[rpoz-29]

The engine on my son's '04 Mazda3 was hydrolocked in a storm last Thursday. His insurance company had it towed to a Mazda dealer where they said it had water in the engine. A new engine from Mazda is $7800 installed. According to VA law, because his car is less than 7 years old, AND the damage exceeds 90% of the actual cash value prior to the damage, it will become a "nonrepairable vehicle". That means if he takes salvage on the car, he can't put it on the road. His insurance company is required to tell DMV and they will void the title, and remove the tags. I could understand it had the car rolled over, or hit a tree, but not for mechanical problems. Any insurance experts out there?

[rpoz-29]

The price of $7800.00 was from the dealer. The dealer also quoted a used engine installed for $6,600.00. I found an independent shop that quoted a price of $4,000.00 for a used engine installed. Apparently, this is some sort of Virginia DMV rule, but only for vehicles of "the current model year, and the six preceeding years". He'll get $7200.00 for the car totaled, 90% of $7200.00 is $6480.00, so it won't hard to get under that 90% rule, if they'll allow it. Darned if I understand it. Thanks for the help Karen.

Bill