A strange kind of "totaled" ...

[ronniebell]

We got hit by a recent hailstorm here in Texas, and our 2021 Telluride (S trim, AWD, Glacier White Pearl, purchased new in June of 2021) ended up with some minor dents on the hood, roof, and top rail bars. Also picked up a couple of cracks in the windshield on the passenger's side. Still drives like a dream—no mechanical issues at all—but my insurance company called it a total loss. We were stunned. It’s all cosmetic.

Here’s the kicker: I would have been happy to get around $21K for it from the insurance company (Costco Connect) based on what I found on CarMax, Carvana, Edmunds, KBB, etc. But the insurance company offered $25K if they take the car, or $15K if I keep it.

It seems like a no-brainer to keep it. With its Glacial White Pearl paint, the small dents are not so noticeable unless you’re up close. I'll get the windshield fixed at some local shop. I'm thinking maybe $800 or so. There are a couple of downsides, though. One is that the title will be branded as salvage, which will lower the vehicle’s future resale value. The other is that Kia’s 100,000-mile powertrain warranty will be voided. But with 69,228 miles already on it, that’s not a major concern. Thought others here might be interested in how this all played out.

Anyone else had a Telluride get “totaled” for cosmetic damage?

 

[1 Alibi 2]

If it were me:
I'd let it go for the 25K.
Salvage title down the road will hurt you, as a trade-in, or private sale..
.

 

[ronniebell]

Thanks for your input. I decided to keep the Telluride. It’s completely paid off, and the dents are barely noticeable unless you’re up close. I'll pay to get the windshield replaced, about $800. There’s no paint damage at all, and it has $3,500 worth of aftermarket upgrades, including a 7-pin receiving hitch, paint protection film, LED headlights, and window tinting, along with $3,000 in factory add-ons. Given all that, it didn’t make sense to have it salvaged for parts. We’ll drive it for a few more years and then give it to our daughter. I’ll be receiving a check for $14,898.38 in the next few days.

 

[1 Alibi 2]

Was the hood wet in the 2nd pic, or is that the hail damage ??
.

______________________________

 

[ronniebell]

Was the hood wet in the 2nd pic, or is that the hail damage ??
.

That is water from a recent wash at the collision center.

 

[KMiles]

I don't think that there is a better color than white when it comes to hail damage. My daughter-in-law has a white Subaru that has hail damage. On a visit to our house, I buffed out some black bumper scuffs off of her rear bumper and then did a complete detail of the car. When I finished and it was full glossy from the detail, I could see hail damage on the roof, hood and trunk. She had owned the car for a couple of years and had never noticed it. She had no idea if it was that way when she bought it used, as she couldn't remember a time in which it was in a hail storm. She honestly didn't care.