Well, a car won't be totalled until it hits 70% of book value. If a 2001 had $13000 of damage to it, it wouldn't have been totalled. Actually, if it was early on, it probably could have been up to $15k.
Say Joe wrecks his GT. Joe brings the GT to Discount Auto Body. Discount does all the work, and bills Joe's insurance company. Since the vehicle isn't totalled, and there was no lapse in coverage, the insurance company isn't going to report the problem to Ford. The accident and claims information is considered of a personal nature, and according to the insurance companies, if the repair is made properly, there is no value loss to the car.
The tide is turning on that thought. State Farm just lost a huge lawsuit in GA over that. The state alleged that no matter how small the repair to the car was, the vehicle will never be worth as much as one that has never been through an accident. Etc etc.
Anyway, the dealer took the car back, so I'm out. Read, "Finally done."
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