Does anyone in the Boston vicinity want/need any free parts...I have a 1988 240GL, blue w/tan int. that was totaled, only damage, driver side side panel, wheel etc. out, rest intact....let me know ASAP here or better email: wendysworld@rcn.com. Also, any suggestions what to do w/car? Insurance says I have to send it away though the accident was their person hitting it parked in the night.

Hi,
Dennis (Dee Jay). If it still stands I'd appreciate your offer to help match me up with help in this area - an attorney would be helpful as I am getting a bit of a mess here with the situation! At this point I have held onto the car in case of insurance dispute, and lined up to give parts after. However, despite the sticker fm the insurance co, the city of Quincy decided to tow the car off without even telling me prior or leaving notice after! Thank you for your help! Wendy

Wendy...very generous offer BUT...please make certain the car is yours to dismantle befor you let Bricksters dismantle it. Normally, the insurance company needs to settle with you, then THEY take title to the car and haul it off. You need to negotiate a repurchase in order to salvage it...From what you describe it seems odd that it can't be repaired...have you considered?

-Dennis

The insurance company is telling YOU to get rid of the car??...Seems a bit odd, actually, as it's really 'their' problem (I'm an attorney).

Well, if they'll pay you for it without demanding title, make sure you get book value for the car (at least $3000 if in decent shape) PLUS enough to cover hauling to a wrecking yard...and disposal...maybe another $300. there are several Brickboard folks (like Don Foster on the Cape)in your area and even a couple volvo-only wrecking yards...so you could ensure that the parts ultimately find a good home...as i said before, this is really nice of you. Can't help directly as I'm in Florida, but let me know if you need help finding folks in your area who might be able to lend a hand...Dennis

hi.
Thank you so much for your help! I am so glad you gave this advice, because I have been feeling that it is odd as well, as well as unfair to tell me to tow the car. they say they don't want car or title, the auto body place says it would be thousands to fix frame, suspension, tie rods, wheel, strut? plus much more, I don't think it's worth it at this point..but I will keep it for now, and may write for rec. of local help.
Wendy

Dennis,
Thanks for the reply. According o the insurance and also auto body places it is unrepairable, it would take tousands of dollars to do so, it's on the sidewald now w/the whole side of the front gone. I didn't put enough detail, but meant that the rest is great shape for parts that I would hate to go to waste, especially after I've paid for so many from salvage places who said they were rare (and dear) parts, the same places which a year later say the car's too old for them to want it! The other person's insurance, called Premier, says I need to dispose of the car, which doesn't seem right, and they didn't even ask for the title. They declared it totaled yet haven't settled yet. So far that's where I'm at.

Wendy,

STOP!!! Don't do anything until this matter is settled! I just went through this (totalled '89 240), and I have the following advice:

0. "Totalled" means that the estimate for repair at a body shop is more than the actual cash value of the car. That's ALL it means. It's doesn't mean the car is unrepairable. The insurance company must pay you actual cash value of the car, or the cost to repair, whichever is less. What happens next is up to you.

1. The insurance company does not own the car. They cannot tell you what to do with it. The insurance company will not own the car until you sign over title to them. DO NOT sign over the title until you have a satisfactory payment (actual cash value of the car less any deductible). Only sign over the title if you want the insurance company to own the car - after that, you have no say regarding its disposition.

2. They have not settled. A settlement requires an inspection and appraisal. If you have removed parts from the car, that will affect the appraisal! If they have made an settlement offer, you may want to appeal, which will require further appraisals. Don't part out the car until this is settled!

3. If you retain ownership of the car, the insurance company must offer you actual cash value, less what they would get at a salvage auction, less any deductible. This still requires an appraisal and your acceptance of the offer. After that, you can fix it or part it out as you desire.

Note that actual cash value is based the price of similar cars in similar pre-crash condition in your area.


-Ron

Ron,
Thank you so much for the help, good to have advice from someone who's gone through this!
I'll keep the car here and whole for now, though it is quite the mess on the sidewalk..have had the inspector come, but no offer of settlement yet.
The insurance co, Premeir says they don't want car or title, but maybe later as they have much confusion there so far, so I will wait.
There is too much damage to be worth it to fix to me, wheel and pieces, tie rod, suspension, frame, body and more, as I called an auto body guy.

Thanks again!! Wendy