Bad time - should we go right away?

SaiRamR2I · Post by **SaiRamR2I** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 12:20 am

Dear Friends,

Our original plan to R2I is may 2011. Last week someone rear ended my van and it was totally her fault per police report. today the insurance calls to say that the van has to be totaled. it was a pretty bad accident but did not expect it to be a total loss. I am totally shattered and I thought the other's person's insurance will pay for it. this is the 3rd one in 10 yrs for us all for no fault of ours. we were planning to sell our van and go back home. now with this loss, we have to buy a car to survive till may 2011 which is unnecessary expense. We cannot just buy any car since we have survive one more harsh winter here with 2 small kids. We don't own a second car!
There are other things happening this past month too and we are kind of feeling doomed. Should we just leave right away? I know we have to make our own decisions but just wanted to vent out here in this forum. Thanks for reading.

returning_indian · Post by **returning_indian** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 12:25 am

You still get paid by insurance right?

bigdreamer · Post by **bigdreamer** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 12:26 am

SaiRamR2I -

How much is the cash value offered by the insurance on your totaled car? You should get a check for the car value - talk to the insurance company. If you think your van was worth more, explain them why before they send you a check.

Understanding your options for a totaled car & some tips:
http://www.insurance.com/auto-insurance/claims/understanding-your-options-for-a-totaled-car.aspx

r2bangaloresoon · Post by **r2bangaloresoon** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 12:26 am

Well...All I can say is...take it easy. Calm down and think about it rationally not emotionally. Even if your Van is totalled your insurance or other person's insurance will pay for resale value of your van. So you will get a market value of the van minus deductible. So you can use that money to pay for your new van/car. I don't see that event as a trigger for big financial loss making you to consider r2i immediately.

go2chennai · Post by **go2chennai** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 12:41 am

SaiRamR2I;307736Dear Friends,

There are other things happening this past month too and we are kind of feeling doomed. Should we just leave right away? I know we have to make our own decisions but just wanted to vent out here in this forum. Thanks for reading.

Based on the car accident alone, I would not recommend going back. But when you say "other things", it leaves the door open for imagination! For example, if I know I'm going to be laid off, or someone close is on their death-bed, I'd seriously consider going back.

SaiRamR2I · Post by **SaiRamR2I** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 12:44 am

Thanks so much for your reply. Yes the insurance hopefully will pay the market value minus the deductible but this is all because of no fault of mine. And if I buy a new van / car i have to shell out more than what the insurance company pays us and next year (in 9 months) i have to sell before R2I. So eventually in the whole process for no fault of mine I will lose roughly 5 k. I guess I am shocked to hear that the car has to be totalled which I did not anticipate and since we just lost our new car 2 yrs back i am even more depressed I guess.

returning_indian · Post by **returning_indian** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 12:53 am

SaiRamR2I;307748Thanks so much for your reply. Yes the insurance hopefully will pay the market value minus the deductible but this is all because of no fault of mine. And if I buy a new van / car i have to shell out more than what the insurance company pays us and next year (in 9 months) i have to sell before R2I. So eventually in the whole process for no fault of mine I will lose roughly 5 k. I guess I am shocked to hear that the car has to be totalled which I did not anticipate and since we just lost our new car 2 yrs back i am even more depressed I guess.

You do not pay deductible when its other person's fault. Why would you lose 5k? Buy decent used Van at kbb value and then sell at kbb value. It sure as hell is pain in the ass when its not your fault, to deal with this situation. But its life and these are minor setbacks. I had accident with my fault and now I don't even remember it unless I look at my auto insurance, which is jacked up due to accident. It was first night of my wife in US. Just had minor injuries and I am thankful nothing happened to either one of us. Backed my brand new car within a week of buying into garage column and have dent on door, mirror is gone. Did bother me for a week, now its a just a car. Stupid thing doesn't even talk back when I yell at her.

If you think you can make more than 5k of savings by living here for another 9 months then you are coming ahead by living here. If not, then head back.

gujjubhai · Post by **gujjubhai** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 1:14 am

Here's my 2 cents.

Since you are not at fault the other party's insurance will have to pay whatever appraisal you come up with. It is your right to demand a fair price. Here's how it works. The insurance company will send an appraiser (mostly a consultant who charges very handsomely to the insurance company) who will try to put a low-ball offer. DO NOT sign anything until you are satisfied with the price they are offering. The more you delay it the more the insurance company will have to pay to the appraiser so insurance company tends to pay a higher amount if you are willing to do your research.

Go onto autotrader.com , craiglist etc and find a car which is very similar to yours and see how much you can buy a similar year,make,model car for. Tell the insurance company that price and if they do not agree, tell them to find a similar car for you for the price they are offering. If you play this well, you won't lose a penny over this accident.

I can provide some links for you if you need further explanation.

GL

cmk786 · Post by **cmk786** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 1:15 am

If it is not your fault in the accident. Than you will get all the money equavalent to its book value like the returning_indian said earlier. Many things happens in life and it will have ups and downs like a roller coster. But we have to take thoughtful decisions. Should never make any decisions in haste. Think what is right for you and your family before just R2Iing. I do not know how old are you and what is your family size and situation. If your kids are in school or not. There are so many factors to look in to before you decide to return. Sit down discuss with your family and see all the pros and cons. If you still think India is right place for you than just take the money from the insurance company for your recked vehicle. Wind off everything in US and just leave.

SaiRamR2I · Post by **SaiRamR2I** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 1:16 am

yes that would be very very helpful. Thanks for your inputs. pl send me the links.

gujjubhai;307761Here's my 2 cents.

Since you are not at fault the other party's insurance will have to pay whatever appraisal you come up with. It is your right to demand a fair price. Here's how it works. The insurance company will send an appraiser (mostly a consultant who charges very handsomely to the insurance company) who will try to put a low-ball offer. DO NOT sign anything until you are satisfied with the price they are offering. The more you delay it the more the insurance company will have to pay to the appraiser so insurance company tends to pay a higher amount if you are willing to do your research.

Go onto autotrader.com , craiglist etc and find a car which is very similar to yours and see how much you can buy a similar year,make,model car for. Tell the insurance company that price and if they do not agree, tell them to find a similar car for you for the price they are offering. If you play this well, you won't lose a penny over this accident.

I can provide some links for you if you need further explanation.

GL