Make sure the adjuster is aware of them, some may add alittle to the value while other may not (such as the floor mats etc)...The only option you don't have is dual rear wheels! that dog was loaded huh? I'm real sorry about this I know you will have a devil of a time finding a truck you like as well.....Is this close to the value you found?
re: clean up...again ask you adjuster about this...they should be able to cover it either under your comp or your liablity coverage. They should also haul the truck out of the field. Same with the neighors fire extinguisher.
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Is this something I should try to use to my advantage when negotiating my final price?
Well, believe it or not one thing to your advantage is it's a total burn, meaning they cannot argue condition. Because there is no evidence that it wasn't in whatever condition you tell them... After they give you the amount if it sounds reasonable then move on with it. If for some reason it does not ask for a copy of the evalutation so you can double check that ALL options, condition etc, the adjuster has listed, (garbage in garbage out you know) . It's not uncommon for an adjuster to miss something...If they are not diligent at the site while inspecting they may be too embarrassed to call and ask you and 'guess' at it , I know, I know, I don't understand it either but I've sure seen it happen. They HAVE to (at your request) provide you with the means they used to assess the ACV. My system is adding for nearly everything however it is docking -$900.00 for mileage.
Did you ask about the sales tax? Please let us know what you find out and if we can assist in any way. _________________ Have you been helped by a poster? Do you want to show your appreciation? YOU CAN !! Just simply click on the donate button and send them some coin!
After looking at alot of trucks on the internet and at lots locally, I thought my truck was worth 12,500 and 13,000. You are right my truck was absolutely perfect, no body work needed, no mechanical work needed. I am very picky about my truck. I do have some pictures from March that shows my truck in the background, so I can prove the outside was in great shape. I know I don't think I could replace it for anything less than that. I searched for almost a year to find the right truck when I bought it.
I will request from him how he came up with his number unless it is at the number I think it should be, which is at least 12,500 plus money for the hitch, sales tax, clean up, fire extinguisher, and other minor things listed in my previous post. I really have my mind set at not less than 14,330.
I did not include the following items I would like them to cover:
Wet Okole custom seat covers 450
Catchall custom floor liners 250
Garmin GPS 60cs and mount 500
I would really be satisfied if they cover all of these items for a total of
15,530. I did bring all of these to the adjusters attention and he said he thought he could do something on them, but couldn't cover any of the other items in the truck, personal, tools, etc..
What is the normal time to get something like this settled? I called the claim in on 6-21, when should I expect something from them? The only reason I care is because I need to buy another truck and am going to have to finance the truck I have went and picked out. I don't want to do all of the financing and then two days later have to go back to the bank and change things. I am trying to wait until I settle with Shelter and put that money down on the truck. What do you think is the best move. I obviously can buy the truck without the check, but can get a better rate if I am putting more of my own money in it out of my pocket. I can only go a few thousand without having the check for my other truck.
One other thing, the adjuster said he didn't have any idea of what caused the fire and he wasn't going to pursue it since it would cost alot of money to do so. The new ( to me ) truck that I am going to buy does not have the same motor in it that my old truck had. I would like to have the same motor, but am afraid that there is something wrong with them that is being kept quiet. How do you really find out when there are bad things with certain vehicles that haven't had recalls done on them. I was told by a technician at the ford place that the speed control recall on my truck should have included replacing the seal at the sensor and not just the wiring harness, but not enough claims had been filed to make a recall needed. It seems like the consumer is the one paying the price. I certainly don't get to hide screw ups in my line of work, you just step up to the plate and eat them.
I will keep you in the loop with what is going on.
Well, then looks like I was right in the ball park re: value, thats good...
Ok Jerry, first you need to take the sales tax out of this, do NOT include that in the amount you want for the truck...cause he owes you that regardless dependent upon how your state allows him to handle it...could be paid directly to you, or perhaps in a sales tax credit....that is a non-negotiable item...he HAS to pay that...
This hitch is kind of 'ify' to be honest...the argument could be made that the truck is actually worth less because there is a hole in the bed floor...Don't get me wrong I think you should certainly ask for it...Another thing I want to make you aware of...Check your policy...many (most) will have something in them about "Custom Parts'' or CPE (E= endorcment)...if you do not have this endorsment then most policys will have a 'cap' or limit of 1k...for 'extra' parts...so if that's the case then 1k is the MOST you could get..ok? Your state/policy may not even have this limit, but it might......just want to give you a heads up if the adjuster mentions it...
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I did not include the following items I would like them to cover:
Wet Okole custom seat covers 450
Catchall custom floor liners 250
Garmin GPS 60cs and mount 500
ASK for these! They may be a negotiating tool! Be prepared though he can't (shouldn't) give you their cost, because they are depreciating items...but something is better than nothing...
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What is the normal time to get something like this settled?
You know this is tough to say, and is TOTALLY (up to 30-90 days) company specific, the company I work for expects these (total losses) settled within 48 hours of an inspect . Remember though I told you in the beginning some companies require a credit report etc...on total burns, and total vehicle thefts...Shouldn't though take more than a week - 10 days AFTER he looked at the truck...
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I am trying to wait until I settle with Shelter and put that money down on the truck
You shouldn't have any trouble with them...well I don't know how they work in your state, I worked for Shelter from 86-97, and they (fortunately) had long disbanned their ''fire unit'' when I left...(I also have ALL my insurance still with them ) Shouldn't take you too long, this is a ''captive'' agent company, so if you think they are taking too long your agen WILL have ''some'' pull...They used to (when I worked there now, been over 11 years ago) require a credit report, but even at that shouldn't be too long...Listen you need to know something else, they will NOT be paying you with a check...they will issue a bank draft...they take 3-10 days to clear, however, if it were me I'd just endorce it over to them....Don't blame the company for that, it's a state thing..
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One other thing, the adjuster said he didn't have any idea of what caused the fire and he wasn't going to pursue it since it would cost alot of money to do so.
Good, and he's right it does..however had your credit report came in bad, or if you were acting 'shakey' or bugging him about 'give me the money' he might've, which would be no skin off your nose other than it slows down the claim..
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How do you really find out when there are bad things with certain vehicles that haven't had recalls done on them. I was told by a technician at the ford place that the speed control recall on my truck should have included replacing the seal at the sensor and not just the wiring harness, but not enough claims had been filed to make a recall needed
They call those, 'techincal bulletins' manufactors issue technical bulletins, that really in effect say, ''well there sure have been a lot of complaints about this particular thing so if owners come in with it, replace it at our cost, but there just haven't been enough complaints to MAKE us issue a recall" If you have an 'in' with a Ford service guy have him look for tech. bulletins on that motor...or check the Ford sites, but use that phrase...rather than 'recall's.(they may call them 'technical service bulletins')...
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I certainly don't get to hide screw ups in my line of work, you just step up to the plate and eat them.
Preachin' to the choir brother Jerry!
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I will keep you in the loop with what is going on.
Please do...has he given you any indication of the ACV yet? What about movin' it from Uncle's pasture? Have they done that? Do you have enough personal property lost to make filing a homeowners claim worth it? _________________ Have you been helped by a poster? Do you want to show your appreciation? YOU CAN !! Just simply click on the donate button and send them some coin!
I finally got a call this morning from the adjuster. He offered me 11,300 for my truck and said that would include everything. I told him that him and I weren't even on the same planet about pricing. I did ask him how he came up with the price and he told me that they have a company that searches for vehicles for them to get pricing. I told him that in my opinion that was comparing apples to oranges and that my truck was as clean as any on the road and as mechanicaly sound as any on the road. He asked me what I thought it was worth and how I came to that conclusion. I told him I had been looking at autotrader.com, cars.com, ebay, and locally. I also told him that NADA pricing on my truck was 12,300 for clean retail and 13,370 for a truck in excellant condition. I did not give him a total number that I thought I would settle for since I think it is his job to offer me something. I made sure that I told him my opinion wasn't personal, but I just wanted a fair price for my vehicle since that is what I am paying premiums for. I don't think that I should settle for a truck that wasn't at least equal to my truck.
I couldn't get him to give me a break down over the phone, but he said he would try to email it to me and that he would do some checking and get back with me tommorrow.
he told me that they have a company that searches for vehicles for them to get pricing
yeah, it's CCC,
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I couldn't get him to give me a break down over the phone, but he said he would try to email it to me and that he would do some checking and get back with me tommorrow
. Try-Fly, he can fax you a copy of the CCC print out be prepared they are about 20 pages or more...Look it over VERY carefully, because they are very EASY to screw up...(the old garbage in garbage out thing)...When you get it make sure first that you check the model/yr/options/mileage etc...I'm betting he's missed something...Let us know after you get it...
He is right in that if you disagree with his assessment you need (and did kind of) to 'prove' your value...just print out what you found etc...let us know when you get the print out in the meanwhile do some gathering of data yourself...when you get the report AND INSIST THAT YOU GET IT QUICKLY..He can fax it to your agent's office...take your time looking it over...then let us know..there will be comparative vehicles should be within 50 or 100 miles of you...make sure they really are comparative...We'll be waiting to hear...remember....don't make it personal...when a company's adjusters have to use these programs (we hate them too) they can't just say, 'ok' here you go...whatever you want...he has to have docs to back up what you are contending...alright? ok... _________________ Have you been helped by a poster? Do you want to show your appreciation? YOU CAN !! Just simply click on the donate button and send them some coin!
I did get a copy of the CCC report today. My truck is described right I believe, but the vehicles they are comparing my truck to don't list the same options as mine and aren't even the same model (Lariat) as mine. The adjuster called me back later in the day to make me another offer, but it still wasn't much more than he offered me first. I told him that I wasn't going to accept the comparisons for the value of my truck that they had picked out. I again told him that he could go to autotrader, cars.com, or ebay motors and do a search for my exact vehicle and the pricing was right in line with what I felt like the truck was worth. The adjuster also told me that he checked NADA and said my truck was only worth 10,800. I told him I didn't know what he was doing different, but I had checked NADAguides.com and the value I came up with was 13,375 for high retail and 12,350 for clean retail pricing. I told him if we needed to get together and look at the same screen I would be glad to do that. I also told him that I was buying a truck tomorrow, because I couldn't wait on him anymore. I even told him if he thinks my truck is only worth 10,800 then he could go buy me an equal truck and I would take it, but it was going to have to be equal or better than my truck. He said he would have to talk to his boss again and would get back to me tomorrow. He also hasn't given me anything for my hitch or any of the other items on the truck, such as seat covers, floor liners, GPS. I told him I understand that I did not have personal content coverage on the truck and that was my fault and I would eat all of the content, but I wanted him to cover the hitch since it was permantely attached to the truck or show me why it is not covered. I also reminded him that I have let the truck stay where it burned at to keep them from having a storage fee and he said he would remind his boss. I reminded him that if it was his vehicle he would want the same thing that I want to be treated fairly and given a fair value. I told him that I was moving on and buying a truck tomorrow and would not take a penny less than 12,350 (NADA clean retail), 800 (80% of hitch value), sales tax credit, and then he could take my 500 dollar deductable out. I also reminded him that I was prepared to wait as long as they were on settling this. I requested that if he could not get to my number tomorrow that I wanted them to move the truck to a storage facility and clean up the mess. He said he would try and get the truck moved, but danced around the clean up. I feel like they should clean up all of the mess and make it like it was before the truck burned, am I correct in assuming this?
I did notice on the report that they listed my truck as local market value of 10,880 and under vehicle condition, value impact was $0 and there were no ispection notes.
How can I send a copy of the report to you to look at?
Thanks again and I will keep you in loop of what happens tomorrow.
The adjuster also told me that he checked NADA and said my truck was only worth 10,800. I told him I didn't know what he was doing different, but I had checked NADAguides.com and the value I came up with was 13,375 for high retail and 12,350 for clean retail pricing.
NADA is the program I used (not the on-line version this is an insurance company verison)..the price I gave you was, ''ADJUSTED CLEAN RETAIL'' That is what the company I work for uses....If he came up 10,800.00 using nada something is very wrong...He can't be that far off without having left off a high option like 4x4 maybe ?
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The adjuster called me back later in the day to make me another offer
You didn't say what this ''other'' offer was Jerry...his inital offer was 11,300 without any consideration of the additional equipment right? What is his offer now, and it still does or doesn't include hitch, gps etc...(sorry i'm getting a little confused)..
Regarding hitch, dash mt'd gps and other parts...It's my understanding (after reviewing shelter MO policy, so could be different but I doubt it)...When a vehicle is a total loss there is no special limit on the added equipment it is included in the ACV if the parts are permanently attached. Policy defines permanently attached as , attached to the vehicle by welds, screws or bolts. If attached by or to with wires or other fastening devices they are not considered permanently attached...So anything meeting that defintion should be considered and added to the vehicles ACV of course it will not add what you paid for those items but should be 50% atleast...
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How can I send a copy of the report to you to look at?
I was just wondering this myself...(I'm no computer guru believe me )...How did he get it to you? Did he email it? or fax it? Something is wrong here...
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did notice on the report that they listed my truck as local market value of 10,880 and under vehicle condition, value impact was $0 and there were no ispection notes
Let's try and figure out a way I can see this....
I think he has to pay for the fire eq. because the policy says you will be paid the reasonable cost you incur immediately after a covered event to protect the decrobed auto and its equipment from further damage. He would owe you clean up ''if'' there is/was a charge that you (as the insured) would be held legally liable for...and there is..Tell Uncle to prepare a bill or get a bid from someone to clean up the mess. Or have Uncle get a bid, (as an example) for say 500 bucks from "Joe's clean up" and tell him Uncle said he would do it himself for 300 thus saving Shelter 200 bucks....(if that's ok with you and uncle)...now it may be that this is (per their company standard) a reimbursement deal...meaning it has to be paid then they pay you back...but I think if there is truly a mess after it's towed then it needs to be cleaned up...also if I were you, I'd slip in there that Uncle is getting pissed, (especially if he isn't going to get paid to clean up this mess) and wants to be paid 10bucks a day storage himself, because Shelter didn't PROMPTLY move the truck....(don't say it ugly and make it sound like it's all ''grouchy old uncle")...I've actually paid these before...
Ok Jerry just to be clear....are you $1050.00 apart from his offer or $1850.00? Also honestly unless that hitch is like two years old or less I think you're a little high on the 80% thing...could it be cleaned up and moved to your new truck? Now If the hitch were the only thing damaged and they were paying you for a damaged hitch...that's different than actually how much that adds to the vehicles ACV. Also (as previously mentioned) some other minor additions may need to be added if they meet the critera of permanetly attached...exactly how far are you apart? _________________ Have you been helped by a poster? Do you want to show your appreciation? YOU CAN !! Just simply click on the donate button and send them some coin!
Sorry it took so long to post, I went camping with the family since last Thursday.
I got two more offers from the adjuster on Wednesday with the highest being 13,345. I had told him I would accept nothing less than 12,350 for the truck, 800 for the hitch, 741 for sales tax (6%), minus 500 for my deductable for a total of 13,391. He said they wouldn't cover any of the other items, so I have filed a claim with my homeowners and it is going really well so far. The adjuster for Travelers called me within 30 mins after filing the claim and was very helpfull with my policy coverage. She didn't have a problem with any of the items I had told her that were in the truck or their values. I didn't mention before that my hearing aids were in the console because I considered them personal items along with the other things I lost in the fire. She sent me a spreadsheet the same day to help me compile the information she needed and told me what to gather on proof of the GPS, hearing aids, wedding ring. She also said she could get the claim settled as soon as I got the spreadsheet back to her.
I really didn't mean to complain earlier, but the Traveler's adjuster has her game together and I guess that is what I expected from Shelter since I have been with them for 24 years and have never had a claim that was my fault.
I am going to try and settle with Shelter tomorrow or Tuesday if he will go to 13,391, pay for both ext, pay for the clean or have it done, and make sure I won't have a bill with the fire department. Do you think what I am asking for is right?
I will keep you informed on the Travelers claim as soon as I get the spreadsheet back to her (hopefully Monday) and she makes me an offer.
Am I missing anything that I should be asking for or getting covered?
I think you have it all covered Jerry, glad your HO adjuster got on it quick...sorry the Shelter adjuster has been a disappointment...Did you find out how your sales tax in your state is paid, and are you sure 'his' offer included the sales tax? (I would NEVER quote an ACV that included tax without says so).... _________________ Have you been helped by a poster? Do you want to show your appreciation? YOU CAN !! Just simply click on the donate button and send them some coin!
The sales tax in Arkansas is 6% on any used vehicle. If the value of the vehicle is less than 2500 you don't pay any sales tax. The adjuster is including the sales tax amount in what he offered me. That is how he tried to trick me on the first two offers. The first offer he did not include sales tax in the amount and then on the second offer he included it in the amount. It sounded like more money until you put a pencil to it and then it turned out to only be 500 more. I am going to talk to him in the morning. I have really appreciated your help in this matter and hope the rest of it goes smooth. I will keep you informed as I progress.
Hope all goes well Jerry, let us know _________________ Have you been helped by a poster? Do you want to show your appreciation? YOU CAN !! Just simply click on the donate button and send them some coin!
that dog was loaded huh? I'm real sorry about this I know you will have a devil of a time finding a truck you like as well.....Is this close to the value you found?
After they give you the amount if it sounds reasonable then move on with it. If for some reason it does not ask for a copy of the evalutation so you can double check that ALL options, condition etc, the adjuster has listed, (garbage in garbage out you know) . It's not uncommon for an adjuster to miss something...If they are not diligent at the site while inspecting they may be too embarrassed to call and ask you and 'guess' at it 
, I know, I know, I don't understand it either but I've sure seen it happen. They HAVE to (at your request) provide you with the means they used to assess the ACV. My system is adding for nearly everything however it is docking -$900.00 for mileage.
