Questions about total loss of vehicle due to fire

Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 07:23 pm Post Subject: info left out

I forgot to say I live in Arkansas and my insurance company is Shelter Mutual Insurance Company and I have a full coverage policy that includes Liability, Comp, Collision, Med pay, Acc death, uninsured, underinsured. These are listed on my renewal notice. I also recieve a discount for safe driver, multicar, passive restraint. I don't know if any of this makes a difference.

Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 09:47 pm Post Subject:

What will the adjuster use to value my truck? I checked out NADA and KBB.

Will I get any compensation for content in the truck that I was unable to retrieve such as MP-3 player, GPS, fifth wheel hitch, tools, etc..?

aftermarket add ons such as AirAid cold air intake or other mechanical improvements made?

I don't have a copy of my policy and am going to my agents office first thing Monday morning to get a copy and talk to them.

I was told the adjuster would try to call me on Monday from the lady I talked to at the 1-800 number.

What do I need to do to make sure I get what is coming to me and that I don't get a smooth sales pitch and settle for less than I should?

....I forgot to say I live in Arkansas and my insurance company is Shelter Mutual Insurance Company and I have a full coverage policy that includes Liability, Comp, Collision, Med pay, Acc death, uninsured, underinsured.

I also recieve a discount for safe driver, multicar, passive restraint. I don't know if any of this makes a difference.

Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 10:40 pm Post Subject: truck fire

Thanks Lori

I don't know why the truck burnt. I had taken my daughters on their first fishing trip at my uncles pond. The truck had been just sitting there for 30 to 45 minutes before my wife saw smoke coming out from the front of the truck. I ran over to investigate and popped the hood. I couldn't get the hood all the way up because it was to hot to release the latch on the hood. I then grabbed my fire extinguisher and attempted to put out the fire by shooting in under the hood with no success. My wife had started grabbing stuff in the truck and throwing it out and I grabbed some stuff on the drivers side and threw it out before the fire really got big. I then realized my cell phone was in my pocket and I called 911. One of the neighbors then came down the hill with another fire extinguisher that I tried on the fire with no sucess. By the time the fire department got their the truck was completely engulfed in flames. I would guess that from the time we saw smoke until the truck was completely engulfed in flames was about 9 mins based on a picture we had taken of one of the girls before the truck was on fire, then the time that I called 911, and the next picture my wife took of the truck when it was really burning big. I haven't been around any other vehicles that burned, but I was just amazed at what little time it took for the truck to go up in flames and thinking about would we have been able to get out with two girls in car seats in what little time it took ot burn.

The fire department said they had no guess at what started it, but thought the same thing that I did, that it had to be electrical of some sort since the truck was just setting there. I didn't owe anything on the truck, it was a 99 f350 Superduty Lariat. I have owned it for almost two years and paid for it when I bought it. I am a good customer with my insurance company and have an average credit score around 675, so I wouldn't think any of that would be an issue. I just want to be sure I get a fair value for my truck since that is what I pay insurance for. I didn't know how the adjuster would value the truck at all and didn't want to get floored when they try to settle with me for something way less than the market value. That is why I looked on NADA and KBB to see what the truck was worth and I also looked at the local ford dealerships web site along with ebay to see what trucks similar to mine were selling for. Is the retail price what I should be looking for? I would assume so since I paid a retail price for my truck when I bought it. I have heard horror stories in the past about people feeling like they didn't have any choice, but to accept what an adjuster offered them. What do I do if they offer me something that I feel isn't even close to what the truck was worth and the adjuster and I can't agree? Do I have any other options besides a lawyer, because I know nobody wins once a lawyer is involved? I guess I should worry about that bridge when I get there, but I am just still in shock that my truck burnt and worried to death that I am going to get taken to the cleaners.

I appreciate your help and appologize for going on and on, I just don't know what to do. I hope I can continue to ask questions as the process continues.

Thank You

Jerry Bowden

Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 12:45 am Post Subject:

I'd recommend making a list of options on the vehicle as well as the aftermarket items on it. The adjuster will need to know this information and you are the only source for this. These days policies from carrier to carrier differ slightly. Typically a policy will provide coverage for the aftermarket parts as long as they were installed on the vehicle. As far as the person items that don't belong to that particular vehicle, coverage would fall under a separate property policy, not your auto policy.

As far as the value, when the adjuster calls ask them what method they use to determine the vehicles value. Every company is different on what they used.

As far as the value, cross that bridge when you come to it. Yes, you can hire and pay an attorney to represent your interest but you'd be hard pressed to find one that know much about estimating property damage. Also, you'd probably spend more money on the attorney then what the difference is in value. Most policies have an appraisal clause in which each of your can hire your own appraiser and then split the cost of a 3rd party to determine the value. Personally, I've never seen this done. As I mentioned, address problems as they happen, don't count on their being any problems.

Also keep in mind that many of the values your looking at are "asking" prices, not selling prices.

Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 11:30 am Post Subject:

I don't know why the truck burnt. I had taken my daughters on their first fishing trip at my uncles pond. The truck had been just sitting there for 30 to 45 minutes before my wife saw smoke coming out from the front of the truck.

Is the retail price what I should be looking for? I would assume so since I paid a retail price for my truck when I bought it.

I have heard horror stories in the past about people feeling like they didn't have any choice, but to accept what an adjuster offered them. What do I do if they offer me something that I feel isn't even close to what the truck was worth and the adjuster and I can't agree? Do I have any other options besides a lawyer, because I know nobody wins once a lawyer is involved?

As far as the value, when the adjuster calls ask them what method they use to determine the vehicles value. Every company is different on what they used.

Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 02:56 pm Post Subject:

Thanks Tcope and Lori

My truck was a 1999 Ford F-350 Superduty supercab Lariat 4x4 automatic with the following:

factory keyless remote and alarm
140,000 miles
leather
PS, PW, Cruise, tilt
AM/FM/ CD player
Power seats
4x4
premium aluminum wheels
all terrain tires 80%
reese pro 16K fifth wheel hitch
Prodigy brake controler
Air Aid cold air intake system
Garmin 60CS GPS
Wet Okole neoprene seat covers
Catch all floor mats

I think this covers all the things that were on the truck. The rest of the stuff I lost were personal items like MP-3 etc...

The truck wasn't setting in tall grass when it caught fire, it was actually on the road going across the pond dam. The fire started under the hood somewhere. It appeared to me when I tried to pop the hood the fire then was on the motor itself on the drivers side when I tried to put it out with the extinguisher. If it would help I can send the pictures my wife took of the truck on fire and the ones I took after it was out all I need is a place to send them or tell me how to send them to you in a pm. I am new to this site, but am familiar with other forums that I use alot.

Thanks for the support. I am waiting to hear from the adjuster now.


Jerry Bowden

Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 03:28 pm Post Subject: sales tax

I did think of something else. In Arkansas I think you only pay sales tax on the difference from the value of your trade in to the actual selling price of the new vehicle. If you don't have a trade in you get the first 2500 dollars with no sales tax and then you pay sales tax from that value on. Do you know if the DMV accepts the value of my loss towards my purchase price or is this something that I should work on with the adjuster so I don't get stuck paying the sales tax on the value of my truck that burnt when I should have been getting that value tax free against a new truck?


Thanks

Jerry

Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 03:59 pm Post Subject:

Don't know about AR but the insurance company should include all expenses you'd incur to replace the truck with a truck of the same value. So if any taxes would be charged on another vehicle with similar costs, those taxes are payable on the claim.

Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 10:23 pm Post Subject:

Jerry, I came with $12,100.00...BUT...you need to add or subtract the following to this figure (if they apply)...6cyl gas engine -$200, Dual rear wheels +$225.00, Turbo Diesel Engine +$4225.00, V10 engine +$250.00. Your seat covers, and floor matts, likely won't add anything, if they too were totally distroyed you 'might' get alittle more for them, if they are ok, then you can take them out...The fifth wheel hitch, same thing, and 'could' reduce the value, (hole in the floor of the bed)..if it's ok take it out, (after talking with the adjuster.

RE: your sales tax...I don't know how AR does this either but I do know YOU WILL GET THE SALES TAX...Your insurance company will either pay it directly to you based on the vehicles ACV or they will issue a sales tax credit or affidavit for that amount, you just take that to the DMV when you register your new truck and you will only pay the difference (this is how it's handled in MO, however KS, our neighboring state pays it direct to the owner)...you'll have to ask the adjuster but you will get it...Also you will likely get title transfer fee if any as well...

Let us know if we can be of further assistance...Have you heard from the adjuster yet?

Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 10:31 pm Post Subject:

I tried to run your vehicle for recalls but can't without the VIN, I did some checking and did find these recalls...(sounds like either electrical or fuel fed electrical to me)

1999 Ford F350 Recall ID from NHTSA: 99V093001
Auto Recall Date: 04/27/1999
Vehicle Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
Estimated Vehicles Affected: 293650
1999 FORD F350 Defect Summary:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: GASOLINE AND DIESEL ENGINE PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 6" AND 8" BEDS MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 5, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 21, 1999, DO NOT NOT FULLY SATISFY THE POST CRASH TEST STATIC ROLLOVER REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY." SIX ATTACHMENT BOLTS (M12 BOLTS) MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING THE 30 MPH FRONT BARRIER TEST ALLOWING THE BOLTS TO SHIFT OR BECOME DETACHED, RESULTING IN FUEL SPILLAGE.
Defect Consequence:
FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. Remedy:
DEALERS WILL AUGMENT THE BOX-TO-CHASSIS ATTACHMENT BY INSTALLING BOX-TO-CHASSIS RETAINING CABLES.
Notes: FORD MOTOR COMPANY,

1999 Ford F350 Recall ID from NHTSA: 98V056000
Auto Recall Date: 03/12/1998
Vehicle Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BATTERY:CABLES
Estimated Vehicles Affected: 4000
1999 FORD F350 Defect Summary:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SUPERCAB PICKUP TRUCKS. THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE IS TAPED TO THE NEGATIVE CABLE WHICH CONTAINS A CLIP TO SECURE THE ASSEMBLY TO THE SIDE FRAME RAIL. IF INCORRECTLY POSITIONED, THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE CAN CONTACT THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR PULLEY.
Defect Consequence:
IF THE CABLE WEARS, A COMPLETE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE CAN OCCUR AND POTENTIAL SPARKING AND/OR IGNITION OF FLAMMABLE MATERIAL. Remedy:
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND/OR MODIFY THE BATTERY CABLE CLIPS TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE PROPERLY LOCATED.
Notes: FORD MOTOR COMPANY,

1999 Ford F350 Recall ID from NHTSA: 06V286000
Auto Recall Date: 08/01/2006
Vehicle Component: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Estimated Vehicles Affected: 1200000
1999 FORD F350 Defect Summary:
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.
Defect Consequence:
OVERHEATING COULD RESULT IN SMOKE OR BURN AND AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS INTO THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 7, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332. (NOTE: ALSO SEE RECALLS 05V017 AND 05V388)
Notes: FORD MOTOR COMPANY, 05S28