[valiant67]

You need to find an appraiser who will back your numbers up. A before value may be harder to establish now but you need a before and after repairs valuation by an expert.

 

[valiant67]

You may need to spend money to recover money. It's a cost which would be recoverable from the other party. The condition of the vehicle is very relevant in the valuation so comparing a #4 car to a #2 car won't hold up in court or in an argument before any insurance company. An insurance company will generally total a car when the repairs exceed 75% of the value of the car. At that time, you can settle for the fair market value of the car and be done or settle for fair market value minus the scrap value of the car and keep it.

But all of that is meaningless if you can't prove what the fair market value of your car is.

 

[valiant67]

The point is if you have coverage your insurance company should help. Back in February my 1999 Dakota R/T was totaled when someone hit me. My insurance company established the value of the truck as a somewhat limited production vehicle in a rare color. We established a value and they paid the value of the truck minus my deductible almost immediately. Eventually after a lot of delays and procrastination the other insurance company finally accepted liability and paid a month or so later. They reimbursed my insurance company and then paid me the amount of my deductible. I would have been out of luck while the other company screwed around if not for my own insurance.

 

[valiant67]

The issue is what you will do, you won't find the answer floating around on line.
It is up to YOU to prove the value of the car before the accident and what the value is after the repairs. If a reputable appraiser is able to establish your car was worth more with original paint (in the condition in which is was in) than repainted you may be able to recover diminished value. If the appraiser doesn't believe the car is worth less repainted then you don't stand much of a chance recovering diminished value. You need to be able to prove your loss. Then expect to be reimmbursed for those losses and the cost of a reasonable appraisal expense.

I would still pursue this my insurance company. Yes that settlement will be minus your deductible. But they are usually more open to negotiating with you. The once your insurance pays you, they go after the other insruance compnay. Once the other company settles you should be reimbursed your deductible.