Owning a car is a dream come true for most of us. It is one of the necessities of our daily lives. Not only does it help us get to work every day without having to commute in crowded public vehicles, but it also gives us the luxury of visiting different places to relax and unwind. Also, cars are our lifesaver in times of emergency, especially when we need to get to the hospital as soon as we can.
As Spiderman says, “With great power comes great responsibilities.” Owning a car is not a walk in the park. You need to be very good at taking care of it. Before you own a car, you have to be equipped with the knowledge of its maintenance, possible issues, and what to do if it is severely damaged.
Unfortunately, accidentally wrecking your car can happen despite doing everything you can to prolong its life.
This article gives car owners an idea of what to do with their damaged cars.
Go Get Your Money
After a car accident, you must know the vehicle’s value. The insurance company or the driver who is at fault can help you with that. After the insurance company learns about its value and the estimated total price to pay for its repair. Once the company knows the value of the car and the cost to make all the necessary repairs, they will then determine whether or not to consider the vehicle totaled. Then, radically, they will write a check for the car’s value if it’s not worth repairing.
Each company has its distinct formula, and every state has its own threshold for claiming a car as damaged beyond repair. Every totaled car is not what you may think of, either — crushed flat or roasted to a crisp. Lastly, older vehicles with lesser frame damage may truly be more expensive to repair than the mere value of the vehicle.
Have It Repaired and Keep It
If you are a sentimental type of person, you would really want to have your beloved car repaired despite the obvious that it has been destroyed. However, if you can still drive your car safely or tow it to a repair shop, it might be ideal to save it. If you do this, you will not have to file a claim and drive it instead with some damage and make needed repairs at your own expense.
Before deciding to keep and have your vehicle repaired, meticulously evaluate how much repairing will require you. You also need to make sure that you receive the best value for the price you paid.
Sometimes, your totally damaged car could be taken care of by your insurance coverage. For example, car insurance may take care of everything if you ever meet a collision on the road. But of course, this isn’t the only time that your car could be damaged.
You need to remember that if the repair payment is already no longer practical or worth it on your part, do not risk having it repaired anymore. Bear in mind that cars will not be with you until the end, and there will be a time that you will have to give them up. With these choices, though, you could pick what to do best with your car.
Go To a Junkyard and Sell It
Most junkyards would immediately say, “we buy damaged cars” if they see how wrecked your car is and can no longer be saved. So, you can defsavingforinitely get paid for your crashed vehicle if you sell it to an automobile salvage yard. Just go to a licensed scrap auto buyer, and will tow it for you for free.
Here are some tips in choosing the best junk yard:
- Find the best location. Choose the junk yard that is nearest to you so you don’t have to use a lot of fuel to get there.
- Schedule. Find a yard which is open or available most of the time. This way, you will have no problem choosing the perfect timing in selling your totaled car.
- The Price. This is the most crucial factor to consider. This is because you need to get what the real value of your car is. Also, choose a junk yard you won’t have to spend more in like those who offer free pick up and free paperworks.
- Great Offers. Usually, junk yards offer weekly or monthly special offers for salvaged parts from a wide range of vehicle makes or models. It is necessary to examine and analyze thoroughly these offers before going to your local junkyard.
Lastly, don’t hesitate to spend time learning the value of the vehicle– some junk car buyers don’t pay what the actual value is.
Donating Your Car
Enquire with your local donation services and set a time to have your auto towed without paying anything. The company will then dispose of the parts by selling them, and you will get a tax deduction for the depreciated value. Most services will permit you to pick the charity organization that will receive the payment for your vehicle.
Keeping and Selling For Salvage
Sometimes, the insurance company purchases cars that are totaled and sells the parts. However, you can even do this all by yourself if you think you can gain more car parts than your insurance company grants to pay you. Removing or separating car parts is also a good alternative if you prefer working on cars and want to salvage the car parts to use on a different vehicle.
It truly is painful to watch your car or car parts slip from your fingers, but this is better than becoming financially harmed.
Your Call
Each of these choices has advantages and disadvantages, so don’t hurry and do your research before you arrive at a decision on what to do with your damaged car. By doing so, you will definitely achieve peace of mind and will never regret your choice in the future.
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