Car crash fun. Not.

[Professor1]

Don't you just love Insurance? Our son crashed our car last week. We just paid it off a couple of months ago...D'oh!!
And as if that wasn't enough fun, they are going to screw us on the value of the car. There's no way we can get a comparable car for what they say. Isn't that the whole point of insurance? To be able to replace your property when it is lost/stolen/destroyed?

[supro7]

Sorry to hear about the car accident.

You mentioned this about the insurance:

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And as if that wasn't enough fun, they are going to screw us on the value of the car. There's no way we can get a comparable car for what they say. Isn't that the whole point of insurance? To be able to replace your property when it is lost/stolen/destroyed?
**

I've been through this a couple of times myself and with other family members. Maybe my unfortunate experiences can help a little here.

I spend a fair amount of time before I negotiate with the insurance company for a fair price on the lost car. They always start of with a low-ball, insulting offer.

I would first suggest finding out what that car is going for, has sold for recently, etc. locally and nation-wide.

Call dealers, go to autotrader.com. Then create a spreadsheet with details about how your particular car was better than the average you see for sale...and perhaps, how it was better than a specific one that is similar that you find.

I guess I am going into some details here...but I got hit by a Drunk...totalled a pretty nice Volvo, and recently my wife's Jaguar got hit and totalled...we got Thousands of dollars more from the insurance company than they orig. offered. I just presented a very clear case. And I politely told them that I wanted to settle it "between the two of us" Which, as you probably know, is passive-aggressive for I would rather not call my lawyer.

The adjustors job is to get the case off his desk fast...and if you can present a compelling reason why your car is worth more than they offer they WILL negotiate. Don't forget to include cost of a rental (they should have a daily allowance.)

I would also clean up the car before their adjustor sees it (if it's not too late.) I actually waxed my totalled Volvo before the adjustor came to see it (neighbors thought I was nuts.) The Trunk was smashed under the car, roof folded in half, seats screwed up...the thing had to be dropped in front of my house. But I wanted the adjustor to see what a nice car it was "cleaned up" and I know it made a difference.

In any case, I have more thoughts but this has already gone too long. Hope this was a help.

Good luck!

[Professor1]

Thanks for the tips. They already said that they don't care what the internet says, and they don't care what the dealers are selling them for used. ?? 2 days ago, they sold a car exactly like mine for 2 k more than the insurance said was possible.

But they said they would take newspaper ads. So I gotta get some together for them.

[supro7]

Professor,

I think that Autotrader.com should count as "newspaper ads". They publish a paper version. The internet is a reflection of their print version. It worked for me. I promise. I don't remember the insurance company right now off hand that took them as fair evidence but my wife would know. I'll ask her. It was one of the top 10 one would recognize.

I found the exact car from autotrader, I printed out the ad and faxed it to them. I said, "I want to be able to buy this car but with what you are offering me I can't. Not to mention the fact that my Jag had NEW tires, a PREMIUM stereo, all records and on and on. I even called some of the people selling the cars and got details that helped. (seems like a lot of work..but when else can you make a few grand in 3 hours work) How is this a "replacement value." You might as well offer me 25 bucks. What is YOUR number based on?

Some stupid book?

That is Blue?

What does that mean to me. I don't care what color your book is.

I really don't.

What does that have to do with anything.

Right now. In the REAL world. In Seattle.

I need to replace this car. If you can find me a like vehicle for the price you are offering then we have a deal. But right now it looks like you are looking out for your self-interest not for the integrity of the deal." Looking out for their own "self-interest" is a no-no my lawer tells me. I like to verge on legal-ease occationally so they know that I am actually one of the 5% who would rather give my money (little as it may be) to my lawyer than to them.

Keep fighting this one.

I believe you will get a fair amount. You just have to be the squeeky wheel that gets the grease (sorry for cliche.) I am always very polite but VERY firm. I don't believe they can give you a deal that you believe is unfair. They can't FORCE you to settle. You have to agree to settlement. So, they basically intimidate you and tell you they have these rules (sorry for typos...It's been a long day) but you can overcome them (or at least I have been able to.)

Don't give up! I am new to this board but see that you are very active and I have already learned from your posts. If I can "give back" a little and help you present a case please ask me questions...or email me off-line [e-mail] (unless perhaps our discussion can help others on this board learn how get a fair deal from the insurance adjusters.

I AM NOT suggesting we take advantage of the situation. But I do believe they try to take advantage of it. People like us probably negotiate/settle maybe a half a dozen auto-insurance claims in a life-time...they do that by noon every day!

Again, sorry for long email.

By the way, is it your insurance company that is offering this low-ball or is there another insurance company doing the settlement. It doesn't matter much...just curious. Although if it is your company, I would suggest calling your agent and telling him/her that the product you actually bought (which is the relationship with the adjuster when things go bad) isn't very good. And if he/she wants your continued business you recommend they place a phone call to the adjuster and have a little conversation. Or give me the number. I'll call!!! At this point you have me worked up.

Oh my goodness...I went on for another paragraph.