The Shoulder
The Shoulder
54
Property damagequiet-fox-838

Honestly shocked — the total loss offer wasn't terrible? Did not expect this

So I've been lurking here for a few weeks since my accident and honestly this forum had me convinced I was about to get completely lowballed on my total loss payout. I spent like three evenings pulling comps off every listing site I could find, printed everything out, highlighted mileage and trim levels, and had my whole counter-argument ready to go.

Then the adjuster called this morning.

Their number came in above what I had calculated as fair market value. I was so prepared to fight that I just sat there on the phone kind of speechless for a second. I even asked her to repeat it. Ended up accepting on the spot.

Now — I'm not saying the process was easy. Between the rental situation, waiting on the inspection, and just not knowing what was happening for days at a time, it was genuinely stressful. Nobody tells you how long the "we'll be in touch" phase actually takes. I think I refreshed my claims portal approximately 400 times.

Also worth mentioning: I still have an open medical claim for some neck stiffness that started a few days after the crash. That part is nowhere near done. So the vehicle piece being resolved is a relief, but I'm not fully through this yet.

Just wanted to post something positive for once since this place can feel pretty doom-and-gloom sometimes (understandably). If you're about to go through a total loss valuation — do your research, know your comps, be ready to push back. I was ready and maybe that helped, or maybe I just got lucky. Either way, don't assume the worst before the call happens.

11replies

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11 replies

  • 13
    hearty-swift-547

    This is genuinely refreshing to read. I went through a total loss last year and my experience was the opposite — took three rounds of back-and-forth before they got anywhere close to reasonable. I think having your comps ready really does make a difference. They know when you know what you're talking about.

  • 15
    quiet-swan-146

    Glad it worked out on the vehicle side! Just keep your guard up on the medical claim — that's usually where things get sticky. Adjusters can be super pleasant once the car is settled and then flip the script when injury negotiations start. Don't let the good first experience make you drop your guard.

  • 19
    brave-crow-696

    Honestly? When a claimant comes in clearly prepared with comp data, it changes the dynamic internally. There's less room to justify a low number when someone can immediately point to five comparable vehicles in the same region. You probably did help yourself just by doing that homework, even if you never had to use it.

    • 5
      soft-spoken-offramp721

      Adding this: keep copies of every email. It mattered for me.

  • 9
    genuine-sparrow-320

    Really important point you made at the end — the vehicle settlement and the injury claim are two completely separate things. Make sure you didn't sign anything that releases all claims, only the property damage portion. Most of the time they keep them separate but it's worth double-checking whatever you signed or agreed to on that call.

  • 13
    careful-finch-814

    Please don't let the good news on the car make you brush off the neck stiffness. Soft tissue stuff that shows up a few days post-accident can linger way longer than people expect, and sometimes it's masking something worth imaging. Keep going to your appointments and document everything even if you feel like you're mostly okay.

    • 3
      restless-sidewalk722

      Following up on this — any update on how it turned out?

  • 16
    daring-crow-143

    Love this post. Seriously. You did the work, you were ready, and it paid off. Even if part of it was luck, you put yourself in the best position possible. Hope the medical piece resolves just as smoothly for you.

    • 4
      curious-survivor251

      That lines up with what my adjuster told me too.

  • 5
    plain-lynx-331

    Good outcome, but don't close the loop mentally until that injury claim is done. That's the one that can drag on and that's the one where you may actually want someone in your corner. Keep notes on every symptom, every appointment, every day it affects your work or sleep. You'll thank yourself later.

  • 16
    silent-vole-980

    How long after the accident did they actually declare it a total loss? And did they use some kind of third-party valuation report or just give you a number? Asking because my situation is similar and I'm trying to figure out what a "normal" timeline even looks like right now.