My car was stolen from my driveway, the car was located the next day in a pond. Front body damage, smashed window glass, front tires flat, the front half was submerged but not completely over the engine and up to the cup holders inside. There is water in the oil and the gas cap was off so something probably happened there. The flat tires were completely bald so I am sure there is clutch damage. The insurance company is coming to get it and take it to a savage yard for assessment of the damages. Either it's totaled or not but either way I am sure I will not get what it's worth, it's their business to make money. What can I do to be prepared? How do they determine the value? The car had upgraded stereo, exhaust, tint, iPod adapter, etc... All electronic equipment was stolen. It's a 2000 Honda Civic EX coupe in excellent condition. Thanks for any help you can give.I have looked at NADA, there is a resale, retail, trade-in, etc... Which one? You can't buy that car in this area for what they have it listed. I have checked everywhere I can on-line and the same car is going for $1000 more than the NADA average.I am not looking to get rich, I simply want to replace this car. Exhaust, no big deal it was only cosmetic, the ipod adapter was hardwired so the person who took the claim say they will consider it but not the iPod, which is understandable. The car was in excellent condition, EXCELLENT, no dings, no dents, new paint, no holes in interior, non-smoker, blah blah blah.... Thanks for the help you guys, this has shown me what to be prepare for and what to research.

Sorry to hear about your car being stolen. That sucks no matter what. Ok, so let's get to it. Yes, you're probably right, you won't get what the car is worth. They will look at what the current book value is for your car. As for your upgrades, if you have receipts for all that stuff, it may be taken into consideration, but remember this for future refrences: If you do upgrades or add extras to your car, take your receipts to your insurance agent, take before and after pictures, etc. and have him/her put it in your file as proof. Hope this helps, and I hope everything works out for you.

show receipts for all your extrasor find prices for the add ons good luck dont take the first offer they may come back with a higher one also look at kelly blue book to see actual valuegood luck

Honey, I am really sorry to hear your story. I know it hurts to see so much damage on your car. You will have to file a salvage title on your car for sure with this much damage. Also your insurer will pay you the amount the represents the value of your car today. That is you will lose some money since the value of the car will have depreciated a bit. Goto kelly blue book and enter your car features and model and it will show you your cars current value. If your insurance company is using any other scale of measurement, ask them this information in writing. I hope and pray everything will get settled soon and well in your favour. Good luck sweetie

It will no doubt total.Actual cash value of the vehicle is non-negiotable. It is what it is.First off.. lets get one thing clear.. NONE OF THOSE UPGRADES are covered. Thats written into your policy. If you get upgrades to your car you have to get additional covered with your insuarnce to cover them.. which im assuming you didnt. When you insured your car.. you insured a factory 2000 honda civic ex... please accept now that all that aftermarket stuff will not be considered. and there is nothing you can do about that.Now... to find what your car is worth go to nada.com and take a look. Thats what the majority of companies use.If you arent happy with yoru settlement amount.. you can check similar cars in your area and what they are going for and you can argue that.. however.. there is very little room to budge.Be reasonable and so will they. As an adjuster, of course i dont want to pay someone more then there car is worth... in this world it just seems that everyone thinks "their precious car" is worth so much more then it really is. I dont want to rip anyone off.. just give them what they are actually owed.

Hiya:Not sure why you are 'sure' you are not going to get paid what the car is worth.Insurance companies are REQUIRED to pay what the vehicle is worth.Most of the time? People think they don't get what the vehicle is worth because they have the WRONG impressions about what a car is worth. ::shrug:: it's the truth.So - what is your car worth and how is the insurance company going to figure it out?Your car is worth its market value. That is - what your vehicle COULD HAVE sold for in your local market before the accident.The insurance companies are going to determine this by examining your vehicle to determine what kind of condition it is in. Did you have a lot of trash in your car? Were there cigarette burns in the seat? What condition was the paint job? Those kinds of things go into evaluating the condition of the car.They will also do a market survey/search. This means they will contact local sellers selling the same make/model of vehicle you had to see what they are selling their vehicles for. They will look at the classifieds, the trader mags, check with dealers....get the picture?They can not just come up with an arbitrary number. They can NOT use "book" value. They can consider it - but it can NOT be the sole determining factor. (Most people think the book value is what they should get or what they are entitled to. Not. So.)So - when they make you an offer - ask what the offer takes into account. They do not owe you for an iPod adapter - that is considered personal property. You can make a claim on your renter's/owner's home policy (is it WORTH it? probably not). They only owe you...the car. They do not owe you for an exhaust. Cars are supposed to come with an exhaust. If you had a special-make-your-car-louder exhaust? Your car will actually be worth less. Why? In your local market - unless everyone had a loud car - most people don't want a loud car and as such - the resale appeal would appeal to fewer people and have a lower value. Makes sense, right?If you don't agree with what they offer you - you can do your own research and provide them with documentation as to why you think your vehicle is worth more. They will certainly be willing to listen but again - just because you THINK you had a hot high priced vehicle? Sometimes reality does not work out that way.Goodluck.~jifr!

Insurance companies are required to pay what the vehicle is worth. I found interesting information about your answer here. http://all-car-insurance.blogspot.com/Good luck!

I DON'T THINK THAT THE INSURANCE COMPANY WILL TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOU BECAUSE BY LAW THAT HAVE TO PAY YOU THE FAIR MARKET VALUE OF YOUR VEHICLE.BUT AS STATED ABOVE, IF YOU HAD ANYTHING OF VALUE IN THE CAR, IF YOU HAD ANY REPAIRS DONE WITHIN THE PAST 18 MONTHS OR ANY UPGRADES DONE TO YOUR VEHICLE THEY WILL TAKE ALL THAT AND DO THEIR BEST TO MAKE YOU A HAPPY PERSON AGAIN, BUT HAVING YOUR RECEIPTS WILL HELP.I SEE IT EVERYDAY, MOST INSURANCE COMPANIES DO THEIR BEST AND SOME GO WAY BEYOND.AS FOR THE VEHICLE UNDERWATER, THEY WILL TOTAL IT OUT BECAUSE THIS WILL FOREVER BE A LIABILITY TO THEM.