Insurance company cheating me?(legal question)

What is the name of your state? Arizona.

Some guy backed into my car in a parking lot and caused about 2,800 damage to car according to my estimate or 2,500 according to his insurance adjuster.

Because the damage is higher than the value, and the car is 15 yrs old, even though it runs fine and has a rebuilt engine and transmission the insurance is trying to junk it and pay me wholesale which is about $540. The car still runs fine after the accident, needs both doors on driver side replaced/fixed but nothing else is wrong, is used for business/work and my only means of transportation .

Can the insurance company just decide the car is junked to avoid paying for the repairs? And is there any other recourse other than sueing?

[racer72]

The insurance company does not and will not repair your vehicle. You can pay to fix the vehicle yourself and cancel your claim. Or you can let the insurance company total your vehicle, buy it back and fix it. You might get a couple hundred dollars from them. But the car will have a salvage title and will be worth nothing anyway. You will lose if you sue.

Insurance companies attempt to settle claims for the lowest dollar amount possible. The less informed the person is who is making the claim the greater success of a lowball figure. You are entitled to the fair market value of your vehicle--not Wholesale value. FMV can and does differ among the same make and model of vehicle based upon the condition of the particular vehicle and the region in which it is sold. I would recommend that you do some independent research to find out the FMV of your vehicle. Automobile body repair places can be helpful in given you an estimate of what your vehicle is worth. Don't be quick to settle and don't take the insurance companies word for the FMV of your vehicle. Do some research yourself.