Crane smashed mom's Infiniti. Is it totaled?

[Jesda]

Mom was driving down the street. A crane pulled up to the road and braked. Because it wasn't anchored, it swung into the lane and hit mom's 2011 QX56.

The B-pillar is the main point of concern. The door is ruined but it looks like the pillar -may- be uncompromised?

Initial repair estimate is $6k.
Book value with just under 70,000 miles is around $40k.

[Dattebayo]

I would push for it to be totaled. Who knows what the long-term consequences of a hit like that could be...

[Ekinchheng]

The insurence will say its totaled. It's hit on the pillars too that is a safety concern and damages to get it repaired will be too expensive.

[Bubba1]

The insurence will say its totaled. It's hit on the pillars too that is a safety concern and damages to get it repaired will be too expensive.

I'm not so sure about that. IF it were a $3000 Altima, it would certainly be totalled, but we're talking a $6K repair on a $40K car. I suspect an insurance company would rather have it fixed than take a much bigger big financial hit by totaling it. They're in the business of making money which means going the less expensive route. Jesda will find out soon enough. I think the bigger question is whether Jesda's family will trust the vehicle the same after it's repaired. That's subjective. Though if the shop is good, I don't see why they couldn't make that B pillar safe again.

[Jookmasta]

What are the odds? It can be salvaged but I would question how it is fixed. Definitely need a good shop to get it squared away, but I don't think they will total it based on the math.

[AZhitman]

I'd want to see that B pillar from all angles and make sure it didn't suffer any structural deformation. High-end shops can laser-measure the other panels to look for variations that might indicate transfer of the deformation to someplace you didn't even think to look.

They're going to need to remove the interior, as well as compare both sides. Anything less is janky.

If it's just cosmetic, and a new door / trim / etc, then I don't see why they wouldn't pony up to fix it. HOWEVER, I'd sure as hell be pushing for some 'diminished value' compensation.

If they balk, there are plenty of attorneys who would be happy to dig deeper into the case.

Poor Mom. Glad she wasn't hurt, but she certainly could easily have been.

[RicerX]

Damn buddy. That looks like it created a lot of underlying demons that won't be able to be exorcised.

Glad your mom is safe! That could have been much worse. I would have that car cavity searched by a good shop.

[OriginalWheelman]

Don't forget it's (Salvage Value)+(Cost of repairs)< or = x% of value. The salvage value should be pretty high on that truck and the repair cost very high as well. Leading to a fairly good chance it will be totaled if you get a very thorough estimate. That is probably in your best interest. Let it get taken and get sold with a Salvage title so the next owner knows what they are in for.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Just burn it to the ground and make it official.