MY 2006 hhr Lt was recently totaled in a car wreck by my wife. The other driver was at fault and his ins. company will be making me an offer soon. I was wondewring if someone could tell me how I could find info on several hhr's simular in condition to mine that have recently been sold and for how much they sold for. MY hhr lt had 56000 miles, was in good condition and did not have any modifications, only basic factory options such as chrome package,single cd player and remote starter,and 16"alloy rims. I was hoping to use previous sales to help stop ins.company from trying to lowball me on there offer. Any Ideas will be much appreciated!
Thanks!

 

Go to Edmunds.com and KBB.com (kelly blue book) and price out as if you were buying the exact one. They will offer you a retail price, trade in and private seller. You should be looking at the retail. Note: Kelly Blue Book will probably be higher, as it favors dealers, which in this case, favors you.

 

I would look at NADA for retail prices too. If your not sure what NADA in just type it into Google (it stands for National Automobile Dealers Association).

 

Although the car guru websites offer generic pricing levels, I go onto Autotrader to see what people and dealers are asking for vehicles that they are actually selling. This is real-time data.

 

Lucky for you the values just went up a little. Every so often I check mine, (which is also a 2006). It had dipped down to just shy of 10k, and now it's back over 10k...and nothing has really changed. Miles have been pretty steady, (but somewhat under for the year...)

 

The insurance company owes you the current market value of your car in your geographical area. You want to look for similar cars for sale in your area. Remember the market value is the price sellers will take for the vehicle not the asking price. Differences in condition, options, mileage from your vehicle will either add or subtract from the value of the sample vehicle. Most carriers use a company called CCC that searches out comparison vehicles the carriers use to establish the market value of your car. Ask for this report when they make a settlement offer. Go over it carefully to make sure they reviewed your car accurately. Research craigs list, cars.com, autotrader etc. to find similar vehicles and determine if the carrier's offer is in the ball park and acceptable. If the offer's low, send examples of cars you found and demand that they up their offer or find a vehicle for you at their settlement offer. This is where it gets state specific regarding the carrier's obligation to you when settling total loss claims. Look on your state's department of insurance website and search for your state's fair claims practice regulations to figure this out or give them a call. As a last resort you can file a claim with your carrier to see if you get a better offer. Sometimes you'll have extra rights as a 1st party insured with your insurance comopany vs. a 3rd party claimant with the adverse carrier. Get your homework done now because the carrier will cut you off from your rental car shortly after they make an offer whether you accept it or not.

 

^^^^^^^^^Now here is someone that KNOWS what they are talking about^^^^^^