NEED HELP WITH INSURANCE ADJUSTER

[Bird]

In years past, a teenage daughter totalled a car and in 1999, my wife totalled a car. In neither case would I have been willing to sell those vehicles for what the insurance company paid, but I also know that they were fair in what the cars would have been worth if I'd wanted to sell them. And a few years ago, a young lady rear ended my pickup when I stopped behind another vehicle at a stop sign. The dealer "estimated" a higher amount than her insurance company estimator, but they worked it out, and I wasn't out anything.

I guess people paid by the insurance companies are supposed to try to save the company money, but as some others have said, I think they're usually fair.

 

[two_bit_score]

Ya right!

A tenant who was moving out tried this one on me years ago. Wanted me to give them money for the half tank of oil in the cellar. In a very polite voice I said "No thanks. You can take it with you."





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Two very different situations. In the insurance case the insured is paying the insurance company to indemnify him for his financial loss in the event of a covered claim. Part of your financial loss is the value of unused fuel left in the vehicle. The same as the brand new tires that you just put on it would be some additional value. The insurance companies have been able to get away with not paying fir the remaining fuel for years but as the price goes up people are beginning to see that a tank full of fuel as some value and they are beginning to ask for it to be considered in the value of the vehicle.

I think they are right in asking for it.

 

[ray66v]

I think the air bags are a big clue on if the truck will be totaled. Hopefully Ray will come back and give his opinion.

I stopped guessing the cost of a repair, a long time ago.

Yes, air bag deployment usually adds a significant amount to the cost of a repair. The amount varies from vehicle to vehicle considerably.

Each manufacturer has a list of "demands" that they dictate are required be replaced, in the event of a deployment. This is where they reap big profits. Some manufacturers are reasonable, some want everything including the kitchen sink be replaced. The insurance companies have little choice but to comply.

In the event it's a total loss, and the OP decided to fix the truck after buying it back for salvage, he does have the option of used parts in the air bag system, or even eliminating the air bag system all together. The ability to do any of this varies by state.

Those are options the insurance company does not have.

The same repair job can be figured lots of different ways, straightened parts, new parts, aftermarket parts, or used parts.

This is why it's important to decide what you want to do, so they can try to accommodate you.

 

[duke7595]

pictures of the truck

 

[Bird]

I'm not even close to knowing costs for repairing vehicles and when they would total one, but just from a personal view, that truck sure doesn't look like it would be totalled; just replace some front end parts and the air bag system and should be good to go.

 

[duke7595]

Hello sir,
That's what I thought but their is frame damage and the front parts such as lights brackets , ect are sky high in price.
You would think a truck with only 57,00 miles on it would not be totaled, not to mention the replacement values are all in the $13,900.00 range

 

[ray66v]

Hello sir,
That's what I thought but their is frame damage

That cost should not be significant, based on what I see in the photos.

 

[duke7595]

Well, according to the adjuster the damage is and he has suggested to the comp.
the truck is totaled . Come Tue. or Wed. I will be contacted and given
an amount they feel the truck is worth. This is what scares me, being low balled
and unable to replace the truck.

 

[Bigfoot62]

. . . I realize this is hard to give me a answer, but I am not to informed with how insurance companies work these days and would appreciate any input from the members. The adjuster will be here this Friday and I am not real comfortable with this. I sure would like to here from you guys before the adjuster arrives. . .

If you live in a rural area, you can probably dispose of his body where nobody will find it. :laughing:

Seriously, you've already been given great advice. I've been down this road twice, with two different insurance companies. Once with my insurer on a comprehensive claim for storm damage to a camper trailer, and once with another company for a liability claim. (we were hit from behind)

Look up the Blue Book value. The online sites mentioned are OK, but if you want the real deal, ask your banker to look it up, and print it out. (NADA retail value) Have that on hand when the adjuster calls you back with an offer. And, remember, it is an offer. It probably will be a low-ball. After all, it's his job to save the company money. He works for them.

Also, if you use a local insurance agent, contact him/her. A good agent will be interested in making sure that you are satisfied. He/she will want to keep your business.

 

[two_bit_score]

Well, according to the adjuster the damage is and he has suggested to the comp.
the truck is totaled . Come Tue. or Wed. I will be contacted and given
an amount they feel the truck is worth. This is what scares me, being low balled
and unable to replace the truck.

It's borderline by those pictures. Could go either way. You will be Lowballed if they offer to total it. Does that truck start? Can you put it in gear and make it move forward and reverse?

The low miles will help on the value amount but ......

Ask to see their value report and check every detail to make sure they got everything exactly right. If you have maintenance records submit copies and ask them to consider them for value. Normal maintenance is expected but a well maintained vehicle with records to back it up is usually worth some more.

Start trying to locate some local comparable vehicles that are for sale or recently sold and see if those prices are in line with what you are told by the insurance co.

Try to get them to identify any vehicles they are basing their value on and if they are local, go look at them and see if they are in as good condition as yours.

I did this for a client once and the vehicle the insurance company represented as "just exactly like" his was no where near like his. It had damage, both repaired poorly and unrepaired, had been used by heavy smokers and had a rough, dirty, burned interior. it looked great in the pictures on autotrader.com. Ever notice how the vehicles are always wet in all those pictures?

After I wrote up a full report on my inspection the settlement went up about $2500. Which wasn't enough in my opinion but he was happy enough.

 

[ray66v]

Well, according to the adjuster the damage is and he has suggested to the comp.
the truck is totaled . Come Tue. or Wed. I will be contacted and given
an amount they feel the truck is worth. This is what scares me, being low balled
and unable to replace the truck.

If the insurance company does not want to fix it, but you do, you have 2 choices.

1. Let them total it, buy it back, and fix it.
2. Ask them to write it at 75% of the value, (that is the threshold they usually stop at when they total a vehicle). And, you will accept that amount as full compensation. Then, you can fix it, but you will be liable for the entire bill, and perhaps some out of pocket expense.

The second choice is preferred because you will not have a salvage title. (If they do that in your state).

Ask the shop for what is called an agreed price to fix it. This means they will take care of whatever additional damage is found, without charging you more than the price you agree to. If they need work right now, they may be open to doing this.

Used, or aftermarket parts are concessions you can make to lower the repair cost. But, tell them you still expect them to warranty the entire job for at least a year.

If you fix it, you have a vehicle you know, vs. buying another one, and not knowing if it is reliable or not. Some people find this worth paying a little out of pocket to do.

 

[duke7595]

TO RAY66v,

First, thank you for your input, you have many years, and experiences in this subject
and certainly know your business.
My question to you is why would this guy insist on totaling this truck?
I have to agree, their dose not seem to be enough damage for a total but
he seems to think their is.

Do you have ant other advice when dealing with the adjuster when he calls me?
I don't want to keep beating a dead horse or bore anyone but this is my primary
means of transportation.

sincerely, Duke

 

[aczlan]

My question to you is why would this guy insist on totaling this truck?
I have to agree, their dose not seem to be enough damage for a total but
he seems to think their is.
Do you have ant other advice when dealing with the adjuster when he calls me?

Ask for his calculations via email or fax so that you can go over them before he calls. When my Volvo was hit, they sent me an itemized estimate for everything that needed replacing along with prices for each item, comps for my car and a salvage estimate ($50).

Aaron Z

 

[duke7595]

RAY66v Thank you very much I really appreciate you helping me

sincerely, Duke

 

[s219]

If the insurance company does not want to fix it, but you do, you have 2 choices.

1. Let them total it, buy it back, and fix it.

Make sure your state will also let you continue to register/drive the vehicle. My mother-in-law's car was totaled when a tree fell on her carport during Hurricane Irene. The damage was purely cosmetic, but enough that it cost more to fix than the car was worth. She bought it back from the insurance company for $2500 and kept driving it, happy as a clam. But about 6 months later, she got a letter from the Virginia DMV telling her that the car was no longer eligible to be legally registered and driven on public roads! She complained to the insurance company, and they gave her the money back then hauled off the car.

This was the first I heard about totaled vehicles no longer being eligible for registration in Virginia (heck, many of the vehicles I see on the road everyday are far worse than my mother-in-law's car looked after the tree fell on it). One of my buddies is a cop, and he suggested it is as much due to concern about fraud as it is a safety issue.

 

[aczlan]

Make sure your state will also let you continue to register/drive the vehicle. <SNIP/>
This was the first I heard about totaled vehicles no longer being eligible for registration in Virginia (heck, many of the vehicles I see on the road everyday are far worse than my mother-in-law's car looked after the tree fell on it). One of my buddies is a cop, and he suggested it is as much due to concern about fraud as it is a safety issue.

NY allows you to re-register, but you must tow it to an inspection station and have them check the VINs there to make they are all there and that they all match. Your title then is stamped with "Salvage" or something to that effect.

Aaron Z

 

[Bird]

In Texas also, you can get a "salvage" title and register a once totalled, then rebuilt or repaired vehicle.

 

[duke7595]

Thank you for your information I will be sure to ask for the value sheet and look at any vehicle they may have in mind as a replacement.

I should know something by Wed. will post the results.

Duke

 

[ray66v]

TO RAY66v,My question to you is why would this guy insist on totaling this truck?

I have to agree, their dose not seem to be enough damage for a total but he seems to think their is.

It's business, and it's about the $.

How it seems, and how we feel are not primary considerations. If the shop, and the appraiser can't, or won't work with you, it becomes more difficult.

Make sure your shop knows you want to fix the truck, if they want the work, they will have to come up with an equitable way to do it.

Do you have ant other advice when dealing with the adjuster when he calls me?
I don't want to keep beating a dead horse or bore anyone but this is my primary means of transportation.
sincerely, Duke

My last post was the best advice I can give you right now.

The worst part for most people is, once they declare your vehicle a total loss, your going to have a very limited number of days to find a new one. Because they will stop paying your rental bill. (Assuming you have one).

 

[kootch88]

Remember, adjusters will steal from you just like anyone else. Think of them as used car salesmen without the ethics.

You may have the right to hire an independent adjuster, but probably not worth the money.

You know, I've been in this business for 20 years and I never once stole or tried to screw a single individual. Are there particular companies who are less inclined to be fair? Absolutely, but most cases are decided by book value as a base and then condition comes into play. Perhaps you had a bad experience with an adjuster, well, we have all had bad experiences with different people, but that doesn't mean a majority are the same.

A lot of others actually had valid responses, I suggest you take the educated responses.