My company, Integrity Insurance, pays out up to 75 - 80%?
Quote:
They pay out at 100% of the value
I think you just have your verbage wrong...american family must not total a vehicle until the repair cost reaches 100% of the ACV of the vehicle, and your carrier (like most) total a vehicle when the repair cost reaches 75-80% of the ACV...(not 'pays out' you had me freaked out there for a second! )
Quote:
I don't know if this will help?
It might and it's not going to cost you anything right? Why did not accept your data? Was it not similar vehicles? Generally if a person can prove their vehicle was worth more that is certainly considered....What was the reason they disagreed with your evaluation? _________________ 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!
Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 8:41 pm Post subject: Still going on
This claim is still going on and on and on. I have been providing information about the value of my vehicle by providing certified sales of my type of vehicle and have attempted to utilize an appraiser but my efforts have been fruitless. Please see what I've done to this point:
Subject: Problems resolving Claim # APV-739847 with Integrity Insurance.
Insurance Claim sequence of events for my 1996 VW Passat TDI VIN # WVHG83A2TE242930 / Claim # APV-739847 with Integrity Insurance.
The accident happened 2-17-08. I immediately reported the accident to my insurance company. Three vehicles were involved in the accident. The insurance carrier American Family Insurance initiated first contact. American Family represents one of the other two vehicles.
American Family Ins. contacts me scheduled a vehicle inspection and reports to me that my vehicle is not totaled and they tell me a check for their part of the damage in this accident has been sent.
Integrity Insurance claims representative Moria Blaney contacted me next and then accused me of “double dipping” because I didn't tell American family insurance not to send the check. There was no intent either expressed or implied or reason to assume any “double dipping” was taking place at that time she made the statement to me. I was further instructed by Integrity Insurance that I was not to cash the check from American Family because the check was a mistake on the part of American Family Insurance. As of today, April 23, 2008, I still have check # 10307 dated 2-21-08. I have not cashed per directives by Integrity Insurance.
Integrity Insurance informed me my Passat is worth $3,000.00 dollars and informed me that the vehicle was a total loss. I disagreed with this valuation total and stated that my vehicle was worth more than $3.000.00.
Integrity Insurance asked me to provide proof of my claim that my car is worth more than what $3,000.00.
I searched for proof by looking for comparable vehicles. A nation-wide search had to be conducted because finding comparable vehicles is not easy as only approximately 980 of these 96 Passat TDI station wagons vehicles were made for the North American market during this year. After this lengthy search for information as requested I was able to find viable sales of vehicles similar to my vehicle and I provided that information to Integrity Insurance as requested.
Integrity Insurance responds by simply stating that they can only use NADA and KBB for its valuation of vehicles. This response implied that the information that I provide demonstrating current market value had no worth. No explanation was given at any time why the information that I had taken time to find was not relevant.
Integrity Insurance claims representative Rhonda Eick informs me that the new offer is $3,125 and she provides information on utilizing a dispute process involving obtaining an adjuster to come up with the value of my vehicle. She then informs me that she is leaving on vacation. Rhonda didn't leave any contact person in her absence. I had to contact her to obtain additional information on who to contact while she was unavailable.
I followed up by asking representative Eick questions regarding the dispute process and she is not able to answer all of my questions. For example, she told me via email that after my adjuster submitted their report that the insurance company adjuster would come and look at my vehicle. I reminded representative Eick that they already had an adjuster inspect my vehicle and that a detailed description, including pictures, had already been established. She emailed me back and apologized for the confusion and stated that the original adjusters finding were satisfactory.
After two weeks of searching to find a company/person who could most professionally and accurately establish the value of a Passat like mine in good condition and with comparable mileage, I came up with the Nice Cars Company who specializes in these vehicles. Per my conversation with Integrity Insurance representative Eick, I had my adjuster send the information as requested.
I am then informed that Integrity Insurance will not use the information I have provided because a vehicle appraisal without physical inspection would not be acceptable.
I sent my adjuster many pre and post accident pictures, a full description detailing the condition of the vehicle along with the full condition report from the original adjuster provided by Integrity Insurance. Integrity Insurance did not conduct a physical inspection of the vehicles they utilized from across the country to establish their assigned value of my vehicle. I providing my adjuster, the Nice Cars Company, with all the details of my vehicle including service, maintenance, upgrades, etc and pictures as well. The information I provided to my adjuster is equal to or greater than the information utilized by Integrity Insurance to obtain the value of my vehicle.
The question remains, what was the value of a 96 Passat TDI Station Wagon in good condition. I have provided this information, as requested, but efforts have been denied throughout the process and I still do not have a whole vehicle which is what I have paid my insurance premiums for each month/year.
I find it difficult to understand how a reasonable person can say that the adjuster I have provided who specializes in sales of the make/vintage vehicle that I own would be denied.
My request has been, and continues to be, that I have provided proof that my vehicle (Pre-accident) is worth more than what the total damage claim is at approximately $4,500. I request that the proper value of my vehicle be re-evaluated utilizing the viable proof I have worked for months to provide Integrity Insurance with. The vehicle should not be considered a total and should not have a salvage title and appropriate payment for damages be made. I would also like my time and costs to be considered in this claim.
How do I proceed? I have made multiple attempts to provide all information requested and have done what was instructed only to have each attempt denied.
I can be contacted at xxx-xxx-xxxx or via email at kvoster2001[at]yahoo.com if further questions exist.
Do you have an estimate of the total damage on the entire vehicle (both left and right sides)? If so, I would take that number, subtract the $1350 from American Family, and subtract your deductible, then request the resulting amount from Integrity. I have trouble believing that they WANT to total your vehicle and give you a $3000 settlement if they could somehow reduce their exposure to this claim and only pay for part of the damage. The only problem I can see with that situation is if the repairs are unsatisfactory, or if more damage is found during the repair process, Integrity runs the risk of paying an excess of the original $3000 claim to make you whole.
How do I proceed? I have made multiple attempts to provide all information requested and have done what was instructed only to have each attempt denied.
At this point I think it's time that you file a formal complaint with your states Dept of Ins...did you 'formally' invoke the 'apprasial' claus of the contract (policy)...I'd do it in writing some how, either email or written letter...this will require an independent appraiser to actually look at your vehicle and come up with a value....check your policy first to make sure it's in there, (I've not seen an auto policy that didn't have the appraisal claus)....after the 'new' appraiser looks at your vehicle lets see if they don't come up with a substantially higher value...if there is no such claus for some reason in your policy then I'd file a complaint with your DOI... _________________ 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!
My insurance carrier does have the appraisal claus and I have started it. I didn't know at the time that I have to have an independent appraiser "physically" see the vehicle. I am disputing the value of the vehicle that my carrier came up with. I am not disputing the total cost of repairs.
I contacted a company in Washington State that I signed a contract with and they specialize in the sale of my type, year, etc. vehicle. They are the largest dealer in the nation with sales of my type of vehicle and can provide substantial proof of sales of these vehicles. So ... I thought that I would utilize them because they are the "experts" on the value of my vehicle (remember only 980 Passat TDI S/W made in 96).
My carrier says no because they have to physically see the vehicle. Why? They established the pre-accident value of my vehicle based on 3 similar vehicles that they never physically saw. They only had a description and pictures. Why cant the value of my vehicle (pre-accident) be figured the same way. I have provided a very detailed description of the vehicle as well as before and after pictures.
Furthermore, I believe that it is unreasonable to expect that I would be able to be without a vehicle since 2-17-08. I have begun to make repairs myself while I wait and wait for this claim to be finished. Now, an independent appraiser will not be able to physically see the damage on the vehicle except for in the many pictures I have taken. What do I do about that?
Sorry I'm so long winded/frustrated. Its jsut that this has taken an incredible amount of my energy and time and I'm tired.
My insurance company wants to take care of the total claim and then go after American Family for their portion of the responsibility of the damage to my vehicle. My carrier told me that that is the way its usually done and they don't know why American Family ins. paid for their part of the damage w/o contacting them (my carrier) first.
I am disputing the value of the vehicle that my carrier came up with. I am not disputing the total cost of repairs.
Yeah, I got that.
Quote:
My carrier says no because they have to physically see the vehicle. Why?
I agree with that, they cannot properly evaluate your vehicle without physcially seeing it..Think about it the other way around...if they were telling you your vehicle was worth 2k and never laid eyes on it you'd have a fit right? And you should. Did you talk with your carrier when you told them you wished to invoke (is it envoke or invoke? ) the apprasial clause? Does it say in your policy that you two have to agree on the appraiser and that they will share the cost? Or did you hire the appraiser then till them you wished to invoke the clause?
Quote:
My carrier says no because they have to physically see the vehicle. Why? They established the pre-accident value of my vehicle based on 3 similar vehicles that they never physically saw. They only had a description and pictures. Why cant the value of my vehicle (pre-accident) be figured the same way. I have provided a very detailed description of the vehicle as well as before and after pictures.
I see your point, but without seeing your vehicle (and they did inspect your vehicle right?) then the appraiser cannot acruately evaluate the condition of your vehicle...The pictures could be 'doctored'...However you make a good point, and one I would push is that (as I see it) there is no dispute regarding the condition of your vehicle right? The adjuster saw it etc...so the dispute is lying solely in the comp vehicles right? In that case (as you stated) they nor anyone has seen these comp vehicles...Did you contact any of them from the evaluation your carrier gave you? If not, I would if I were you...When I was ''forced'' to use CCC as an evaluation system I routinely called on them, because I would find the information on the report was generally inacurate...This could add a lot of points in your column.
Quote:
Furthermore, I believe that it is unreasonable to expect that I would be able to be without a vehicle since 2-17-08
I couldn't agree with you more.
Quote:
Sorry I'm so long winded/frustrated. Its jsut that this has taken an incredible amount of my energy and time and I'm tired.
I don't blame you a bit Kurt...don't apologize for being long winded, I am always, more info (IMO) is better than not enough...I think it's time, after one more try to file a complaint with your states DOI...seriously...
Quote:
My insurance company wants to take care of the total claim and then go after American Family for their portion of the responsibility of the damage to my vehicle. My carrier told me that that is the way its usually done
They are correct this is the way it is generally handled....But do they refuse to handle it separately Kurt? Have you ask that they only issue payment for ''their'' part of the damage and allow you to settle the PD with AmFam?
Quote:
and they don't know why American Family ins. paid for their part of the damage w/o contacting them (my carrier
IMO AmFam was just trying to do their job....and close their claim, I don't see that they did anything wrong at all. _________________ 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!
My carrier says no because they have to physically see the vehicle. Why?
I agree with that, they cannot properly evaluate your vehicle without physcially seeing it..Think about it the other way around...if they were telling you your vehicle was worth 2k and never laid eyes on it you'd have a fit right? And you should. Did you talk with your carrier when you told them you wished to invoke (is it envoke or invoke? Confused ) the apprasial clause? Does it say in your policy that you two have to agree on the appraiser and that they will share the cost? Or did you hire the appraiser then till them you wished to invoke the clause?
I did invoke the appraisal clause and was told to obtain an appraiser who should contact my Ins. Carrier with their results. I signed a contract with one and they provided my Ins. carrier with their findings but my Ins. carrier said they had to physically see the vehicle. My Ins. carrier said they get an appraiser and I get an appraiser who then discuss their findings and see if they can meet somewhere on the cars value and if they cannot then an umpire steps in and makes the decision and the decision is final. If I loose then I pay the all the costs for my appraiser their appraiser and the umpire .
Quote:
I see your point, but without seeing your vehicle (and they did inspect your vehicle right?) then the appraiser cannot acruately evaluate the condition of your vehicle...The pictures could be 'doctored'...However you make a good point, and one I would push is that (as I see it) there is no dispute regarding the condition of your vehicle right? The adjuster saw it etc...so the dispute is lying solely in the comp vehicles right? In that case (as you stated) they nor anyone has seen these comp vehicles...Did you contact any of them from the evaluation your carrier gave you? If not, I would if I were you...When I was ''forced'' to use CCC as an evaluation system I routinely called on them, because I would find the information on the report was generally inacurate...This could add a lot of points in your column.
My Ins. carrier did inspect my vehicle.
I would say you are correct in saying that the dispute is with the valuation of the comparison vehicles.
Who do you want me to contact to determine accuracy of the vehicle info? The CCC or the vehicle sellers?
Quote:
Sorry I'm so long winded/frustrated. Its jsut that this has taken an incredible amount of my energy and time and I'm tired.
Quote:
I don't blame you a bit Kurt...don't apologize for being long winded, I am always, more info (IMO) is better than not enough...I think it's time, after one more try to file a complaint with your states DOI...seriously...
What do you want me to try one more time?
Quote:
My insurance company wants to take care of the total claim and then go after American Family for their portion of the responsibility of the damage to my vehicle. My carrier told me that that is the way its usually done
They are correct this is the way it is generally handled....But do they refuse to handle it separately Kurt? Have you ask that they only issue payment for ''their'' part of the damage and allow you to settle the PD with AmFam?
I spoke to my agent about this and he said he has never heard of it being done this way. My agent went on to compare my accident to an accident in the fog on a bridge where there are multiple cars involved and you really cannot determine who is responsible for what and how much damage. My agent then stated its just not realistic.
Alright, I'm on vacation for 4 days .... thank GOD! I need a little R&R. I'll revisit this topic on Tuesday. Thanks, Kurt
Who do you want me to contact to determine accuracy of the vehicle info? The CCC or the vehicle sellers?
I always contacted the actual owners/sellers....and went over all details, ie options, prior damage, condition etc...
Quote:
What do you want me to try one more time?
After you have talked with the owners of the comp vehicles if there are differences than either what is on the report, or from your vehicle...and have they or thier independent appraiser submitted their report? If so what was that value? What I meant by one more try...was after getting all this information to them, if nothing changes regarding the value then I would contact the DOI, or if you are sick of this (and I don't blame you a bit) then go ahead and file the complaint now...they (your carrier) will only have a certain amount of time to respond to this complaint, just be sure that all of your hard work and documentation is in the hands of the DOI so they get a full scope of this ridiculous failure of your carrier to budge... _________________ 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 see only one of the 3 vehicles used in the "Local Market comparable Vehicles Detail" has a phone number. However, I do see that each of the vehicles they used are sedans and not wagons like mine. Sedan value differs than wagon value largely due to the fact that 5,600 sedans were imported while fewer than 980 wagons came into the U.S. I will post this in my complaint to the State Insurance Commissioner.
Another question. The "Local Market Comparable Vehicles Detail" uses various adjustments to obtain a value of my vehicle. One of the adjustments is called "baseline adjustment". It defined as follows, "Baseline adjustments are made when a comparable vehicle's condition varies from that of a typical vehicle". I have the same amount subtracted from each comparison vehicle and I'm not sure why? If anything something should be added to each vehicle because they are using sedans as comparable vehicles instead of wagons. Any ideas?
And, I have just accumulated 8 relatively recent purchase orders from the Nice Cars Co. out of Bellingham, WA who is the largest dealer in the US specializing in the sale of the type of vehicle I have. The purchase orders show sales of Passat TDI wagons for between $8,800 to 17,750 dollars. I have been able to accomplish what my insurance company couldn't or refused to accomplish. I'm going to include copies of the purchase orders in my complaint to the state insurance Commissioner.
Another question. I stated that I would be invoking the appraisal clause, can I back out of it now? My insurance carrier said I would have to get my appraiser first and then send them their results and then they would look at it to see if they would proceed from that point. When they said this, it made me think that I have to pay for my appraiser but they had the option once they obtained my appraiser's information as to whether or not they wanted to continue or if they just wanted to pay me at that time. Does not seem fair! Anyway, I would like to tell my insurance carrier that I am not interested in pursuing the appraisal clause at this time and would like them to review the purchase orders I had sent to them as proof of the value of my vehicle. As of this time they have not responded to any of the proof of vehicle sales I have provided them with.
I am ready to sent all this information but am wondering if there is anything else I want to send as well.
However, I do see that each of the vehicles they used are sedans and not wagons like mine
Good catch on all of these,,,,see it really can make a difference when you look these things over top to bottom, i can almost gaurantee the adjuster hasn't...you may want to call them again and give them all the discreptancys and see if they want to look at it again....up to you...
Quote:
If anything something should be added to each vehicle because they are using sedans as comparable vehicles instead of wagons. Any ideas?
No I don't know other than I agree seems that they should've been added...Is there a number on there anywhere to call the company (ccc or whomever prepares it?) for clarification ? Maybe all the way at the bottom or in the area that says something like, ''how this report is prepared'' etc?
Quote:
Another question. I stated that I would be invoking the appraisal clause, can I back out of it now?
I don't see why not since they said this...
Quote:
My insurance carrier said I would have to get my appraiser first and then send them their results and then they would look at it to see if they would proceed from that point
Quote:
When they said this, it made me think that I have to pay for my appraiser but they had the option once they obtained my appraiser's information as to whether or not they wanted to continue or if they just wanted to pay me at that time. Does not seem fair!
No, it really doesn't I'd get a straight answer from them ''who's paying for this?''
Quote:
Anyway, I would like to tell my insurance carrier that I am not interested in pursuing the appraisal clause at this time and would like them to review the purchase orders I had sent to them as proof of the value of my vehicle. As of this time they have not responded to any of the proof of vehicle sales I have provided them with.
Don't forget the evaluation mistakes....I would call them and tell them all the info I had, and that I was sending it to them, and that I expect an answer within ''x'' amount of time. (10 days should be plenty)....and if they are not interested in reviewing it, then I will have no choice but to file a complaint with the DOI, it is absolutely absurd that you have to do all of this work and they are doing none to help, be sure and point out (after you have contact the preparer of the evaluation, if there is no phone number ask the adjuster for it)....and that it is THEIR basis for value determination and they can't see that the information is incorrect for refuse to adjust it!
Quote:
I am ready to sent all this information but am wondering if there is anything else I want to send as well
I think it important that you talk with someone at the company that prepared this report..(not the person that prepared it there is no person that did that, but someone there that can explain it and go over it with you etc).they (ins carrier) could've contacted them and had them do another one, and look closer into this one....but clearly they didn't want to...make sure you have the name of the person you talk to date/time etc....and what they had to say....That's about it, you need to have a good understanding from the 'source' how this was completed, and the mistakes in it addressed. Also as I said I would give them a time line.
Please 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!
I asked this question, via email, of my insurance claim representative's supervisor who I've been conversing with;
"Amy,
Who can I contact to ask about the preparation of my
"Local Market Camparable Vehicles Detail" report #
39075333? I have two immediate questions;
1) How did the "Baseline Adjustment" portion of the
CCC report deduct $1,067 dollars from my vehicle's
value out of each comparison vehicle utilized in the
"Local Market Camparable Vehicles Detail" report?
2) Why did the CCC "Local Market Camparable Vehicles
Detail" report utilize only Passat sedans and not
wagons in their report?
Please let me know.
Thanks, Kurt"
Her reply was;
"Kurt the report uses what is available in the area to compare. When
your appraiser reviews the vehicle they will use the same estimating
system and ccc evaluation. Please contact me when these are complete
so
we can move forward.
Thank you"
Obviously, no information was provided for me to work with. This is a good example of the type of responses I've been receiving.
Yeah that's alot of happy talk...Kurt you saw (I take it) no number on the evaluation? I haven't used CCC for about five years, but when I did there was on the print out an area where CCC would provide the vehicle owner a free search for a replacement vehicle. Do you see (atleast) that anywhere? If call that number and see if whomever answers will give you the number to call re: who to talk to about the preperation of the report, I'll do some checking too....If any adjusters on the board have the number (stilll using CCC)...how about providing 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 did search for a phone number on this 7 page report. The only thing it provides is a fax number for the insurance company to fax the completed settlement form to.
ok kurt i'll see what i can find for you..i think you in the mean while should shoot her a note back and ask only, ''please provide me the phone number to someone at CCC that explain to me in detail how this report was prepared and the difference/discrepencys that you cannot explain to me. This has nothing at all to do with whether or not I hire another appraiser, I at this conjucture want clarity on this report'' or something like that don't go into the details of the report unless she asks again, but stress that you want to talk with someone at CCC that can fully explain how this report was prepared.....I'll see what i can find (number wise). _________________ 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 apprasial clause? Does it say in your policy that you two have to agree on the appraiser and that they will share the cost? Or did you hire the appraiser 
