12-17-2010, 05:11 PM
This will be a big problem for you. Almost all auto policies disclaim coverage for diminution in value and will only pay you to repair the car unless it is totalled, in which case they will pay you actual cash value, itself a term of art. A better option is to sue the driver who struck you, since diminution in value should be an element of damage. Whether his insurer will pay for this is another issue but at least you have a chance. He may have other assets but this is a long shot. Sorry about your bad luck - same thing happened to me (although that was a 1996 C4, not a rare beast like yours.)