Saving Totalled Quattro

[Quattrofan@aol.com]

Things vary from state to state, but here's the scoop as it applies to my
job:

It's your car; they can't just take it from you. It is now the law (federal,
methinks) that any car technically totalled MUST be issued a salvage title.
This keeps really bad wrecks from being pasted back together for quick resale
by the rebuilders and sold as 'normal' cars. Salvage/reconstructed title is
no big deal if you're going to keep it for yourself. The problem is, in this
state it takes several weeks for the paperwork to get handled, so your car
might be fixed and still waiting for its title. Resale could potentially
suffer, but then we're talking Audis here anyway :)
If you have some wheels to drive while all this takes place, I'd keep it and
get it fixed. I certainly plan to do it if my Coupe ever gets hit. State Farm
hates it when people keep their cars, but they can't make you give it up.
They will pay you book minus the salvage value, which in all honesty (4csq?)
probably wouldn't be more than $5-600, if that. If you really want to know,
do what they do, and call two or three area yards, pretend you're from XYZ
insurance, and ask them to bid on a car like yours. This makes for great
leverage with SF should you have a prob with the salvage value.
Need any more help, just ask.....

Dwight V.
Licensed Auto Damage Appraiser, state of PA
Proud owner of 86 Cgt, 89 Jetta GLI 16v
P.S. I don't work for State Farm ;)