If your car has been damaged in a crash, one of the decisions you’ll need to make — unless it’s been totaled — is whether it’s better to have it repaired or to buy a new one. There are a number of factors to consider. Some are financial. Others are more emotional.
First, determine how much it will cost to get your car repaired. If the crash was another driver’s fault, their insurance should cover all of the costs associated with the repair.
What if the at-fault driver was uninsured or their coverage doesn’t cover your expenses? If you have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, your insurance should cover them.
Even if you decide to buy a new car, you may want to have yours repaired so that you can get a better trade-in price for it. Many people decide to buy a new vehicle after a crash because they no longer feel safe in their current one.
Even if the accident wasn’t your fault, you may want some additional safety features that can warn you if a car is in your blind spot or crossing behind you in a parking lot, for example. Sometimes, if the accident was traumatic, people have a difficult time getting behind the wheel of their current car again.
If cost is a factor in your decision about whether to buy a new car or keep yours, you’ll want to look at the annual cost of maintaining your current vehicle versus the new one you’re considering. Sometimes older cars simply end up costing so much to maintain as various elements of them break down that a new car may be more cost-effective.
If you’re having difficulty getting the compensation you need and deserve after a crash with another driver who was at fault, it may be wise to consult with an attorney. That’s particularly true if you suffered injuries in the crash. An experienced attorney can help you recover the money needed to handle medical bills, physical therapy, lost wages and more.