neighbors car was in an accident

[Tractorat]

My neighbor was in an accident the other day. Did about $8k damage to his car. It was the other guys fault. He says the insurance company will make it brand new. The problem is the air bags deployed. Ive always heard that if they deploy, it devalues the car for the rest of its life. It will be flagged on car fax etc so he wont get nearly as much if he trades it in, sells it, etc.

Does anyone know if insurance companies compensate for devaluation ? If they do, do you have any idea how they figure out the dollar amount ? I told my neighbor that someone on the tdr would surely know the answer. :-laf

 

[DonFitzwater]

My insurance agent just told me that if the airbag deployed, its almost always totaled.

 

[Wayne M.]

My nephew was involved in a head on 02 explorer his vs. similar vintage escalade. (They're ok) his bags deployed. His car was totaled. I hope your neighbors are ok. Insurance claims are like clouds in the sky- all different.

 

[Larry Willard]

Google diminished value and find a inspector that deals with it in your area and they should be able to give you all the information you need.

Larry

 

[TJJEEPER]

It's amazing how insurance can screw you!
On my '06 someone tried to break in. They tried to break both the drivers side and passenger side windows. Of course they are safety glass and they didn't shatter as the thief had expected. The insurance adjuster turned it into CarFax as an accident. When I went to trade it in they wanted to devalue my truck. Luckily I had all the paperwork for that incident in the glove box. Had I known I would have contested the CarFax before the fact.

Anybody that gets a CarFax will try to devalue your friends vehicle when he tries to sell or trade-in.

 

[Tractorat]

I saw it towed off today. Ill be curious to see what happens. I didnt think it looked that bad, but what do I know. I think he's still making payments on it. If they do total it, I wonder how that would work.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

I'd never buy a vehicle that had a airbag deployment history

 

[Tractorat]

Dont think I would either, but only because Ive heard others say that. If the car is rebuilt, Im not sure what the problem is (due to my lack of mechanical expertise ) :-laf