, in exactly the same condition as when you left it.
Or, if that is not possible, then a car that is as close to the same as possible, with compensation for any differences.
And until that is accomplished, you need another car of equal utility along with compensation for the indignity of having to drive a piece of crap rental car.

Remember: You didn't do this. You weren't even there. Some other dude did it, and it is up to them (or their employer) to make it right. It's only fair, and it's what you would do for them. (Repeat as needed).

Dec 2009 issue of Excellence: '88 S4 low: $10257, high: $15613
Order a copy here: http://www.excellence-mag.com/back_issues.php)

But that's only a number, what you want is your car in its original condition, or the equivalent. If it is nice then it might easily cost them more. Not your problem.

And as much as it pains me, I have to agree on the advice from kevbolacy to retain a lawyer. It's unlikely that the state will see things your way, and they certainly have lawyers somewhere on their side. What you are looking for is a "junkyard dog" (that's a legal term I think). Not the sort of person you would ever invite home, but a smart aggressive lawyer who will remain tightly focused on your interests and see things in simple back and white. Don't worry about the hourly rate, with the right person it won't take long.

Good luck, and please keep us posted. Because there but for happenstance go any of us...

inactiveuser1

Go to NADA classic car section then to passenger cars and the link shows
http://www.nadaguides.com/default.as...&z=21401&da=-1
$11,300 to $16,800


Anyone else should have their cars appraised and covered by your insurance company for cases like that I have mine insured as shown under Addition information
Vehicle value 28k on 1987

Steve Martin

I would find a female attorny, one who owns a porsche aswell would be great(a 928 owner would be the bomb). And then fight to the death, if need be.......

fraggle

He's not trying to find a date, he's trying to get his car fixed.

mcholdfast

For what it's worth, Geico valued my 90 S4 at $17,600 when it got wet in the recent Ga. floods. The adjuster's first words were that it was probably totalled but once he got the value report back he changed his tune since the damage was minimal.

kccampro

Kevin does great work by the way, he's done great work for several Rennlisters. Sory to hear about the accident... and why the hell does your insurer think it's a total loss. That's very frustrating.

hacker-pschorr

I would go for a full settlement and buy the car back then have Kevin fix it.
This does not automatically mean a salvage title. I've done this twice and ended up with cars with clear titles. It's up to the adjuster.

The sad part is, no matter how good the work is, the car has dropped in value unless you never disclose to the next owner about the wreck (don't give me the BS about Carfax) assuming you can wiggle your way from a salvage title.

porsche 928 RI

if it was a state truck that hit you, you just hit the jackpot!!!! get a lawyer.... btw who is youre inshurance provider?

DonT

Sorry to hear about the incident. Hopefully it will work out OK.

Kevin has an excellent reputation for repair work.

Want to be

Insurance companies usually want to use new parts versus used. This will rise any repair bill. You must also consider insurance companies is a business. Don't except their offer to you until its what you want.

Future Insurance notes, You need to find a insurance company who allows you to tell them the cars value. I also wanted an agent who was a car nut. I was luck enough to find both.

Good luck on your repair. Nice color combo

James Bailey

If it were only so simple.....I would "declare " the old very brown 1980 as being worth $50,000 I would not worry so much the NEXT time I drive off turn nine at Willow at about 100 mph The points about Fair , being made whole , comparable listings, replace the car ......real world Insurance companies look at Actual Cash Value and for every high for sale add you find they find two low ones or arbitrarily state that is an ASKING price and should be DISCOUNTED to what it might really sell for. If your car is full coverage You can deal with YOUR insurance company and reach a settlement that the OTHER insurance company will pay ( state is no doubt different) If you carry only liability and someone else hits you ....YOU not your insurance company must negotiate with the other guys insurance company and you have no leverage , no friend , no long term business relationship.