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Posted Mon Sep 11, 2006 in Automotive

The claims agent from the other driver’s insurance company called late this afternoon. He told me there is some indication of structural damage to my Bimmer. A specialist is being called in to review the damage and coordinate with the body shop where the Bimmer is currently stored. That meeting should take place late this week.

But, listening to what he said, both Wife and I could hear that he thinks the Bimmer will be declared a total loss. If there is structural damage to the vehicle, then repairs will be very expensive. Given my limited knowledge, I estimated between $10K and $15K of damage. I noticed the right rear wheel is pushed forward enough that I think the right rear suspension member is damaged. I think the sheet metal and deeper damage may approach the value of the automobile less the salvage value.

In other words, it may be less expensive to the insurance carrier to total the vehicle, sell it for salvage (there’s lots of good parts left), pay off our note and give us a check for the difference. I won’t really know until Friday or Monday of next week, but that’s what it sounded like the agent was hinting around about this afternoon.

Wife and I drove by the BMW dealership this evening while we were out and about. There are a couple of vehicles there that would serve us just fine. So now we just wait and see.