(I couldn't find an insurance forum so I thought this might be a good place to get some answers)

My car was recently broken into. The passenger side front door window was completely smashed in (but that seems to be all the major damage) and there are minor scratches on the outside and inside of the door near the window. More than the outside, the inside (right by the window) is leather and has been frayed.

I am having the damage appraised in a few days, but I was wondering what to expect in terms of the scratches on the inside. The outside scratches can easily be touched up and will not be noticable at all, but the inside is leather and cannot just be "touched up" - despite being fairly minor (they are not very deep and not very long, but the leather has been clearly frayed in a few places). (For a better idea: picture a cut 2-4 mm deep and 1-2 inches long in several places - very noticable from anywhere in the car).

Since my A4 is a "luxury car", those scratches will no doubt affect the value of the car. And since I am leasing, I may have to "fix" them before I return the car.

What do most insurance companies deem as significant enough damage to replace the leather on the inside (on the door panel next to the base of the window - not the seat leather)?

Any information will be helpful before I meet the appraiser.

Thanks.

 

They should replace what was in good condition before the incident. When I had my truck broken into, the same thing happen to the pass. window, door panel, and dash where they tried to pry out my stereo. My insurance replaced my window, dash, and door panel.

 

Slee22 sounds right. They should replace your car back to the original way it was. The only thing they can really disagree about paying fully for, would be wear items on the car (ie: tires, brakes, clutch, etc...) I don't think seats fit that description unless they were torn apart everywhere else prior to this.

One more thing... I'm not an appraiser, but I am an Insurance Agent... what is your (compehensive) deductible for this? If it's $500-$1000 you may just want to pay it out of pocket as long as a new window/ seat doesn't cost $3,000. B/c it may screw w/ you down the road (for the next 3 years.... especially if you have had any other claims/ tickets in the past 3 years...) just something to keep in mind...

 

I agree with Daft, becarefull and make sure the damage is worth the claim. Sorry Daft, but I have been hosed many atime by the insurance agencies and claims. Oh, they will fix it and no it doesnt cost you anything.....right now! Down the road if you arent carefull you will end up paying for your claims.

 

Yea ATITUDE you def know what your saying. And thats a bummer that you've been hosed. One word of advice about insurance... YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. (most of the time thats true..) find a company that pays out their claims fast.