Total Loss Series: What You Can Do About Unfair Aftermarket Parts Valuations

Total Loss: Chapter 4 of 6

Modified Parts Value

When a total loss accident occurs, owners of modified vehicles are hard-pressed to recuperate the monetary value of the aftermarket parts they invested in unless they keep actively involved in the settlement process. All too often, they end up with an unfair aftermarket parts valuation and may be out thousands of dollars on the initial investment into parts. While it is known that modifications are not a true investment, you should at least get back the market value of the used part when your vehicle is wrecked.

Documenting Parts

If you made aftermarket modifications to your vehicle, being proactive before an accident is the most important step to fight an unfair aftermarket parts valuation. You can do this by keeping original receipts and pictures of all the parts you’ve added on throughout the years.

However, if the collision has already happened and you feel that you were dealt an unfair aftermarket parts valuation, you still may be able to recuperate more of your losses than initially anticipated. The first thing to do is to refute your insurance company’s payout settlement. You can then do your own research or hire an independent estimator in order to help your negotiation process.

Alternative Solutions
Another last-resort effort you can make is by pulling up private for sale ads for parts like yours on the open market, and present these to your adjuster. If they see that used parts like yours are being sold for a certain price on car forums, auction sites, etc, they may relent and give you a better payout.

Continue to Chapter 5: Aftermarket Parts Reimbursement Process >>>