Reader’s Question:

I’m planning to buy my friend’s car which has a “rebuilt” title (it used to be considered as a total loss). My friend’s been driving it for months already and I know that it’s in good condition. However, I’m worried that if I buy it, I may have a hard time getting it insured. I’ve asked some insurance companies here in Milwaukee, WI and they all couldn’t get me the exact answers that I need to hear. My concern is, if I buy the rebuilt car, will I get an auto insurance coverage that has a lesser rate?

Dave

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

I’m pretty sure you know by now that you would really have a hard time finding an automobile insurance company that would insure your rebuilt car. Most insurance companies do not insure rebuilt vehicles for the reason that these vehicles have more chances of breaking down and getting the driver into trouble. These companies believe that brand-new vehicles are safer than those which have been totaled due to accidents. That’s why some of these companies consider a vehicle as a total loss even if the cost of its repair is just 51% of its actual cash value. They would rather make a one-time payment for a totaled car than make small but continuous payments for rebuilt cars that are more likely to break down again.

In case you find a company who is willing to insure your rebuilt car, expect that company to offer you a “stated amount” for your insurance. This stated amount is what you could expect in case your rebuilt car gets into a wreck. However, if that company does not give you a stated value policy, expect them to pay your car’s “actual cash value”. This would be computed according the car’s current value less its depreciation and the deductibles that you choose.

I hope by now you know that insurance companies (whether it’s in Milwaukee, WI or wherever) will not give you the same rate as it usually would had you insured a brand-new car.

Tags: auto insurance, auto insurance coverage, car insurance, Car Insurance Company