My insurance is totaling out my car, but the amount offered won't get me a similar vehicle. What can I do?

My insurance is totaling out my car, but the amount offered won't get me a similar vehicle. What can I do?

If your car is totaled out by your insurance and the sum offered isn't enough to replace it with a similar year and model, first check local newspapers and eBay for similar vehicles. If you can show that similar models are fetching more money, your insurance may do an amended appraisal and offer you more money.

Alternatively, a little known section of the California Insurance regulations, provides that if the insured cannot buy a similar make and model car for the amount offered by his or her insurance, he can demand that the insurer replace the car with a similar make and model.

I'm Ed Smith, a personal injury lawyer in Sacramento and I can help you with the above situation or any personal injury matter.

Call me anytime at 916.921.6400 in Sacramento.
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