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 Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2009 5:11 pm Post subject: Is this process normal for car accident claim? |
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Hello,
I asked for help two weeks ago when someone hit me after his running STOP sign.
After two weeks, his insurance company, USAA, finally sent apprasier for my car. The apprasier was there for the veichle on Tuesday (The dealership told me about this and also told me they may want to "total it"). Now, the third day after the apprasier checking the car, I still received no notice from them about the official notice of total loss.
There is one guy from USAA did call me on Monday morning that they accepted the liabillity for the accident. After Monday, no more update anymore.
It sounds weird for me. How do you guys think about this?
It's been half month since the accident. |
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IamDriver
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| Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2009 11:34 pm Post subject: |
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Well, unfortunately some companies are slow...In your case, I'm betting it took until monday to determine liability, (waiting on police report and/or witness statements, or contact from their insured maybe). Then when they accepted liability monday they sent an appraiser out the very next day (not bad)...The appraiser most likely is an independent that they've hired. If that's the case, he/she will have to get all the information to the USAA adjuster, who will review it and make a decision. If I were you I'd start calling that adjuster tomorrow morning.
I assume they have put you in a rental car now right?
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Lori
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| Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2009 2:06 am Post subject: |
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Hi, Lori,
Thanks for your reply.
The thing is last week USAA promised me several times that they will send apprasier for my car. They even gave me several apprasier's phone number. I was able to talk to one of them. However, the appraiser told me he hasn't be assigned for my car yet when I callled him. He promised he will give me a call after his checking of the car.
Finally no any update from USAA side, including the apprasier who promised me to give me a call after his checking of the car. The "total loss" message was from the dealership where my car located.
I did call USAA about my case yesterday but not be able to talk to the adjuster. (Actually I was seldom to be able to talk to the adjuster. Everytime I called in it will be voice maill box.)
I was told by the operator that my car was totalled and they assigned some new adjuster for my claim. I called the number they provided but always voice mail box.
I was expecting that at least someone from USAA should give me an update on my claim by today. However, so far, no update yet.
Lori, do you stilll think this is normal?
As to rental car, my own insurance took care of the first 12 days. After USAA admitted liability they said I can rent a car by myself and they will reimburse me later. So, by now I am paying the rental and expecting to be reimbursed later. I just curious why don't they inform me about the "total loss" information?
If they give a way low "fair market value" of my car, I do have the right to have the car repaired through my insurance company and claim USAA for the deminished value, do I?
Thanks for any suggestions. |
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IamDriver
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| Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2009 10:28 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | I just curious why don't they inform me about the "total loss" information? |
It sounds like they have total loss adjusters...so if a car is deemed a total it goes to that adjuster and he/she will be the one that talks to you about your total...Is this the most efficent way to handle claims? No, I don't think so, but (again) some carrier, and some adjusters are slow..
| Quote: | | If they give a way low "fair market value" of my car, I do have the right to have the car repaired through my insurance company and claim USAA for the deminished value, do I? |
No, not if your carrier also deems it a total loss. You do have the right to allow your carrier to handle the total. Regardless of which carrier handles your claim you are due the ACV (actual cash value) of your vehicle right beforet he wreck. If you think USAA is low, prove your value. Or have your carrier determine it's value as well, then accept the higher of the two.
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"Never, never be afraid to do what's right, especially if the well being of a person or animal is at stake. Society's punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way." Martin Luther King Jr. |
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Lori
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| Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2009 2:46 pm Post subject: |
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Hi, Lori,
My own insurance company told me that my car is definitely "repairable". That's why I asked that should I go ahead to have car repaired through my insurance then fight with USAA about the "deminished value" and other issues. |
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IamDriver
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| Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2009 10:10 pm Post subject: |
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Sorry IamDriver, I misunderstood. If your carrier is prepared to repair your vehicle, then that is certainly your choice, however, the other carrier is not obligated to pay you diminished value, if totaling your vehicle was more economical for them. Which may be exactly why they totaled it..
I'm sorry I don't remember, (please remind me) what state did this accident occur in?
You haven't got a number (ACV of your car) from the other carrier yet have you? You might want to wait on that before making your decision. | Quote: | | then fight with USAA about the "deminished value" and other issues. |
What ''other'' issues are you referring to?
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"Never, never be afraid to do what's right, especially if the well being of a person or animal is at stake. Society's punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way." Martin Luther King Jr. |
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Lori
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| Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 2:37 am Post subject: |
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Thanks, Lori.
This accident was in Texas. I haven't received the ACV number from USAA yet. I guess it won't be some satisfied number since I heard so many people complaining USAA about its low ACV estimate. Do you have some suggestions about the negociation of ACV?
I mentioned other issues because theere is also bodily injury, loss of work day wage, loss of better working opportunities, etc. Could I count these points in?
Thanks. |
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IamDriver
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| Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 11:03 am Post subject: |
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Well an injury and loss of wage are certainly a claim. Not sure what you mean by loss of better working opportunities, etc
As to the ACV...if you want to post the yr/make/model/mileage/ all options, I'll check the value for you. Also was there any UNREPAIRED prior damage?
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"Never, never be afraid to do what's right, especially if the well being of a person or animal is at stake. Society's punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way." Martin Luther King Jr. |
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Lori
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| Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 3:19 pm Post subject: |
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Thank you, Lori.
It's a 2008 Mazda3 I touring with only 6900miles on it. I bought it less than 10 months ago from dealership for brandnew. It's in perfect condition. I added seat cover and tint on it also. I am in Houston, TX.
It have been very well maintained and washed everyweek.
My working contract is yearly renewed and current contract ends Dec. 31,2009. I was in the market of a better job offer and was considered for an interview for a well paid company last week. However, the accident happened. It was all a mess. I was in such a bad mood that I messed up the interview. Now, my current boss may even not want to renew contract with me too. Is that also be able to be condisered? |
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IamDriver
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| Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2009 12:35 pm Post subject: |
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Iamdriver, there are seven Mazda3's (4dr-i, s, s GT, 5dr wagon s, s GT, SPEED GT, and SPEED sport), I need to know which on to start, then I need to know if it has the following: Alum/Alloy wheels, Bose stereo, Cruise, Leather seats, Navigation system, Power door locks, Power sun roof, Power windows, A.C., Theft RECOVERY system, Auto or Manual tranny, Power seats. | Quote: | | Is that also be able to be condisered? |
I doubt they will consider your bad mood when offering you any settlement..I wouldn't if I had the claim. That's something that is 100% under your own control regardless of what happens in life. Now, if you missed an interview, or work, or opportunity, because you were injured or didn't have a car to drive, well that's different.
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"Never, never be afraid to do what's right, especially if the well being of a person or animal is at stake. Society's punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way." Martin Luther King Jr. |
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Lori
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| Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2009 3:37 pm Post subject: |
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Hi, Lori,
As mentioned above, it is a Mazda3 I touring, automatic with 6900 miles on it. I didn't add more options except tint windows and seat covers. Here is the blue book link wfor basic model:
http://www.kbb.com/KBB/UsedCars/2008_Mazda_MAZDA3_230085_Private%20Par ty.aspx
You need to change it to automatic and mileage value.
Appreciate your comments. |
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IamDriver
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| Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2009 5:00 pm Post subject: |
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To my knowledge NO carrier used Kelly blue book...That's why I need to know the options, I have listed above...based on 08-mazda3 4door i-with your mileage (and zero options that I have listed)...clean retail comes in at 14,650.00
_________________
"Never, never be afraid to do what's right, especially if the well being of a person or animal is at stake. Society's punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way." Martin Luther King Jr. |
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Lori
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| Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2009 8:53 pm Post subject: |
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I understand as a adjuster you may have some specific system for estimate. In your estimate, does premium tint counted as some extra value?
Does the number you provided include TTL fee? |
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IamDriver
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| Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 10:49 am Post subject: |
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No, tinting will add to the value, I have on rare occasions added 100 bucks or so for tint, but that's it.
The number I have listed is bare bones...no power windows, doors, cc, only steel wheels etc. And it's the actual cash value. I would pay if I were totaling the car. Any fees, taxes etc, is added to that.
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"Never, never be afraid to do what's right, especially if the well being of a person or animal is at stake. Society's punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way." Martin Luther King Jr. |
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Lori
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