Help me Obiwan Genobi your my only hope!

[RichiePoor]

I need some advice from my G family. My wife was rear ended a couple of weeks ago and we had to have the bumper replaced on our 2005 Acura MDX. The total damage was $1300. State Farm has offered us $600 extra because the car will now have a carfax that says it was in a wreck. The KBB value of the car is $19,000 and she says that normally they would only pay $300 for this type claim, but if I will just settle and not take it to an arbitrator then they will give me the money that an arbitrator would charge. What do you think?

[loystock]

For as long as the repair has been completed to your satisfaction and your wife has no injury, I'd say take it. The $1300 repair bill is considered a minor damage. What is important is that you keep at 2 copies of the repair bill (actual parts replaced and labor cost) - one in the car and the other for your file. If in the future you have to sell it, you can prove that the damage was just a minor one. It would be a different story if the frame has to be stretched/realigned.

[pfarmer]

I need some advice from my G family. My wife was rear ended a couple of weeks ago and we had to have the bumper replaced on our 2005 Acura MDX. The total damage was $1300. State Farm has offered us $600 extra because the car will now have a carfax that says it was in a wreck. The KBB value of the car is $19,000 and she says that normally they would only pay $300 for this type claim, but if I will just settle and not take it to an arbitrator then they will give me the money that an arbitrator would charge. What do you think?

You'll probably have to take it. The issue really isn't just how well it was repaired. There is also the possibility of other damage that hasn't showed up yet. for example my Jeep was hit from behind rather hard but no visible damage as the car hit it on the receiver hitch. However it appeared that it knocked out the led to the radio. Not a huge deal but this could have been some other electrical issue such as a BCM, that $600 could get eaten up fast.

I would carefully check everything at this point and bring up any issues found. Not sure of the paperwork involved in your settlement but there may be a spot for 'comments'.

As far as the carfax goes what may end up being important is not how it affects todays value but tomorrows.

Perry