The Shoulder
The Shoulder
65
Property damagecool-beaver-729

Sent my car to the salvage yard after a fender bender — will it actually be totaled?

So I got rear-ended at a red light about two weeks ago. The other driver wasn't going crazy fast but hit me hard enough to crumple my rear bumper, crack the trunk lid, and push something out of alignment — my hatch won't close flush anymore and there's a weird pulling when I brake.

Car is technically still drivable. Airbags didn't go off, engine is fine, no fluids leaking. But my mechanic looked at it and said there might be some frame issues behind the bumper that you can't see just by eyeballing it.

The other driver's insurance accepted liability pretty quickly (honestly shocked me), and they arranged to have the car towed to one of their salvage/inspection facilities for evaluation. I signed whatever release they needed and handed over the keys last Thursday.

It's been almost a week and I haven't heard a single word. No call, no email, no portal update. Nothing.

My questions: 1. Is silence normal at this stage or should I be pushing for answers? 2. How do they actually decide if it's a total loss vs. repairable? Like what's the threshold? 3. If they DO total it, do I have any say in the payout amount or do they just throw a number at me?

I'm still getting to work using my spouse's car but that's not sustainable. I feel like I'm just sitting here waiting with zero information and zero leverage. Any experience with this would really help.

16replies

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16 replies

  • 14
    keen-swan-975

    I went through almost the exact same thing last year. The silence after drop-off is maddening but honestly pretty normal — at least in my experience. It took about 10 days before anyone called me. That said, I'd still email AND call every other day just so they know you're paying attention. Squeaky wheel and all that.

    • 6
      weary-commuter780

      Really glad you posted an update — gives the rest of us some hope.

  • 22
    wise-heron-610

    Former adjuster here. The delay is usually just volume — those facilities process a ton of vehicles and yours is sitting in a queue. As for the total loss question: most carriers use a threshold somewhere between 70-80% of your car's actual cash value. So if repairs would cost, say, 75% or more of what your car is worth on paper, they'll total it. Hidden frame or structural damage almost always pushes repair estimates over that line, which is why adjusters look hard at it. Don't be surprised if it gets totaled even though it seemed minor.

    • 6
      hopeful-walker762

      That lines up with what my adjuster told me too.

  • 15
    tidy-lynx-877

    Please don't just accept whatever number they offer if it IS totaled. They will lowball you. They use their own valuation tools that tend to pull comps that are in worse condition or from cheaper markets. You have the right to dispute it and provide your own comparable listings. Do that research NOW so you're ready.

  • 22
    spry-elk-742

    On your question about having say in the payout — yes, you do have options. If they total it, they'll give you an ACV (actual cash value) offer. You can counter with documented comps for similar vehicles in your area. If you still owe money on the car, check whether you have gap insurance because ACV payouts don't always cover what's left on a loan. Also worth noting: you can usually request a copy of the inspection report once it's done.

    • 9
      honest-rider659

      Same boat here. Did anyone mention a deadline to watch out for?

    • 0
      weathered-co-pilot660

      Exactly my experience. Persistence paid off in the end.

  • 11
    kind-otter-259

    Call them today. Don't wait for them to reach out. Get a claim number if you don't have one, call the adjuster directly, and ask for a written timeline. Polite but persistent. That's it.

    • 1
      honest-rider249

      Did you have to escalate, or did they come around after the first ask?

    • 3
      level-backseat327

      Took me three tries but they finally budged. Don't give up.

  • 9
    daring-lynx-218

    Just want to make sure — are YOU okay? Rear-end impacts can cause soft tissue stuff that doesn't show up for days. Neck stiffness, headaches, shoulder tension. If you haven't seen a doctor yet, please go. Not just for your health but because if symptoms show up later and you haven't documented anything, it gets complicated.

  • 13
    tidy-swift-287

    Not legal advice, but I'd flag one thing: once you accept a total loss payout, that typically closes out the property damage portion of the claim. Make absolutely sure any injury or ongoing medical stuff is handled in a completely separate track before you sign anything finalizing the vehicle settlement. Those two things should never get bundled together.

    • 10
      calm-survivor977

      Going through something similar right now. Did following up actually move the needle for you?

  • 9
    gentle-crow-666

    Ugh, the waiting is the worst part. I'd be losing my mind too. Hope you get answers soon — this kind of limbo is so stressful on top of already dealing with an accident that wasn't even your fault.

    • 5
      quiet-wanderer202

      How long did it end up taking in your case?