Same thing happened to me a month ago. First quote was $32,000. They quickly totaled it. Go online especially on Tesla’s website to find similar cars with similar miles. Make sure you expand the location search. Send screenprints to insurance once they say it’s totaled and it has been assigned to a loss specialist. Do the prints now! The cars do decline every week. You are out of a car today and why not be reimbursed based on prices today not two weeks when they get there act together to determine it is totaled and the lag before they pay out!
You could wait to see what they come up with in terms of a payout. My experience shows don’t wait. They had my research and when they did there’s and sent the report, it showed a big lowball. But with my research, they matched the price which was $8000 more than what there research did.
Also remember to ask for sales tax on that car that is similar. If the accident isn’t your fault then they must pay for that too. You will have to pay it!
One caveat, mine was a Facelifted 2016 90D model S. A lot of the comparisons were non Facelifted versions. This is the issue with Tesla changing features during a model year. They don’t know how to handle that as it hasn’t generally hasn’t been done before with other car companies. So again they could compare to a pre updated car you may have.
Finally, when I bought my new model S, I added new car coverage for the two years allowed by the insurance company. This replaces with a like for like and will prevent this whole hassle above for the first two years if god forbid, it happens again. Cost, $228 a year.
My accident was at high speed. Was on autopilot and it saw that two cars ahead was slowing. So the Tesla started to brake. The person was following too closely and nailed me at high speed. Everyone walked away fine. Safest car on the road.