by Ceasars Ghost » Thu Jan 17, 2008 09:27 pm
Are insured entitled under any law to obtain 3 estimates on a car's value if they don't trust the insurance company's paid adjuster (who renews his contract with the company only by saving them money, not by costing them money).
A friend's brother-in-law ran my car's value on NADA and came up with a value of roughly $5700 and my insurance company's adjuster is saying it is worth $4100.
It's a 1999 toyota camry le 4dr sedan; 4 cyl., 2.2 liter. It's options are: automatic transmission, air conditioning, power driver's seat, heated back glass with antenna, electric remote control mirrors, cruise control, power windows and doors. No moon or sun roof. It has $159,600 miles on it but was in excellent condition prior to the accident-- even brand new tires and wiper blades; but the adjuster won't list it as anything better than "good" condition in obtaining his figures. (Of course, after being totaled it isn't in "good" condition either, but that's as good as the adjuster will go.)
Is there a way to contest the company's adjuster's value? Do I have a right to get other estimates on the car's value? Is the $5700 NADA value my friend's brother in law gave me in the correct ballpark instead of this $4100 stuff the insurance company is trying to tell me?
Further, because I like the car and want to keep it and fix it they want to knock an additional $1200 off of their settlement check. (Initially they said it would be $800 to $1000 and my wife and I wanted to discuss the offer first. When we talked to the company the next time they said they had made a mistake and that they were taking $1400 off because we were keeping the car. We said that if the car was suddenly worth that much more that they were losing an extra $400 to $600 by letting us keep it that the car's actual value must be more than the $4100 they were trying to tell us and that they therefore ought to be reevaluating the car's value (up) before taking the $1400 off. They went only far enough to say that they would be doing us a HUGE favor, but were willing to adjust their withheld total down from $1400 to $1200.
The whole negotiation with them has been nothing but swinging at a moving target and I can't help the feeling that we're getting a royal screw job. The company is urgently trying to settle the claim and pressure us into taking the deal and my wife wants to because she is just tired of fighting it (I'm sure the insurance company depends on that), but I always want to fight harder when I think I'm getting a financial screw job.
Any guidance from the experts that might help???
thanks!
A friend's brother-in-law ran my car's value on NADA and came up with a value of roughly $5700 and my insurance company's adjuster is saying it is worth $4100.
It's a 1999 toyota camry le 4dr sedan; 4 cyl., 2.2 liter. It's options are: automatic transmission, air conditioning, power driver's seat, heated back glass with antenna, electric remote control mirrors, cruise control, power windows and doors. No moon or sun roof. It has $159,600 miles on it but was in excellent condition prior to the accident-- even brand new tires and wiper blades; but the adjuster won't list it as anything better than "good" condition in obtaining his figures. (Of course, after being totaled it isn't in "good" condition either, but that's as good as the adjuster will go.)
Is there a way to contest the company's adjuster's value? Do I have a right to get other estimates on the car's value? Is the $5700 NADA value my friend's brother in law gave me in the correct ballpark instead of this $4100 stuff the insurance company is trying to tell me?
Further, because I like the car and want to keep it and fix it they want to knock an additional $1200 off of their settlement check. (Initially they said it would be $800 to $1000 and my wife and I wanted to discuss the offer first. When we talked to the company the next time they said they had made a mistake and that they were taking $1400 off because we were keeping the car. We said that if the car was suddenly worth that much more that they were losing an extra $400 to $600 by letting us keep it that the car's actual value must be more than the $4100 they were trying to tell us and that they therefore ought to be reevaluating the car's value (up) before taking the $1400 off. They went only far enough to say that they would be doing us a HUGE favor, but were willing to adjust their withheld total down from $1400 to $1200.
The whole negotiation with them has been nothing but swinging at a moving target and I can't help the feeling that we're getting a royal screw job. The company is urgently trying to settle the claim and pressure us into taking the deal and my wife wants to because she is just tired of fighting it (I'm sure the insurance company depends on that), but I always want to fight harder when I think I'm getting a financial screw job.
Any guidance from the experts that might help???
thanks!
Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2008 10:53 pm Post Subject:
Thanks. The loss was in December-- the 23rd and we learned that, due to it being in an accident (my wife was clipped by a drunk driver two years ago that damaged the left rear bumper and tail assembly-- was fully replaced and repaired by the dealer but that gave it "salvage" status), they knocked off 15%-- $700.35. So that placed it right in line with your estimate.
It's also good to know about the independent adjuster's motives-- or lack thereof in these types of claims.
Is there a way to argue that sales tax should be based on the pre-salvage ($4669) amount instead of the after salvage ($3469) amount? (either amount is better than what we're getting currently, and so I'm very grateful for the knowledge about this, and it will get us an extra $100 in even the worst case scenario-- thank you!!!)
We'll check on the travel expenses. We kept everything as cheap as possible, but it unfortunately remained expensive to get home on any such short notice. (We even tried getting a rental car but only one rental company would rent us one that didn't have to be returned to Utah-- aka could be dropped off at the franchise in Kansas-- and that company didn't have any cars available due to so many holiday travelers; but a rental car would have saved us about $$400 on our expenses to get home. If we could get any amount out of that it would be most helpful. So, although it may not be available, thank you very much for letting us know even what to ask about, etc.!)
Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 01:48 am Post Subject:
The salvage status from a previous accident doesn't sound right. If the vehicle had salvage status from your last accident that means the vehicle would of been a total loss from that accident. You stated the bumper and taillight was repaired and replaced in the last accident, there is no way those minor repairs would of given the vehicle salvage status. Your insurance company is trying to under pay you, like they always do. If the vehicle had salvage staus your title would be marked, check with your DMV and see if it was ever reported as salvage. Do not trust your insurance company they will lie and do whatever they have to, to pay as little as possible.
Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 01:45 pm Post Subject:
The loss was in December-- the 23rd
ah, my birthday and wedding anniversary! you were'nt celebrating for me were you? :wink:but that gave it "salvage" status), they knocked off 15%-- $700.35. So that placed it right in line with your estimate
Well there you go...that makes me feel better (and should you as well), couldn't figure out why I was that far away from their evalutation...also as a side note, in my state (which borders yours ) generally it is 25-40% docked for a salvage title so this is a good thing for you!Is there a way to argue that sales tax should be based on the pre-salvage ($4669) amount instead of the after salvage ($3469) amount? (either amount is better than what we're getting currently,
Well you could 'argue' that they owe it based on the ACV of the vehicle, and this may be correct, I'm sorry I just don't remember for KS if the vehicle is retained, if that salvage amount is deducted, because that (the salvage amount) is what you are paying (in effect) for the vehicle...or better yet contact the KS dept of Insurance, they have a consumer line, just call and ask them...I'm sorry I'm just not 100% on if that sal.amount comes out or not, but I KNOW the deductible doesn't and honestly though didn't think you would be entitled to the sales tax if you retained...so call the KS DOI and find out for sure...I'm very grateful for the knowledge about this, and it will get us an extra $100 in even the worst case scenario-- thank you!!!)
Good glad we could help you....What about getting the vehicle back to the land of OZ, and also your travel expenses did you find out about that?
Now on to Bodybyfischer...
The salvage status from a previous accident doesn't sound right. If the vehicle had salvage status from your last accident that means the vehicle would of been a total loss from that accident.
Well clearly there was more damage than just the bumper, and clearly the vehicle was a prior total loss....you know as well as I do (if you are in the autobody repair industry I can't tell for sure) that we cannot expect the consumer to understand and remember that (for instance) they replaced the rear body panel, and one rear rail and the 1/4....I'm sure this knowledgeable OP knows and knew he had a prior salvage vehicle...or that retaining the vehicle after the total loss threshold had been reached caused it to total, or maybe (even) he bought it with this brand on the title.
Your insurance company is trying to under pay you, like they always do
This isn't true, and an inflamitory statement, please don't make general statements like this without documentation or proof to back them up....If the vehicle had salvage staus your title would be marked, check with your DMV and see if it was ever reported as salvage.
The insurance company can't just ''say'' a vehicle has a branded title for pete's sake! To pay less on a claim! That's a ridiculous statement, come on even you can't believe that one! They run an ISO, or some other type of title search on all total loss vehicles (and some that are not) and that's when it shows up...Do not trust your insurance company they will lie and do whatever they have to, to pay as little as possible.
Again back this up! I take personal offense at this I've been an insurance adjuster for many many years...and have NEVER NOT ONE SINGLE TIME lied or did ''whatever'' i had to in order to pay less on a claim...and while I'll agree it may ''appear'' that way to the uninformed and some companies or adjusters, just as body shops or personal trainers, (which ever your screen name is indicating), that also over charge right? But I would never jump to the assumption, much less make a public statement that ALL of them are cheats, crooks, and of no moral fiber, and of poor character, which is EXACTLY what you are saying! How rude!Please either provide documenation (not hear say) to prove your point, or refrain from calling all people in the insurance or any other industry industry liars!
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