by msvarghese » Mon Aug 04, 2008 09:47 pm
My 1997 Toyota Corolla was in an accident recently in the Omaha, NE area (68128) and Progressive (my insurance company) "totaled" the car at $2, 520, which is far less than KBB value. This value supposedly includes all fees & taxes, and is still subject to my $250 deductible. This car has current KBB value of $3700.
We bought this car 2 years back from a local dealer for $4250 and in a months' time we had to spent $1750 for changing the transmission belt. I spent a lot on this car and finally according to Insurance people its valued only $2520.According to claim representative, this was totaled before as well which is an unknown fact to us. We had clean title from dealer and even Car fax didn't show that it was totaled. The surprising thing is that Progressive offered insurance quote based on a clean title. I don't know how would they change their records to double-totaled now when we are at receiving end.
We talked to the local dealer and he is still saying that our car was of clean title. At the same time, Progressive is going to send us report which shows it was salvaged. I do not know where to proceed further. I spent around $6000 on that car (excluding taxes) and the totaled value of $2520 can no way compensate that.
Please let me know how I can proceed further...or which is the best way to get the things cleared...
Thanks!
We bought this car 2 years back from a local dealer for $4250 and in a months' time we had to spent $1750 for changing the transmission belt. I spent a lot on this car and finally according to Insurance people its valued only $2520.According to claim representative, this was totaled before as well which is an unknown fact to us. We had clean title from dealer and even Car fax didn't show that it was totaled. The surprising thing is that Progressive offered insurance quote based on a clean title. I don't know how would they change their records to double-totaled now when we are at receiving end.
We talked to the local dealer and he is still saying that our car was of clean title. At the same time, Progressive is going to send us report which shows it was salvaged. I do not know where to proceed further. I spent around $6000 on that car (excluding taxes) and the totaled value of $2520 can no way compensate that.
Please let me know how I can proceed further...or which is the best way to get the things cleared...
Thanks!
Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 10:06 pm Post Subject:
Most insurance policies have an arbitration clause wherein you both hire an independant appraiser and the appraisals are submitted to a referee. This may be an option.
What State are you in? Our State clearly has salvage title stamped on the title if the vehicle was previously deemed a total loss and then rebuilt and returned back to service.
Check the Auto Trader and clip ads of comparable vehicles. Send your adjuster a demand letter along with the clippings and advise them how much you want to settle the loss for. Total losses are completely negociable and the first offer is always the lowest in the "range" given by the supervisor. Sharpen your negociation skills and do everything in writing as opposed to telephone negociation. Good luck and remember that the one who can hold out the longest usually wins the battle. An adjusters worth is determined by how many files they can close in a month. You can use that to your advantage if you like. It would not be unusual to get a favorable settlement negociated on the last few days of the month as that when the adjusters compile their closing logs......hint hint.....
Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 11:43 pm Post Subject:
difference between you and I is that I didn't hide (for months) one of my 'side line' jobs, while preaching over and over that 'services' benefits, including multiple times telling posters to 'google' it...Don't think anyone hear would say that I've ever concealed the fact that I'm an adjuster paid by an insurance company Mike...once again if you can't see the difference between the two...same as above...big difference between presumed diminished value on a repair and a total loss!
Hide? You would certainly like to make it appear that was an underlying motive since it serves your purpose to discredit anyone that disagrees with you.
I do not and did not solicit diminished value referals from this site, I make no bones about the fact that I provide that service for people seeking it locally only. I recommend vehicle owners consider the option and seek counsel in their area. You continue to distort the facts as usual. It is, in fact, less than 3 percent of my business. Sorry that a reputable post repair business that aids consumers to total compensation sticks in your crawl. If insurers paid for quality repairs and did their own post repair inspections to ensure vehicle owners are made whole instead of looking for cheap fast repairs, the motoring public that suffers damage due to the negligence of others would never even remotely consider seeking DV or have the perception that a wrecked car is not the quality and value of one that has never been damaged. But then, the motoring public is the one that perceives or has came to the conclusion that their vehicles with damage histories are worth less than those that have none.
I have seen vehicles that were totals that were certainly repaired to a higher standard than many repaired at insurance preferred shops that were not total losses. It's not so much that the prior salvage bothers people, they just do not feel they should have to pay as much for a vehicle that has any accident history, totaled or not. I tend to agree with the majority of the driving public. Your allegiance to your industry clouds your perspective.
Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 09:47 am Post Subject:
Hide? You would certainly like to make it appear that was an underlying motive since it serves your purpose to discredit anyone that disagrees with you.
Who besides you?I make no bones about the fact that I provide that service for people seeking it locally only
yeah, AFTER I googled it and found out and confronted you about it...prior to that NOT ONE MENTION OF IT...find the thread where YOU came forward and stated that...you won't cause you didn't! You FINALLY admitted it, after, well you were busted...and that took a day or so as I recall...Sorry that a reputable post repair business that aids consumers to total compensation sticks in your crawl.
It doesn't stick in my crawl at all in fact I think it sounds like a good side line for someone like you, what sticks in my crawl is your inital deception....that I believe would still be going on had I not exposed you...If insurers paid for quality repairs and did their own post repair inspections to ensure vehicle owners are made whole instead of looking for cheap fast repairs
Maybe you should look back at your prior post there, Mr. Diminished value expert....you have said that regardless of the parts used, and the repair quality (even your repairs :shock: ) these vehicles have still suffered dv claims...so that really has nothing to do with it in your opinion...I'll agree and have always agreed a crappy repair reduces value of a vehicle, but who's fault is that? When I say crappy repair I mean the quality of the work...not the parts used....But then, the motoring public is the one that perceives or has came to the conclusion that their vehicles with damage histories are worth less than those that have none
For the millionth time it's a perception, and if body shop owners of all people want to perpetuate the perception that they cannot repair a vehicle without causing dv...well what can I say?I have seen vehicles that were totals that were certainly repaired to a higher standard than many repaired at insurance preferred shops that were not total losses. It's not so much that the prior salvage bothers people, they just do not feel they should have to pay as much for a vehicle that has any accident history, totaled or not. I tend to agree with the majority of the driving public
I agree with you that I too have seen (and driven) many well rebuilt totals...however...I disagree that they are not worth less especially in the public eye...the mere meaning of total in most states says that 80% or more of the vehicles ACV was damaged, that is a lot of damage to people that don't understand collision repair...Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 09:57 am Post Subject:
900500, you must work for a different company(s) than I have...
Total losses are completely negociable and the first offer is always the lowest in the "range" given by the supervisor.
I have no 'range' given by a supervisor on physcial damage claims...ever..bi's sure, pd never...and a supervisor is not involved at all unless there is an issue......An adjusters worth is determined by how many files they can close in a month. You can use that to your advantage if you like. It would not be unusual to get a favorable settlement negociated on the last few days of the month as that when the adjusters compile their closing logs......hint hint.....
While I will agree the only good claim is a closed claim, and that of course there are a ga-zillion stats, I disagree that an adjusters worth is determined by their closing ratio, also no month end closing logs at the companies I've worked for....does the adjuster want to close it...damn skippy, but I think you've put more emphasis on that than will hold up, however, good ploy and worth a try I guess, if the company the OP is dealing with is so bent.Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 10:48 am Post Subject:
July 18, 2008-Should've bailed out long ago, others warned me and said I was talking to a brick wall and a door knob. I'll be sure to not let the door hit me in the backside on the way out of here.
Gee Mike, how did I get that impression?Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 10:54 am Post Subject:
I never said I would completely leave, I said I would be back after Progressive insurance lost their case against Mr Cocarro, which they did.
No they didn't it was dismissed and they (per the report I just googled and read) have appealed...(and apparently Mr. Coccaro's name is spelled like this c-o-c-c-a-r-o)Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 02:19 pm Post Subject:
Can someone tell me how I can get my VIN history checked by DMV? I want to look for Cars, but don't want to end up in the same situation again.
Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 03:28 pm Post Subject:
Maybe I did say I would leave, so what. Are you afraid of people challenging your distortions or opinions. Maybe I might have decided to not participate in an open forum, but since you always are never satisfied without lobbing a personal attack, I decided to come back and defend positions. I wouldn't want to give anyone the idea or you the satisfaction that you ran me off. You remind me of those people that wait for someone to leave a room so you can begin assasinating their character.
You can play that deception card and natter away all day about it, I responded to posts to people that had questions on DV. You sleuthed me out and exposed me? Too funny! You should get out of the everyday claims business and get into csi work perhaps. You missed your true calling maybe.
Dismissed with Prejudice
Round one goes to the little guy against the mighty goliath with the huge purse. Right prevailed over might! This is how some insurers attempt to silence their critics, bury them in legal defense fees.
Chalk one up for those with integrity!!
Judge Tosses Progressive's Fraud Suit Against New York Body Shop
8
/6/2008 11:46:57 AM
New York body shop owner Greg Coccaro can mark one in the industry's “win” column after a New York state Supreme Court judge yesterday tossed out a fraud case filed against him by Progressive Insurance.
Coccaro and his Mercedes-Benz certified collision repair facility – North State Custom Auto in West Chester County, NY – were accused by Progressive of committing fraud in charges for work performed by North State on a customer's vehicle in 2005. After three weeks of testimony from the defense, New York Supreme Court Judge Mary Smith dismissed Progressive's case with prejudice, meaning the company cannot bring any new action on the claim again. One deciding factor in the case being thrown out was that Progressive issued North State a check for the repairs that didn't note any protest toward the cost.
Progressive spokeswoman Cristy Cote said Tuesday the company was not happy with the case's outcome.
"We are disappointed in the court's decision to dismiss the case, and we plan to appeal," she said.
Coccaro said that he was “elated with the judge's decision,” and is “extremely grateful and touched by all of the support and encouragement shown by fellow members of the collision repair industry.”
Coccaro was defended by industry attorney Erica Eversman and New York attorney Tony Mamo. Several collision repairers testified in defense of Coccaro's workmanship, invoicing and character, including Mike Orso, president of the New York State Auto Collision Technicians Association (NYSACTA).
“That was a true David and Goliath battle,” Orso said of the trial. “This is a huge win for the little guy and a huge win for our industry. If Progressive can do this to Greg, they can do this to anyone.”
Orso was scheduled to testify for the defense regarding the repairs completed by North State Custom, as well as to offer an opinion on the repair and invoicing.
“I was retained early in this case and had not known Greg previous to this matter other than as a face at NYSACTA meetings. When I traveled to New York City to inspect the car I had no idea what I was in store for,” he said. “After 15 years of Wreck Check post repair inspections I have about seen it all. This Mercedes was as close to original as humanly possible.”
Ed Kizenberger, NYSACTA Executive Director said Coccaro made the association "proud."
"He stood tall and never wavered,” Kizenberger said. "It is a testimony to his character that he never backed down and remained true to his principles. North State has and always will be an example of standing strong for what you believe is right.”
Coccaro did not receive any compensation from Progressive but has the option to file a suit against the company. Mamo and Orso have noted that Coccaro spent thousands of dollars building his defense.
Coccaro is also suing Progressive for alleged steering.
Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 05:59 pm Post Subject:
Even if you are able to obtain a current DMV history in your State there is no guarantee that it will contain all or any accident information. The only way to be certain is to hire someone to do a prepurchase inspection. If the seller refuses to allow the inspection you know what you should do.
Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 07:51 pm Post Subject:
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Can someone tell me how I can get my VIN history checked by DMV? I want to look for Cars, but don't want to end up in the same situation again.
msvarghese, let me know what state you are in and I'll do some checking for you....prior poster is right this won't show accidents at all, but should show ALL title transfers, and totals, if they 'wash' the title in other states, then it could be a problem finding it but you can with diligence...let me know your state, and I'll see what I can find out for you...Add your comment