The insurance company compares the repair cost to the value of an un-crashed vehicle of the same vintage and pays the lesser of the two amounts. In my opinion, if this were a collector and show car, he would entitled to getting it back to the same condition as before the crash, however, it is not. Is very unfortuante: I see two options: Total the car and take the appraised value, or keep the car and accept the cash settlement and have it repaired on his own. However, he should first get an estimate of the repair. I see $4000 to $6000 or more repair cost. There is something more wrong under the hood since it will not start. You did not say what that damage was. Was the engine damaged, say a cracked block? Maybe a bunch of busted accessories and brackets on the front of the engine? Cracked manifold?

The visible damage is front bumper, bumper cover, probably 2 radiators (engine and air conditioner), left fron fender, hood, grill, front headlamp assembly, running lamp in bumper, possible frame and steering links, 2 shock absorbers (if there is any age on these, these are replaced in pairs to keep the front suspension action balanced), possible front suspension spring and spring brackets, There could be distortion of the sheet metal under the windshield, Possible wiring harness damage, battery and battery pan depending on where the battery is located, possible battery acid damage if the battery was cracked, The right front door may have scratches that will have to be fixed and included in the paint job, and front end alignment after everything is put back together. The paint job will be over $1000 for color matching and fairing the paint into the old paint. The front wheel should be checked for damage and replaced if there is any dents or distortion. The front brake may need rebuilding and any damaged brake lines replaced.

As you can see, the repair is extensive, and that's unfortunate because your vehicle appears rust free, rare for an Explorer that age.

There will be no settlement until the police report is available. You did have the police survey the scene, didn't you? Expect about 1 week before the report is available from the police station. The police report and witness statements are used to determine fault or percentage of fault of each party.

His policy didn't have rental covered? I drove a rental car once for three months and only the last few days I had to pay 5 bucks or so a day.

Unfortunately, I don't think you ever get out of an accident "even". With a car of that age they are going to total it and my understanding where I live is that once the car is determined that by the insurance company there is difficulty with registration and insurance in the future....JMO and I would take all my advise with a grain of salt.

Your son has taken such good care of his car....I drive a 2003 car and sympathize but I think there is only one choice.

Hopefully they will say they can fix it and that's what will happen. It doesn't look like a lot of damage, they will get in there and inspect it thoroughly. Have them take it to a shop so they can get it up on the rack and check it out. This same thing happened to us a few weeks before Christmas to my husband's car(his baby!), it was also in immaculate condition, had it since it was brand spanking new, kept it perfect. None of that mattered to our insurance company. They only gave us a tiny bit to buy a replacement car, they called ours "totaled". So now we have a used car that's been nothing but a headache since we bought it. I sure hope you have much better luck with your insurance company. One piece of advice we were given is to demand a replacement car, so they did cough up the money to buy a used car that was exactly the same as his (make, model, year) it seemed like a good idea at the time since his car had been such a great car with very little repairs...the "new" one...not so much!

I have State Farm insurance.Full coverage and was in a head on colision.Other guy came over into my lane.My 2007 Chevy malibu was 3 or 4 years old.It was totaled and State Farm paid for my car and then settled with the other guys insurance company.I came out well they even paid original sales tax and license and Doc fees.

First of all, congratulations. You'd be very lucky to get $2,500 for this generation Ford Explorer. I can purchase these all day long at auction for $1,500 or less. These vehicles are heavily plagued with issues as well as the 5R55E transmission problems and snapping coil springs. Us mechanics cringe when having to look at one. This vehicles depreciation was through the roof in the first few years. Assure your son to total this vehicle out. Take the money and run.