My 2012 Ford Focus was rear-ended at an intersection yesterday. The bumper has two noticeable dents, and there’s a bigger but less obvious dent on the trunk lid, starting between the “C” and “O” and going about a third of the way toward the license plate.
A friend who does auto body work said I’d need a new rear bumper and trunk lid to fully fix the damage. He thinks the cost of parts and labor might be more than the car is worth.
I’m wondering if anyone knows how much I might get if my insurance decides to write off the car
A write-off happens when fixing your car costs more than the car’s value. A good 2012 Focus is worth around $4,000. If the repair is about $1,000, it’s unlikely but not impossible to be a write-off.
Usually, a write-off means you sell the car to the insurance company, unless you negotiate to keep it, which results in a lower payout.
So, would you prefer getting a check for $2,000 and no car?
Kelly Blue Book values a 2012 Titanium Focus at $1,200 to $4,000, with the higher value being for a private sale. I’m currently trading mine in for reference.
I totally understand how frustrating that is. It’s a tough spot to be in, especially since you were planning to sell your Focus. Now you either have to fix the damage or accept a lower selling price.
Haven’t filed a report yet, but I’m thinking about it. The other driver asked if I’d get a quote from an auto body shop and skip insurance, but I’m leaning towards filing a claim now.
I’m with Wirelessbugs; you can use hot water or a heat gun (a hair dryer usually isn’t hot enough). After a few minutes, the dent might pop out on its own. There are also suction pullers that cost around $15. It’s worth trying this first because it’s cheaper, quicker, and easier than dealing with insurance.
The bumper has two noticeable dents, and there’s a bigger but less obvious dent on the trunk lid, starting between the “C” and “O” and going about a third of the way toward the license plate.