# Repair or total accident **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Tags:** hyundai, santa-fe-sport\ **Created:** [August 15, 2022, 3:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/repair-or-total-accident/185825 "2022-08-15T15:28:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![GSK.037\_180257](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/da6949/32.png) [@GSK.037\_180257](https://community.cartalk.com/u/GSK.037_180257)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2022, 3:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/repair-or-total-accident/185825/1 "2022-08-15T15:28:01Z")
Hi All, we got rear ended by a speeding vehicle and the driver side rear end got damaged including the bent wheel. The car had to be towed. Ignition was on but the car couldn’t move because of the bent wheel. Attached photos and wanted to get some inputs on if the car will be repaired or totaled. I know the insurance adjuster has the final say and it’s just waiting at this point for us. Curious to find out if anyone with similar experience can provide some details. ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/4/c/4c99ba15d8010287e6c07ba68a2185c52a631499.jpeg) ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/7/c/7c956410654827bed5821790651931ec2b8b03ac.jpeg) ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/c/1/c108fc4b4c13649319e5f761ea8d0517bcebe2ac.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2022, 3:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/repair-or-total-accident/185825/2 "2022-08-15T15:37:22Z")
No way to tell without a close look underneath at the rear suspension and floor pan. Year? Miles? ---
**Author:** ![GSK.037\_180257](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/da6949/32.png) [@GSK.037\_180257](https://community.cartalk.com/u/GSK.037_180257)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2022, 3:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/repair-or-total-accident/185825/3 "2022-08-15T15:39:07Z")
Don’t have any other pics. It’s 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe sport with 70k miles ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2022, 4:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/repair-or-total-accident/185825/4 "2022-08-15T16:00:17Z")
> [@GSK.037\_180257](#): > > to get some inputs on if the car will be repaired or totaled. Thanks It makes no difference what anyone on the web says . Only the insurance adjuster can determine cost or whether it is totaled . ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2022, 4:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/repair-or-total-accident/185825/5 "2022-08-15T16:06:25Z")
Agree but would think the damage is at least in the 3-4,000 area. Usually if the damage is 70% or so of value, they will want to total. So is it worth more than $7000 or so? You simply get an estimate from the body shop and go from there. The bent wheel though may indicate hidden problems with the brakes, suspension, etc. if the spare is put on would it be drivable? ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2022, 4:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/repair-or-total-accident/185825/6 "2022-08-15T16:49:45Z")
Light damage, suspension and body are repairable. ---
**Author:** ![davepsinbox\_157004](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@davepsinbox\_157004](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davepsinbox_157004)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2022, 9:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/repair-or-total-accident/185825/7 "2022-08-15T21:03:51Z")
[Cars.com](http://Cars.com) says similar vehicles are in the upper teens and higher in the St. Louis area. I’d say it’s probably worth well over $7k. Insurance will probably opt to repair it. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2022, 9:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/repair-or-total-accident/185825/8 "2022-08-15T21:40:06Z")
I cannot understand why people think you can post a few pics of accident damage online and get accurate answers on cost and/totaled from strangers on the internet. Nothing we say matters in the least…only the insurance adjuster standing in front of the car can say for sure. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2022, 9:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/repair-or-total-accident/185825/9 "2022-08-15T21:56:00Z")
> [@Mustangman](#): > > only the insurance adjuster standing in front of the car… … and peering underneath the car when it is on a lift… > [@Mustangman](#): > > can say for sure. 🤔 ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2022, 10:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/repair-or-total-accident/185825/10 "2022-08-15T22:09:48Z")
Ins will fix that. No problem. From exterior view. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2022, 12:11am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/repair-or-total-accident/185825/11 "2022-08-16T00:11:41Z")
Looks repairable from where I’m sitting. If totaled, insurance company might sell or even give it to you, no harm asking if you want to do the repair on your dime. Make sure the fuel fill path from cap & fill-port to gas tank is carefully examined as part of repair. ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2022, 12:30am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/repair-or-total-accident/185825/12 "2022-08-16T00:30:50Z")
The insurance company will not just give you the vehicle . If someone decides to keep it the amount that the insurance might sell it for will be deducted from the setlement price plus fees for towing and storage . Then the person has to pay to have it repaired , inspected for public road use and then have a salvage title . Full coverage insurance might not be an option then . ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2022, 12:34am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/repair-or-total-accident/185825/13 "2022-08-16T00:34:50Z")
If the car is worth $14,000, none of this is relevant. Get an estimate and go forward. ---
**Author:** ![GSK.037\_180257](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/da6949/32.png) [@GSK.037\_180257](https://community.cartalk.com/u/GSK.037_180257)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2022, 2:06am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/repair-or-total-accident/185825/14 "2022-08-16T02:06:35Z")
Yes, the car is easily worth 14,000$ ---
**Author:** ![GSK.037\_180257](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/da6949/32.png) [@GSK.037\_180257](https://community.cartalk.com/u/GSK.037_180257)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2022, 2:08am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/repair-or-total-accident/185825/15 "2022-08-16T02:08:26Z")
Not sure if I understand it correctly. Can I know What do you mean by “ no harm asking if you want to do the repair on your dime” ? Thank you ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2022, 2:11am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/repair-or-total-accident/185825/16 "2022-08-16T02:11:47Z")
> [@GSK.037\_180257](#): > > Can I know What do you mean by “ no harm asking if you want to do the repair on your dime” ? Thank you He means that if the vehicle is totaled that you basically buy it from the insurance company then you either repair it yourself or pay someone to repair it . Just ignore that idea and see what the persons adjuster comes up with . ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2022, 3:06am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/repair-or-total-accident/185825/17 "2022-08-16T03:06:17Z")
Agree but its not that big a deal either for a total. Mine was totaled after hitting a deer. State Farm paid me the value after deducting $50 for me to keep the car. Fixed it myself. No problem with title or insurance. Agent just wanted to see it when it was done. Had it all done except for the pin stripe, so back on the road with full coverage again and went to Europe with the balance. ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2022, 5:05am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/repair-or-total-accident/185825/18 "2022-08-16T05:05:13Z")
> [@VDCdriver](#): > > > [@Mustangman](#): > > > > only the insurance adjuster standing in front of the car… > > … and peering underneath the car when it is on a lift… I have only witnessed insurance adjusters assessing cars in the parking lot, never on a lift. They make a rough assessment; it is up to the body man to disassemble the vehicle and write a proper estimate. The OP didn’t ask for an estimate, only if the damage seemed to exceed the value of the vehicle. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2022, 11:31am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/repair-or-total-accident/185825/19 "2022-08-16T11:31:10Z")
> [@Nevada\_545](#): > > The OP didn’t ask for an estimate, only if the damage seemed to exceed the value of the vehicle The question was a general one… these are starting to appear here but on a couple of reddit mechanics forums I watch, people post these all the time. Much like questions about plugging tires with screws in the outer tread band. Usually after a tire store said NO. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2022, 9:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/repair-or-total-accident/185825/20 "2022-08-16T21:54:45Z")
> [@GSK.037\_180257](#): > > What do you mean by “ no harm asking if you want to do the repair on your dime” ? There is no expense to you for simply asking a question.