[V8] Rear Ended--Need Parts--To fix or not to fix

[Kent McLean]

jason.carey at riverrestoration.org wrote:
 > The body shop
 > estimated $7K in repairs and I am afraid that the insurance
 > company is not going to value this car as highly as I do. Any
 > tips for getting the highest value out of the estimator?

Insurance company's assume your car is in average condition
for an average price, and then they low-ball you. Don't take
the insurance company's first offer of a settlement.  Show
them a stack of bills and repair receipts, proving your car
was in above average condition. Then show them a handful of
advertisements (local newspapers, Audifans Marketplace,
Autotrader.com, etc.), showing their offer is too low. Then
let them know what you think is "fair" (just as their first
offer was "fair").  Then a) you get lucky and they cut you
a check for your price, or b) you start negotiating. Stick
to your guns.  Don't give up because they are difficult to
deal with; that's their job.

--
Kent McLean
'94 100 S Avant, "Moody"
'89 200 TQ, "Bad Puppy" up in smoke