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Faunsdale, AL | Same here. It mainly depends on the age of the car when the damage occurs. Next would be mileage and finally condition and desirability of the vehicle, but those are less tangible effects.
Went through this back during COVID when vehicles were hard to find and even used were expensive. Had a nice 7 year old car with plenty of miles that was hit in the left front corner. Car was drivable and had no abnormal tire wear or mechanical issues, but of course lots of cosmetic $$$$ stuff. For example, one headlight was $650!
First estimate to repair in big city, put it just over the % of value to repair. I told the (other driver’s) insurance company I wanted it repaired, but they claimed it was required by law to total it. So, I said what if I can find a local shop that will repair it cheaper, (which I did)? Nope! Nothing doing! So, I asked if I could buy it back which they agreed to, but paperwork had to be run through a salvage company. I actually came out a few hundred $ ahead on the money, but then I had to take car to get it inspected and have a salvage title now. It’ll get run until it won’t be worth fixing here, so I’m not particularly worried about resale.
The inspector that looked over the car said 95% of the vehicles he inspected were similar to mine. Good older car with bad cosmetic damage, many from hitting deer. The rest was stuff like heavy trucks.
The expensive, newer vehicles may get a lot more extensive repairs because they’re “worth” fixing and this doesn’t require inspection and no salvage/rebuilt title!
Edited by ccjersey 1/3/2026 09:53
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Used car with rebuilt title
