by Guest » Mon Jun 15, 2009 05:14 pm
Our family was hit head on by a sleeping driver. USAA is the at-fault ins. our car is '07 Honda Odyssey EXL/RES/Navi with 43k miles. Orig. estimate was just over $13K, with additional supplementals now at $16,100; stated ACV from appraiser is 23K which puts us right at 70%...with rental expenses already @ $1500 for 4wks and no work started, that should double to ~$3k total; plus DV; plus they say they can get $4200-4500...why won't they declare a total loss. I do not want this vehicle back after they clip the front, it will never protect us in a another head on crash like it did this time! Please advise as to how I should proceed! NC resident
Thanks!
Thanks!
Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 12:56 am Post Subject:
Sorry for the delayed response...I took a mental health day and didn't make a single phone call about the van.
No, we haven't authorized any repairs. I had scheduled my ins to do an estimate, until the BS told me that they were a drp with my co. and NOT the at-fault co, so they said that I would not even get to the same $ amount with them due to the contract. So, I cancelled the evaluation.
Body shop clarified that they are not "clipping" the car only putting on sheet metal,etc from the other front end. They told me that the car ISN"T a total loss and I should do the repair and go for DV.
My husband's ready to try to redo the deal with appraiser for a check for amt of repairs + salvage sale= about $3 less than they say ACV is. I'm leaning toward letting them repair and hope that it opens a can of worms and we can get to total loss, but that's risky. I'm wondering if they are trying to "scare" us into taking that crappy deal by reducing the amt??
Still no hard copy of the appraisal and don't understand why. We've asked for it numerous times, had no trouble getting the initial estimate, just the one with the supplementals.
Also, wondering if a lawyer would be the next best move.
Hope I covered all of the follow-up questions! Thanks so much for taking the time to offer your expertise and advice!
Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 11:13 am Post Subject:
so they said that I would not even get to the same $ amount with them due to the contract. So, I cancelled the evaluation
I don't understand what this means? The body shop told you that your own carrier wouldn't pay them (the shop) as much? As the other carrier whom they are a DRP for? Is that right? First off....ahemmmmmm got to throw up the BS flag here.......secondly call your carrier back, and tell them you want them to look at your vehicle...every carrier has their set of rules, re: what it takes to total a vehicle...could be your carrier has a higher salvage bid contract..or lower tolerance for totaling vehicles...either way, it doesn't cost you anything to have them do the estimate and ACV evaluation on your vehicle.Body shop clarified that they are not "clipping" the car only putting on sheet metal,etc from the other front end.
Good, that's what I thought..They told me that the car ISN"T a total loss and I should do the repair and go for DV.
You have to remember something..Body shops are in the business to repair cars, not total them..The owner I worked for I swear thought EVERY car should be repaired, it really ticked him off when a vehicle totaled (still does)..This past year and the economy has hit the Body shop industry very very hard...I've seen shops closed or laying men off that have had a good business for over 30 years....so this is a slanted view, you have to understand that...Also remember they are not going to even consider your DV claim until your vehicle is done...and they can tell you 1k and make you fight that for five years to get more than that...it's not like a DV claim is a 'done deal'....I'm wondering if they are trying to "scare" us into taking that crappy deal by reducing the amt??
I don't think so...what crappy deal do you mean?Still no hard copy of the appraisal and don't understand why. We've asked for it numerous times, had no trouble getting the initial estimate, just the one with the supplementals.
Make sure that you notify the shop and the adjuster, (and follow it in writing-email is fine)...that you have not signed a repair auth...and you have no intention of doing so until you have had the opportunity to review the FULL estimate of repair...Also, wondering if a lawyer would be the next best move.
Attorneys will rarely take a physical damage claim on and it would cost you more than you would gain...(a third of your vehicles ACV if totaling is your goal)...so I seriously doubt that would be benefical in this situation...Have you checked NC's dept of insurance website to see if they address total losses, and total loss handling? What constitutes a total loss? What company do you have your policy with? Do you still have your company adjusters number?
Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 12:01 am Post Subject:
Chereiac, my email is mikeoftheozarks@yahoo.com Send your pics there and I would be glad to look at them.
Add your comment