patrick.net

just take it to the other insurance company's assessor and have them cut u a check for the assessed amount. then keep the check and dont do the repairs, sell it to the janitor.

if you feel assessed damage check is too low, then u can appeal with proof on why it is worth more.

Thank you very much!

there's always the chance that they'll "total" it and then the janitor is out of the mix. I don't know what it's worth.

It depends on what the car is worth, tho. they won't fix a $2k bumper on a $1k car. My experience is that insurance companies always try to screw you - and usually succeed.

Wreck pics please!

Seriously, we need pics to better assess the situation.

Sorry gang. I left out that it's a 2011 Camry. It is a lease with a payoff of around 15k. The janitor will pay cash, and has a friend that can fix it. It's not anywhere near totaled. Not even sure what's under the bumper cover.

Oh. And I was getting 3 year leases. This one is almost up and Toyota has asked me if I want out early. I could turn it in, or do the sale we're discussing.

I'm not trying to get anything out of it. Thought I could hook the guy up since he wants to buy it. The only danger would be if it failed at some point, but it's pretty new and only has 20k miles on it. Probably a good investment for him.

But if I could lower the cost to him that would be cool. Of course, if I split the 2k I wouldn't be upset either.

The easy way is to just do the insurance deal as is. I just like to solve a lot of problems at once (with your help!). :)

get it fixed for free and then sell it to the janitor

you can't cheat an honest man

you don't own the car. get it fixed and finish out your lease.

Bellingham Bill says

get it fixed for free and then sell it to the janitor

you can't cheat an honest man

But he would rather do the work and save a few bucks than to have it done pristinely. He's a Guatemalan immigrant, works hard, and that kind of money would probably matter to him.

I got a call back from the other guy's insurance company, and they said I could do whatever I want, including keep the cash.

I guess now I'd need to check if Toyota will let me do the payoff.

SFace says

You'll have to pay the dealer the residual value.

Unless the janitor is offering to pay X amount + insurance proceeds that exceeds residual value on x date, you're better off fixing it and returning the car. Somehow, I don't think the janitor will pay you anymore than a used Camry with discount for the condition. In the end, it comes down to the offer and how much cash the insurance is willing to pay.

Yeah. I agree. I need to get hard numbers from insurance. Toyota Financial shows a payoff of 14,800. Mi Amigo says he and his wife have the cash for that as is, so now I just need to see which path makes the most sense.

If it's barely damaged, it may be better to just fix it. But I reckon the Leasing outfit will be pickier than the janitor, so that may offer some opportunity to fix it with less stringent paint and parts.

I'll update you guys soon.