Expert: Charlie Barone - 4/5/2010

Question
I drive a 2007 H3 Hummer and was rear ended, the vehicle that hit me is a total loss, my Hummer appears to only have cosmetic damage on the bumper.   Since I was pushed 2-3 feet forward, I think that my differentials, transmission may have been damaged. Can I get a total loss for this vehicle since it is a off road vehicle that may not be the same again. Thank You.
Xavier

Answer
I'm afraid you can't get the vehicle totaled by an insurance company on that basis alone. The insurer of the other party as well as yours has the option to pay the cost to repair the vehicle or replace it, whichever is less. If you are concermed about your drivetrain I suggest you take it to a dealer and have it thorougly checked out for damage. The Hummer is a heavy duty vehicle which ought to be able to take a rear end hit without being damaged.

You are entitled to make a diminished value claim, depending on how much value the vehicle lost on the basis of the damage it sustained. Go to www.ICAN2000.com and search for a local DV professional to you. If all the Hummer has cosmetic damage on the rear bumper, I would not suspect it lost much value, however.