Thanks for sharing your post here, CLG!
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Glad you’re okay! I’ve been through a few accidents myself, so I feel for you.
What kind of vehicle hit you, or was it something on the road? That looks like it’ll cost a lot—probably a few thousand dollars for the front quarter panel and door replacements.
Have you already contacted your insurance? They might just write off the car if the repairs cost more than the car’s worth.
@Wren
Thanks! It was so dark I couldn’t see properly, but I think I hit something like a cinder block. My car is a Honda HR-V 2016. What does it mean if they ‘write it off’?
Zed said:
@Wren
Thanks! It was so dark I couldn’t see properly, but I think I hit something like a cinder block. My car is a Honda HR-V 2016. What does it mean if they ‘write it off’?
If repairs cost more than the car’s value, the insurance company will declare it a total loss and just pay you the car’s market value instead of fixing it.
@Storm
I understand now. Thanks for breaking it down!
Whoa, that damage looks rough. What year and model is your car? Let insurance handle it. I’d guess around $4,000 or more to fix.
Leighton said:
Whoa, that damage looks rough. What year and model is your car? Let insurance handle it. I’d guess around $4,000 or more to fix.
It’s a Honda HR-V 2016. I couldn’t see very well, but it seemed like a cinder block. Thanks for the advice.
@Zed
If it was a block, it looks like a big one! Glad you’re safe—it could’ve been much worse. Let insurance deal with the repair. Do you have rental car coverage? If you do, don’t let the rental company upsell you extra insurance; your policy should already cover it.
@Leighton
Thanks, I’m really thankful it wasn’t worse. Unfortunately, I don’t have rental coverage. I’ll just use Uber for now since my job is close by.
Zed said:
@Leighton
Thanks, I’m really thankful it wasn’t worse. Unfortunately, I don’t have rental coverage. I’ll just use Uber for now since my job is close by.
Good thing your commute is short, but yeah, being without a car is rough. Rental coverage is worth considering next time—it’s usually pretty cheap compared to the hassle. Maybe check the cost of renting versus Ubering daily; it might be worth comparing.
It’s definitely more than $500 worth of damage. Go through insurance for this one.
Storm said:
It’s definitely more than $500 worth of damage. Go through insurance for this one.
Got it. Thanks for the advice!
For some cars, just replacing the windshield could cost $1,000. Most policies cover full windshield replacement, but check with your agent. Bodywork could easily add up to a few thousand dollars more.
That kind of damage might end up totaling the car.
Sky said:
That kind of damage might end up totaling the car.
It’s a 2016 Honda HR-V. Do you think that changes anything?
Sky said:
That kind of damage might end up totaling the car.
It’s a 2016 Honda HR-V. Do you think that changes anything?
Hard to say, but multiple panels and trim pieces will cost a lot. Damage to the A-pillar and rear quarter panel, in particular, can be really expensive.
With damage like that, are you sure it was just a cinder block and not a concrete barrier? I’d have stopped right away to check what hit me.
Mai said:
With damage like that, are you sure it was just a cinder block and not a concrete barrier? I’d have stopped right away to check what hit me.
I pulled over as soon as I could, but by the time I stopped, I was too far to see what it was. It looked like something light grey and about the size of a square foot.