Should I Try To Convince My Insurance To Total Or Repair My Car?

Asked by phnord Dec 18, 2017 at 01:18 PM about the 2008 Toyota Camry LE

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I have a 2008 Toyota Camry that's in... less than ideal condition. I live in
Long Island, and spend most of my time in Brooklyn, New York.  My
insurance is Geico, with a $200 deductible

It has 105,000 miles on it or so. I've owned it since I bought it in 2007
(although at one point the title was in a friend's name for a few years near
the beginning of its life, while I only had a permit)

The interior is pretty dirty, and has a few small issues that are easily fix-up-
able

The right side is scratched up, has a dent that makes the front right door
have issues, and needs a new mirror

Both bumpers have dings, dents. A rear light has missing plexiglass on it.

I was recently in a small accident that caused the front left bumper to be
dented, and has damaged the suspension / shocks / steering in some
capacity (it thinks it's driving straight when the steering wheel is crooked,
turning feels strange, some noises from the shocks)

My deductible is $200

The insurance assessor thought it might end up being totaled because of
the suspension issues, but that given its (apparently low?) milage, it might
end up being saved

Do I want it to be totaled? With a car in this condition, would I be able to get
a reasonable amount back from it - enough to buy a used car in good
enough condition to replace the car I've been driving?

Or should I try to convince the insurance adjustor not to total it?

2 Answers

To be super clear about my question: The insurance adjustor seemed a fairly sympathetic person If I can say something now that would convince him to either go ahead with a covered repair, or to go ahead and total it and give me a check, which seems the more preferable option in my scenario? I.e. would totalling it and cutting me a check likely afford me a vehicle that's in as good / useable condition (and maybe better aesthetic condition) than my current car? If not, it makes more sense for me to try to sway him towards a repair, no?

If you can afford to buy another car you could press for it to be totaled but you won't get much for it.

1 people found this helpful.

Your Answer:

Camry

Looking for a Used Camry in your area?

CarGurus has 34,543 nationwide Camry listings starting at $875.

ZIP:

Own this car?

Share your experience with others.

2008 Toyota Camry

Review another car

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Reelin68
    Reputation
    34,290
  • #2
    Tony Ciccotelli
    Reputation
    19,200
  • #3
    Tony Ciccotelli
    Reputation
    5,540
View All

Know more, shop wisely

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Honda Accord
1,522 Great Deals out of 29,660 listings starting at $450
Used Toyota Corolla
1,546 Great Deals out of 23,910 listings starting at $1,050
Used Honda Civic
1,412 Great Deals out of 30,132 listings starting at $800
Used Toyota Camry Hybrid
189 Great Deals out of 2,397 listings starting at $950
Used Toyota RAV4
2,045 Great Deals out of 29,024 listings starting at $1,200
Used Toyota Avalon
184 Great Deals out of 2,153 listings starting at $800
Used Nissan Altima
1,337 Great Deals out of 37,821 listings starting at $1,150
Used Lexus IS
280 Great Deals out of 5,240 listings starting at $1,250
Used Toyota Highlander
1,392 Great Deals out of 18,816 listings starting at $1,100
Used Toyota Tacoma
2,044 Great Deals out of 33,226 listings starting at $2,990
Used Lexus ES
503 Great Deals out of 8,573 listings starting at $1,100
Used Honda CR-V
2,016 Great Deals out of 41,568 listings starting at $1,050
Used Toyota 4Runner
1,242 Great Deals out of 18,414 listings starting at $1,550
Used Dodge Charger
789 Great Deals out of 28,026 listings starting at $2,200
Used Ford Mustang
901 Great Deals out of 22,516 listings starting at $1,000

Used Cars for Sale

2025 Toyota Camry For Sale
4,487 listings starting at $28,163
2024 Toyota Camry For Sale
94 Great Deals out of 8,106 listings starting at $22,036
2023 Toyota Camry For Sale
364 Great Deals out of 3,606 listings starting at $18,950
2022 Toyota Camry For Sale
243 Great Deals out of 2,524 listings starting at $15,300
2021 Toyota Camry For Sale
247 Great Deals out of 3,507 listings starting at $14,900

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.