Yeah, I had a similar thing happen after a rear-ender totaled my old Accord. I thought all my receipts for brakes and new battery would help, but nope—adjuster just checked mileage and snapped a few pics. Felt like all that maintenance didn’t matter at all. Guess it’s just about the “market value” at that point, not what you put into it.
I hear you, but I’ve actually seen a few cases where maintenance records did make a difference—especially if you had something major done, like a new engine or transmission. It’s rare, but sometimes an adjuster will bump up the value a bit if you can really prove the car was in above-average shape for its age. That said, yeah, most of the time it’s just blue book and quick photos. Feels kind of unfair when you’ve just sunk cash into it, doesn’t it?
I get where you’re coming from, but in my experience, especially with higher-end cars, the maintenance records can actually carry a bit more weight than folks think. When I had my S-Class totaled, the adjuster took a closer look at my service history—dealer stamps, recent major work, all that—and it did help nudge the payout up. It’s not a guarantee, but if you’ve kept everything documented and the car’s in pristine shape, it’s worth pushing back a little. Don’t just accept their first offer; sometimes they’ll reconsider if you show them receipts for big-ticket stuff like suspension or electronics work. Still feels rough losing all that investment, though...
That’s interesting to hear about the maintenance records making a difference. I always assumed insurance just looked at mileage and general condition, not the detailed history. Is it really common for them to review all those receipts? I’ve been saving mine but wasn’t sure if it mattered.
Yeah, hanging onto those receipts actually can help, especially if you ever have to prove the car was well cared for. I used to toss mine, but after a friend got a higher payout because she had every oil change documented, I started saving them too. It’s not always the first thing they ask for, but it can tip things in your favor if there’s any debate about value. Doesn’t hurt to keep a folder just in case.
