[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 headers are holding up fine. As for the car, under "Code of Virginia-Title 46.2 Motor Vehicles-Section 46.2-1600 Definitions", it explains what that 90% rule is regarding "non-rebuildable" vehicles. Met Life wants him to surrender the title, and accept the $7,200 for his car. Their appraiser has concluded it needs an engine, (used, installed at the dealer), which is around 92% of the pre-claim value. He offered to pay the difference, ($195.00), and Met said it's against the law, he told them to drop the claim, and start it over, and Met said they couldn't, it was already in the system. They only got one estimate, refuse to contact the independent shop that will install a used engine for around $4,000, or any other installer. My son's argument is that he can't replace his car for what they've offered, and Met is willing to spend over $3,000 more to total the car than to repair it. And the fact that according to Virginia, it can never be used on public roads again. He can keep the car, and get $5,200 but he has to surrender the title to get his money. Then, they'll issue the "non-rebuildable" certificate. I offered to pay him the $2,000 difference and put the car on racing Junk, hoping someone would buy it as an IT car or something. I think he'll lose eventually, but he's fighting the good fight.