fender bender! any auto insurance experts?

[TNReb]

We were in North Carolina this weekend visiting my mother-in-law. We were driving through town and this lady ran a stop sign on a crossing street. She was flying and by the time I saw her, I hardly even had time to hit the breaks. Luckily nobody was hurt. She was clearly at fault and received a citation, etc.

I've already got an estimate on fixing our car and the woman's insurance company is going to cover it.

I'm curious if it is possible to recover some of the value of the car that will be lost now that it has been in an accident? I've heard it is possible to open a "depreciation" claim with the woman's insurance company, but I have also heard it can be very difficult. I'm curious what the right way to go about it is.


If anyone is curious...
Our car:

Her car... almost knocked that Obama sticker off

 

[CPerkins]

I was in an accident 5 days after I had bought a truck. It wasnt my fault, and the other guys insurance didnt bat an eye when I said I wanted something for the loss of value. Pretty sure that there is a state law or something that I was told about. I would wait you gave them the estimate and then ask for the loss of value as well.

 

[TAFKAP]

Her car... almost knocked that Obama sticker off

THAT'S funny, right there.

I'd fight the hell out of it. Ultimately, you can hold your ground until it goes to court. I'd get fair estimates on trade-in value for your vehicle before the wreck, then compare it to the same vehicle that has been wrecked. Ask them for double the difference, and make them come down to the number you want. Don't budge one inch. And make sure they realize THEIR CLIENT put you in this position, not you. Your life is affected because of their stupidity, and your time and equipment is worth money that they are obligated to compensate.

 

[JeepKuntry]

More than likely your gonna have the car repaired, and then it'll be alot of hassle to get depreciation. Maybe they settle, but I'm sure they play hard ball to an extent.

 

[TNGunsmoke]

Never hurts to ask aout the diminished trade in value doe to the wreck, although they may not do anything about it until the accident hits carfax...