The situation

Illustrative example. Not a real job or customer.

In this hypothetical, a man in his sixties dies of a medical emergency while sitting in his parked sedan in a quiet lot during a warm stretch of summer. He is found the next day. After the medical examiner and police finish, the car is towed to a storage lot, and the family is told it has been released and storage fees will start accruing.

  1. His spouse calls their auto insurer to report the loss and asks whether comprehensive coverage applies and whether storage fees can be addressed quickly.
  2. The adjuster asks for an inspection and suggests getting an estimate from a provider that handles vehicles.
  3. A provider inspects the car at the lot. The driver seat cushion, seat belt, floor carpet and padding are contaminated, and odor has entered the ventilation system.
  4. The estimate lists replacement of seat foam and covers, carpet, the seat belt assembly, cabin air filter and cleaning of vents, plus parts installation by a mechanic.
  5. Comparing that estimate with the car's value, the adjuster offers to treat the car as a total loss.
  6. Before the car goes, the family asks the provider to retrieve personal items from the glove box, console and trunk, cleaned and bagged.

The family accepts the total loss and receives the personal items, including a pair of reading glasses and papers that mattered more to them than the car.

Steps that helped the family

  1. Report quickly.Reporting promptly kept storage fees from growing while decisions were made.
  2. Get an itemized estimate.A parts-and-labor list let the adjuster compare cleanup with the car's value.
  3. Retrieve personal items first.Asking for items before the car went to salvage avoided losing them.
  4. Let someone else visit the lot.A family friend met the provider so the spouse did not have to see the car.

Clean it or let it go?

  • IfThe vehicle is newer or valuable and contamination is limited to one areaThenCleanup and part replacement may make sense. Ask the insurer to approve the estimate first.
  • IfContamination reached seats, carpet, belts and vents in an older carThenAsk the adjuster about a total loss before paying for work.
  • IfThe family does not want the vehicle back for emotional reasonsThenSay so to the adjuster. Selling it after cleanup or accepting a settlement are both reasonable choices.
  • IfThe vehicle is leased or financedThenTell the lender. They may have requirements about repairs or payoff.

General information for the Denver area, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.