What is a 15 yo salvage title worth?

by eluc » Fri Jan 30, 2009 09:59 pm
Posts: 9
Joined: 30 Jan 2009

I bumped a vahicle at the school. I wanted to take care of it, but they filed a claim with my insurance. They are going to "total" her vehicle again. I know the title is salvaged because it has 24 vin# hit on Nada. It has extensive front end damage. (No grill, hood does not close.) It 15 yrs old. What kind of pay out are they looking at? I am sure they will keep the vehicle.

Total Comments: 20

Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2009 06:12 am Post Subject:

Eluc, if you have caused the damages to the other driver you are liable to compensate him for the losses, and the title of the car must not bother you, rather you should be glad that the car is salvaged, the pay-out will be really small.

Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2009 06:32 am Post Subject:

Since the car has deemed totaled by the insurer they'll only pay the actual cash value of it, which is likely to get affected with the salvage title. A salvage title of the car is likely to reduce the value of the vehicle by 25% ( approx).

Which state are you in? Is there a bodily injury claim too?

Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2009 11:51 am Post Subject:

I know the title is salvaged because it has 24 vin# hit on Nada.

huh? I've been at this over 20 years never heard that one...VIN's NEVER change...meaning when a vehicle is totaled the vin does not change...the title changes but NEVER EVER the VIN, please explain what you mean by this?

What kind of pay out are they looking at? I am sure they will keep the vehicle.

We'd need to know yr/make/model/mileage/options if it truly does have a salvage title which with a 15yr old vehicle won't hurt it much maybe 100-200 bucks...

You bumped it and knocked the front end off? or was that already gone?

Any vehicle regardless of appearance, age and title status that can make it down the road is worth a min. of 500-1k, as basic transportation, this is a regional thing (value of basic trans)...so I'd say you're looking at a min of 500 which of course if likely a chargeable accident resulting in a rate increase for you (sorry)...let us know the particulars and we will be in a better postition to help you...are they claiming injuries as well?

Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2009 02:57 pm Post Subject:

The car is a 94 buick Skylark. It has EXTENSIVE front end damage. The hood does not close, there is no grill, there are dent on the sides, ect. ect. When I pulled a vin check, it has been reported to the DMV 25 times. (I am guessing that it means it has been hit or something 25 times.) I am sure it is a salvaged title because there is no way with that much damage that it is not. There was no one in the vehicle when I backed up into it. I went from a complete stop to barely taking my foot off the brake when I touched her vehicle. She would not let me pay her for the damages, she went behind my back and filed with the insurance. Her vehicle has about 150000 miles on it and I am being generous with that guestimate. I think it will it has way more. I am sure she will keep it, so I know they will take the "salvage" amount out again. I offered $100. I am just hoping the insurance company does not offer too much more!! She knows I did not do this damage. And I know karma will one day bite her in the butt!

Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2009 03:00 pm Post Subject:

I am in Texas.....The police report states prior front end damage. And that damage it only to the "front right bumper only" My insurance company (AIG/Century 21) said it was possible I did the damage. Physically I do not believe so. But they were going to total her car and pay her without ever seeing my vehicle. I had to argue with them and insist they see my vehicle. They did, asked where the damage was, and then said I did. I am just waiting for this claim to close then I am outta there. I am going to use a Local Texas insurance company!

Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2009 03:50 pm Post Subject:

When I pulled a vin check, it has been reported to the DMV 25 times. (I am guessing that it means it has been hit or something 25 times.

No that is ANYTHING that had to do with the title, including transfering of ownership address changes etc...although I'm sure many of those 25 VIN hits are accidents for sure...

There was no one in the vehicle when I backed up into it.

Thank your lucky stars for that one!

She would not let me pay her for the damages, she went behind my back and filed with the insurance

You can still do this is your want to...talk to your adjuster about it, and ask them to let you know the settlement amount prior to them paying her...that way you can make the decision if you want to pay it or not....I've handled many many many claims over the years like this.

I offered $100

What damage EXACTLY did YOU do to the vehicle?

I am just hoping the insurance company does not offer too much more!! She knows I did not do this damage.

Ok so you backed into her front end then? Your carrier should (if she is saying you did all the damage) measure both vehicle AND certainly look at your vehicle, they further should be able to tell old from new damage, be sure you push this if you think they are rubber stamping this deal..Further your carrier should be running an ISO on her car, which will show prior claims, they can then contact the carriers and find out about the damage (whether she owned the vehicle then or not)..

And I know karma will one day bite her in the butt!

You got that right!

The police report states prior front end damage. And that damage it only to the "front right bumper only"

This is good news although certainly not conclusive..

My insurance company (AIG/Century 21) said it was possible I did the damage

Well it's also possible I did the damage. But I didn't...do you think the adjuster is being lazy?

But they were going to total her car and pay her without ever seeing my vehicle. I had to argue with them and insist they see my vehicle. They did, asked where the damage was, and then said I did.

Ok you need to really get in someone butt here and quickly...it is insane (and bordering on unfair claims practices) to pay this claimant when the insured is in dispute about the damage they caused without even looking at the insured vehicle...I would call back and ask for the adjusters manager...

I am just waiting for this claim to close then I am outta there. I am going to use a Local Texas insurance company!

I agree, but this claim IS going to affect the rates you get at another carrier..no question about it...

Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2009 04:39 pm Post Subject:

I can not see how thney can legally do this. The poster has to have some rights here. If there is evidence from the police report only showing bumper damage, they can run a check for past damages and they can tell old/new damages then why would an insurance company up and pay for a totled value? I can not imagine another bumper equaling the totaled value therefore they insurance company would be throwing money away.
Whos Butt does she get into so someone listens to her? I can see how she is upset. It sounds as if this person is looking to profit. We have had people hit our ancient (1994) s-10 by accident a couple times and never even took money..of course it was a work truck but we do not carry insurance so we can get every dime out of another person.
I have no doubt the $100 she was offered would have picked up a bumper at a salvage yard and left money over. Geeze.

Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2009 08:09 pm Post Subject:

I have called the supervisor of my adjuster and like my adjuster, she never called me back. When I told my adjuster I wan unhappy and was disputing the claims she said, "You can not pick and choose who we pay." When I said I would be leaving AIG after this and it was her fault, she said "That is fine!" I bet she hates her job!! I had to ask the "Loss Adjuster" if she worked for AIG because she seemed real urgent to pay this lady out. She would not talk to me, told me to call my adjuster. My adjuster did not know what damage they were claiming. Just front end. She said she ordered the accident report but never got it. On, and on, and on! EXCUSES, EXCUSES...I am aware that this will affect my rates. Up until this "accident" I have had a Squeaky, Clean Driving Record. This totally sucks. The worst part is that I have to see this woman EVERYDAY at school!! She knew what she was doing. You can tell when people know how to work the system. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me!! I will never make this mistake again. Next time I will use my cellphone to document everything!!

Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2009 11:52 am Post Subject:

"You can not pick and choose who we pay."

She's right about that...but SHE has to do an investigation!

When I said I would be leaving AIG after this and it was her fault, she said "That is fine!" I bet she hates her job!!

Yeah well I'll bet she's hearing that alot especially with all the trouble they've been in..(although not the ins segment of the company)

I bet she hates her job!!

Clearly

I would file a complaint with your states dept of insurance...explain the situation, all websites for these state agencys that I have looked at have on line complaint forms. They have a duty to do a propery investigation...wait, prior to that I'd call the 'main' AIG number and do my damnest to get to the VP of claims...be very kind and chose your words carefully...Your complaint isn't that they paid, but they did not do a proper investigation, did not even inspect your vehicle when you were disputing the claimants damages. In truth an extra hour or two measuring these vehicles would've cleared this up, and THEN if indeed it were possible then they would've had to pay it...but there then would've been proof it was owed...They are contractual bound to protect you but that in no means paying claims willie nillie...please document date/times etc. that you have called that no one's called back etc...please let us know what you find out and if we can be of further assistance, this adjuster was just being plain lazy, and i CANNOT stand lazy.... :x Please be assured this is a minority sampling of those in my field.

Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2009 02:46 pm Post Subject:

I still can not see why the are so unwilling to look into something like this when it would be costing the company extra money..Isn't everything usually about the "bottom line"? A little more investigation time could really add up in savings for the company and the insured.
Eluc, You should really go ahead and do all you can to try to get this looked into. Since it will effect your rates I would do as you are doing and try to get my voice heard.

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