If you are in a car accident in Utah, few things can make your heart sink as much as receiving an offer from the auto insurance company that is much less than you feel your car is worth. When the insurance company decides to pay you for your vehicle rather than repair it, you have a totaled car or a total loss vehicle.

You may find yourself in a rough spot if your car is considered a totaled car in Utah because of an auto accident. If you purchased the car by getting a loan, there is a chance you still owe money on the loan. Also, unless you drive a second car, you will probably be in a hurry to replace the damaged car. It can be frustrating when the offer from the insurance company is not sufficient to cover the outstanding loan amount or replace your car. However, there are a few things that you can do to ensure that the auto insurance company is giving you a fair offer on your totaled car.

Step 1: Find Comparable Cars That Support A Higher Amount for Your Totaled Car In Utah.

You need to show the insurance company what the true value of your totaled car in Utah is. Sometimes insurance companies base their offer on computer models that say what your car should be worth, using data that is inappropriate according to the Utah code.

How to Do It:

• Find similar cars that are being sold close to you to show the true cost of replacing your totaled car.
• Start by visiting websites such as com, cars.com, and ksl.com.
• Search for cars that are the same year, make, and model as your totaled car.
• Ensure the trim level is the same and the mileage is similar.
• Consider geographic distance – look for listings within a fifty to one hundred mile radius.

Additional Considerations:

• If you have difficulty finding comparable cars due to the age or specialization of your totaled car in Utah, you can:
  • Search for cars sold further away.
  • Look for cars of the same make and model from different, but similar, years.

 

Step 2: Do Not Forget Custom Equipment

Many times the offer made by insurance companies is low because they have not accounted for custom equipment or recent work done on your totaled car.

●      Action Steps:

• Ensure the insurance company is aware of any custom additions or adjustments made to your totaled car.
• Show the value of your custom equipment by:
  • Submitting receipts from your purchases.
  • Providing ads or evidence showing the added value.
• Include:
  • Obvious custom work like body modifications, expensive stereo equipment, or expensive wheels.
  • Recent upgrades such as new tires.
• Note that necessary repairs to keep your car running do not increase its value.

 

Step 3: Submit Your Findings To The Insurance Company

Present Your Evidence:

• Once you have gathered listings of comparable cars, submit only those that support a higher value for your totaled car in Utah.
• You need to act as an advocate for your position – the insurance companies have plenty of resources to find car values, so you don’t need to do all the work for them.

What to Include in Your Submission:

• Comparable car listings with:
  • VIN numbers.
  • Descriptions of the cars.
• Receipts for any custom equipment.
• A summary of what you believe your totaled car is worth.

Additional Tips:

• Consider preparing a summary page that includes:
  • The value of each individual car listing.
  • The total average value of all the cars (by adding their asking prices and dividing by the number of listings).
• Ensure the calculated average is higher than the insurance company’s offer.
• Double-check your math and remove any listings that might lower the average.
• Include a section that details the individual amounts and total added value of your custom equipment if applicable.

Final Thoughts

You do not need to accept the first amount the insurance company offers you for your totaled car in Utah. The insurance company will try to get you to accept the lowest possible offer. Insurance companies are in the business of making money and they do this partially by paying less on claims. Do your research to find the true value of your car by searching for similar cars being sold in your area. If those listings show that your car is worth more, present the evidence to the insurance company! Also, don’t forget to include the value of custom equipment you have added to your totaled car. Presenting evidence of your car’s true value to the insurance company can ensure that you are correctly compensated for the value of your totaled car in Utah.

Here at Symco Injury Law Group, we assist our clients with their property damage or car damage claim for free when we handle our clients’ personal injury claims, subject to some limitations. Contact us today for more details, as we would love to see what we can do to help you out with your totaled car and your associated personal injury claim.

Please keep in mind that oftentimes your personal injury claim can be worth far more than your property damage claim, depending on your injuries and the amount of your medical bills. Therefore, we always recommend that you consult with an attorney, including us, whenever you have been injured in a car accident in Utah.

Call us today for a free consultation at 801-738-9999. We look forward to seeing what we can do to help you out!