[s-cars] insurane claim on paint jobe - They want to charge me depreciaiton of 25%

[stefan13 at att.net]

I have limited experience on paint jobs, but some with insurance companies.
Depreciation does make sense.  If the paint job as newly repainted is 25%
better than before the loss, then they will deduct that amount.  By analogy,
if the insurance company was replacing a tire on your car because of a
covered accident, it would not pay for a new tire unless the torn tire was
new.  In general, they are obligated to return you to the position you were
before the loss.  My buddy who is an adjuster thinks 25% on a 9 year old car
is generous.  I don't know what your car looked like before, but as does
mine, I'm sure it had some scratches, chips, swirl marks etc.  I know it
hurts, but unless your car was perfect before, depreciation will apply.
Having said all that, you may still want to get some other estimates for a
repaint.  Good Luck

Stefan