Wife got in an accident today - Need Advice

[9973720wb19]

go to a shop you like. In certain states, insurance companies can not force you to go to anyone other than one of your choice. once you have a repair estimate give it to your insurance company. they will probably do their own estimate which will probably be less. don't agree to settle for the estimate by insurance company. take the insurance company estimate back to shop and ask them to review it. in my case my insurance company used labor rates that were three years old and called for some used parts - things only my shop would be able to point out. your shop will be able to push back better than you. and many times the shop will settle (do the work) for what the insurance company will pay after some negotiations good luck...insurance will make you run around

 

[tomplum]

I had Progressive and was rear ended a few years back by another Progressive driver. Claims were paid w/o question. Their contact wasn't in a hurry to see me sign off for medical issues either. A good experience for me.

 

[HawkinsHollow]

Wife just got off the phone with the insurance agent. Sounds like they are going to total it. I do not know details because I am at work and we just texted me about it. She said that they are going to come pick up the car BEFORE they tell us what the payout is, does that sound like standard operating procedure? Seems kind of weird to me. Why would the state of the car matter to payout.

 

[jjeff]

OkJoWife just got off the phone with the insurance agent. Sounds like they are going to total it. I do not know details because I am at work and we just texted me about it. She said that they are going to come pick up the car BEFORE they tell us what the payout is, does that sound like standard operating procedure? Seems kind of weird to me. Why would the state of the car matter to payout.

Imo I don't know what larger insurance s.o.ps are nor can I thoroughly recall my only total loss 15 or so yrs ago. If they pick it up before a check is cut you can't really argue with them on value dealing with condition of vehicle if it's not in your possession dealing with them knocking off certain things for the value. Not saying that they would pull that but I don't trust "regressive" after two experiences with them.

 

[jjeff]

And last I checked there damage appraisers were all college educated with no real world experiences in auto body or mechanical repair.

 

[HawkinsHollow]

Imo I don't know what larger insurance s.o.ps are nor can I thoroughly recall my only total loss 15 or so yrs ago. If they pick it up before a check is cut you can't really argue with them on value dealing with condition of vehicle if it's not in your possession dealing with them knocking off certain things for the value. Not saying that they would pull that but I don't trust "regressive" after two experiences with them.

Yeah that was my thought. If the car is gone I feel like we are in a disadvantaged bargaining position.

 

[jjeff]

However I'm assuming they don't want to pay exorbitant storage fees on a totaled vehicle.

 

[9973720wb19]

Wife just got off the phone with the insurance agent. Sounds like they are going to total it. I do not know details because I am at work and we just texted me about it. She said that they are going to come pick up the car BEFORE they tell us what the payout is, does that sound like standard operating procedure? Seems kind of weird to me. Why would the state of the car matter to payout.

That does not seem correct to me, but conservable that insurance companies do things differently. I would think you should have a right to keep your car and have it repaired with the settlement check and your own funds. Why would the insurance company want your car? To sell it as totaled and get some money back? Seems it would cost the insurance company additional money to deal with your car...I can't understand why they want it. It's your asset, titled in your name...they can't tell you what to do. I'd push back and tell them - to pay you for the assessed value and you'll get it fixed by adding your own funds. I have a 2001 BMW that was totaled at 5k, but that car is worth more to me and it's cheaper to keep it than get a new car. My insurance company gave me 5K and I added $1,600 additional cost and had it fixed. I believe you could decide what to do.

 

[Torvy]

Normally when a car is 'totalled' the insurance company cuts you a check for the value (less deductible) and they take possession of the car. They then try to get something out of it for scrap, parts or selling it at auction with a salvage title.

They aren't cheating anyone as they gave the value (less deductible) as stated in their contracts. Once they pay you for it, it is theirs to dispose of. Some will let you keep it or 'buy' it back.

 

[HawkinsHollow]

Normally when a car is 'totalled' the insurance company cuts you a check for the value (less deductible) and they take possession of the car. They then try to get something out of it for scrap, parts or selling it at auction with a salvage title.

They aren't cheating anyone as they gave the value (less deductible) as stated in their contracts. Once they pay you for it, it is theirs to dispose of. Some will let you keep it or 'buy' it back.

You didn't read my post very well. The wife says they want to come pickup the car BEFORE they cut us a check.

 

[LD1]

You didn't read my post very well. The wife says they want to come pickup the car BEFORE they cut us a check.

I think you are overreacting. ITs not like a craigslist transaction and they are trying to scam you. IF they are indeed totaling it, you will get paid.

But, I also believe that it is your right to decline if you so choose. However most people dont want a wrecked and totaled car sitting in their driveway any longer than necessary.

And it could also be that they want to talk a closer look at it to determine if they are going to indeed total it. Or perhaps hook a computer to it and download the history leading up to the crash....like accel/decel braking, etc etc. Think "black box data" to perhaps aid in their investigation/battle to try and prove your wife wasnt at fault so they can can force other insurance company to pay

 

[ponytug]

You didn't read my post very well. The wife says they want to come pickup the car BEFORE they cut us a check.

I do not think that is appropriate. It becomes hard to settle the value. Since they aren't accumulating storage fees in your driveway, it is not unreasonable to ask that all of you settle on a dollar value in writing before the pickup. Stress on written, with details.

All the best,

Peter

 

[jjeff]

You can always ask them why they are taking it before cutting you a check, I'd take pictures of it and somewhat document it before it's picked up. Believe I said earlier when my taco was totaled I took off the receiver, and toolbox cuz they weren't including it in there final payment. Also know your trim level and any OEM options. Don't let them try and doc you on value claiming previous damage or mechanical issues if there was none. I definitely do recall them asking about the condition of the tires (both front ones were torched and flat) after the fire, somewhat rightfully I guess, I remember them grilling me on questions on condition before the fire. They finally cooled there jets after I notified them of a security camera on property where it burned the fact I grabbed a fire extinguisher from work making a valid attempt to extinguish it, and if it could somehow be repaired. I feel regressive will take full advantage of less mechanically knowledgeable folks I won't use or recommend them to anyone.

 

[Torvy]

You didn't read my post very well. The wife says they want to come pickup the car BEFORE they cut us a check.

Sorry, wasn't really replying directly to your post. Just pointing out what 'normal' is in that industry.

I don't have direct experience with Progressive total process, they are a pretty well-known company. It's not like they are going to steal it. Like most companies, they will be more concerned with their own bottom line before yours.

 

[dodge man]

I’ve had two cars totaled out over the years. When you do a value on Kelly Blue Book they ask you for the condition. There is an excellent category and they say less than 5% or some other small number is that nice. My cars and trucks are in that category. It’s tough to get them to give you top dollar but it’s possible. One time when they came to give me a value on a car that was wrecked, not my fault, I had my 70 Challenger out where it could be seen and it was restored to a high level.

 

[jjeff]

Sorry, wasn't really replying directly to your post. Just pointing out what 'normal' is in that industry.

I don't have direct experience with Progressive total process, they are a pretty well-known company. It's not like they are going to steal it. Like most companies, they will be more concerned with their own bottom line before yours.

Definitely put there bottom line before yours I wonder what the training involved is for training a new college educated damage appraiser?
They definitely had the lowest premiums out there. I think they were the ones who briefly advertised the customer taking there own pictures of a fender bender using there app and sending them in, and bringing your car into one of there appraiser shops for minor body work like concierge service?

 

[ning]

Absolutely do not give the car up if they haven't told you the payout amount.

The payout amount should be the wholesale value of the car is-is, minus your deductible. If it's "totaled" the as-is value of the car is likely a thousand dollars or so.

In California you can bring the car back to a driveable spec and get a "rebuilt" title - usually called a "salvage" title as the car was salvage, and then was rebuilt. Some insurance companies will not insure these cars for anything past liability, some will go full coverage (whether or not it's worth the cost is up to you in that case). Other states have their own rules for this, and definitely note that insurers aren't required to cover cars they don't want to.

 

[two_bit_score]

Yeah that was my thought. If the car is gone I feel like we are in a disadvantaged bargaining position.

If the car is at your residence I would recommend you keep it there until coming to an agreement on settlement.

 

[two_bit_score]

The payout amount should be the wholesale value of the car is-is, minus your deductible. If it's "totaled" the as-is value of the car is likely a thousand dollars or so.

Most policies require the settlement to be based on the “actual cash value“ of the vehicle, not a “wholesale” value. But not a Dealer‘s “asking price“ either.

 

[two_bit_score]

Like most companies, they will be more concerned with their own bottom line before yours.

Correct!