by dirt01 » Sun Jun 22, 2008 06:57 pm
I just had my truck burn to the ground yesterday. I have filed a claim with the insurance company. The vehicle is still setting where it burned because it is on family property and I was able to take lots of pictures even when the fire department was trying to put it out. I don't know what to expect and don't want to get taken advantage of. 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..? What about 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 would appreciate any help.
Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 01:50 am Post Subject:
Thanks again Tcope and Lori
I didn't get to meet with the adjuster today. I was greatly dissappointed in them since I requested Saturday to meet with someone on Monday because I had to leave town on Tuesday for buisness. I waited until 3:00pm and hadn't gotten a call so I called my agent and they gave me a number to the claim adjusters office. I called the adjuster office and was told the claim had been given to a gentleman and they gave me his number. I called him and he said well they had made a mistake because that wasn't his area and he gave me the number to the guy who should be handling it. I asked him if there wasn't a message to make sure to call me today and he said it was noted, but it wasn't supposed to be his claim. I then called the gentleman who was supposed to have the claim and he basically said he hadn't gotten the claim yet, but that was his area. I asked him if there was anyway we could meet and he said mabye tomorrow. I then explained to him that I run a construction company and I work out of town and needed to get to the jobsite tomorrow to get things going. He then asked me if the cell number I was calling would be a good number to reach me and he would try to call me tomorrow. I again asked if he could set a time to meet me so I could schedule myself with the subs on my job. He acted like I was asking to much of him, but agreed that he would try to come down and meet me tomorrow morning sometime. He said he would call me when he got to town. If I hadn't pursued them I am not sure I would have even gotten a call tommorrow. I just really gets to me that if I don't pay my premium my insurance is cut off immediately and it always goes up no matter how good your driving record is and then when I need the insurance company to step up I am getting treated like my time isn't worth anything and it isn't their problem.
Why doesn't the company set things up so the agent has control over the claim. I buy insurance and have for 24 years from the same agent because I trust and like him. It seems that taking that personal touch out of the equation is a mistake. If I have to deal with an impersonal total stranger when I have a problem then why should anybody be loyal to an agent? I just don't understand, but I will quit complaining. I know there are bound to be good adjusters out there.
I don't know about the other recalls, but I got one last fall to do the speed control and had it done around october last year. I am going to the ford dealer in the morning to drive another truck. I will ask them to check for me.
Thanks
Jerry
Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 01:54 am Post Subject:
I just ran my VIN on Ford's site and it came back no recalls for my VIN.
Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 10:22 am Post Subject:
I asked him if there wasn't a message to make sure to call me today and he said it was noted, but it wasn't supposed to be his claim. I then called the gentleman who was supposed to have the claim and he basically said he hadn't gotten the claim yet, but that was his area.
First adjuster is a 'lazy' adjuster..if he saw you wanted to be contacted he should have MINIMALLY called you and said, 'hey there's been a mix up, just want you to know we have the claim and it is being routed to the correct adjuster....so might not get out there today, sorry'' then he should've called the correct adjuster himself... :roll: I'm sorry I can't STAND LAZY people! :twisted:He acted like I was asking to much of him, but agreed that he would try to come down and meet me tomorrow morning sometime.
I kind of get that part...I get that way too some times..it depends on his area and volumn of claims...sorry but some times it is hard to nail it down...on physical damage inspects when you DON'T have to have the owners present...(unlike an injury meeting)...Ineed the insurance company to step up I am getting treated like my time isn't worth anything and it isn't their problem.
I totally understand your point and you're right...good thing you called or this 'reassignment' could've took days! What company is this?Why doesn't the company set things up so the agent has control over the claim
:shock: :shock: Oh no! Heaven forbid that could ever happen!!! REALLY! every agent would think THEIR claims were most important...they can (agents) help though...Is this a 'captive' agent company? If so, then these agents generally speaking might have a little pull..I worked ten years for a captive agent company and now for an independent one...HUGE difference re:agent influence...It seems that taking that personal touch out of the equation is a mistake
It's a huge mistake and most company's (right now anyway) are making big strides re: customer service (claims I'm speaking of)....because when you come down to it we all are selling the same thing pretty close to the same cost so it comes down to service...stay in contact with your agent (assuming it's captive, and may have more influence on the claims dept).I know there are bound to be good adjusters out there.
And this one may a good adjuster...Look at it from his perspective, it's late monday he's already got a ton of claims from the weekend, and kind of has tomorrow lined out, his buddy didn't give him the consideration of calling to let him know he has another one coming...and bam, he gets a call from an insured already irritated, and he didn't know anything about it...Your trucks location maybe is 100 miles from him...Just try really hard if you can to start over with him..Like your Mama always told you. You ALWAYS catch more flys with honey than with vinegar, and adjusters are human, I'm more apt to provide better service to someone that is kind, not demanding and understanding than someone who is pissed and demanding, before I ever touch the claim..(not that you are, but you get the point right?)..I'd be real surprised if your vehicle had not had ANY recalls...Do you have a Ford dealership in your area that you have a relationship with (service dept)? If so you might call or stop in there and have them run it...''IF'' you have any issues and I don't think you will...
Keep us in loop, and let us know if you have any other questions... I know you are frustrated, and you have every right to be...but try really hard to stay calm, and understand that most of the time, the adjuster just wants to do their job, do it well, being fair, and then move on to the next one.
Do you have rental on your policy? Who is your company? Make a list of the questions you have so you can ask him when you're with him...
Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 02:48 am Post Subject:
Thanks again Lori
I did have my truck checked for recalls and an Oasis report done at the Ford dealership. All recalls for my truck had already been done according to them.
I have meet with the adjuster and filled out a proof of loss statement and sent it back to him. He said he would have my vehicle value probably by the time he got my proof of loss back. I have used NADA to value my truck and looked at Auto trader and Cars.com to see what vehicles would go for that were comparable to mine. Would you give me your opinion of the value of the truck.
1999 Ford F-350 Supercab Lariat 4x4
140,000 miles
V-10 motor
automatic
leather
Power steering
Power windows and locks
Power seats
keyless remote entry and alarm (factory)
cruise, tilt
bedliner
running boards
fifth wheel hitch
aluminum alloy wheels
off road tires
Custom made Wet Okole seat covers
Catch all custom floor liners
Dash Mounted GPS Garmin 60cs
What about cleaning up the mess left from the truck burning, who pays or takes care of that?
What about my fire extinguisher and the one the neighbor gave me?
There has been no storage fees, because I have left the truck setting where it burned since it was on my Uncles farm. Is this something I should try to use to my advantage when negotiating my final price?
Thanks
Jerry Bowden
Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 10:17 am Post Subject:
I came up with $12,350.00 based on the information you provided this is using the June 'central' addition regarding these things..
Custom made Wet Okole seat covers
Make sure the adjuster is aware of them, some may add alittle to the value while other may not (such as the floor mats etc)...The only option you don't have is dual rear wheels! :lol: that dog was loaded huh? I'm real sorry about this I know you will have a devil of a time finding a truck you like as well.....Is this close to the value you found?Catch all custom floor liners
Dash Mounted GPS Garmin 60cs
bedliner
running boards
fifth wheel hitch
re: clean up...again ask you adjuster about this...they should be able to cover it either under your comp or your liablity coverage. They should also haul the truck out of the field. Same with the neighors fire extinguisher.
Is this something I should try to use to my advantage when negotiating my final price?
Well, believe it or not one thing to your advantage is it's a total burn, meaning they cannot argue condition. Because there is no evidence that it wasn't in whatever condition you tell them... :wink: After they give you the amount if it sounds reasonable then move on with it. If for some reason it does not ask for a copy of the evalutation so you can double check that ALL options, condition etc, the adjuster has listed, (garbage in garbage out you know) . It's not uncommon for an adjuster to miss something...If they are not diligent at the site while inspecting they may be too embarrassed to call and ask you and 'guess' at it :roll: , I know, I know, I don't understand it either but I've sure seen it happen. They HAVE to (at your request) provide you with the means they used to assess the ACV. My system is adding for nearly everything however it is docking -$900.00 for mileage.Did you ask about the sales tax? Please let us know what you find out and if we can assist in any way.
Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 03:34 pm Post Subject:
Thanks Lori
After looking at alot of trucks on the internet and at lots locally, I thought my truck was worth 12,500 and 13,000. You are right my truck was absolutely perfect, no body work needed, no mechanical work needed. I am very picky about my truck. I do have some pictures from March that shows my truck in the background, so I can prove the outside was in great shape. I know I don't think I could replace it for anything less than that. I searched for almost a year to find the right truck when I bought it.
I will request from him how he came up with his number unless it is at the number I think it should be, which is at least 12,500 plus money for the hitch, sales tax, clean up, fire extinguisher, and other minor things listed in my previous post. I really have my mind set at not less than 14,330.
I came up with this number by the following:
truck 12,500
hitch 1,000
sales tax @ 750
fire extinguisher (2@ 40) 80
I did not include the following items I would like them to cover:
Wet Okole custom seat covers 450
Catchall custom floor liners 250
Garmin GPS 60cs and mount 500
I would really be satisfied if they cover all of these items for a total of
15,530. I did bring all of these to the adjusters attention and he said he thought he could do something on them, but couldn't cover any of the other items in the truck, personal, tools, etc..
What is the normal time to get something like this settled? I called the claim in on 6-21, when should I expect something from them? The only reason I care is because I need to buy another truck and am going to have to finance the truck I have went and picked out. I don't want to do all of the financing and then two days later have to go back to the bank and change things. I am trying to wait until I settle with Shelter and put that money down on the truck. What do you think is the best move. I obviously can buy the truck without the check, but can get a better rate if I am putting more of my own money in it out of my pocket. I can only go a few thousand without having the check for my other truck.
One other thing, the adjuster said he didn't have any idea of what caused the fire and he wasn't going to pursue it since it would cost alot of money to do so. The new ( to me ) truck that I am going to buy does not have the same motor in it that my old truck had. I would like to have the same motor, but am afraid that there is something wrong with them that is being kept quiet. How do you really find out when there are bad things with certain vehicles that haven't had recalls done on them. I was told by a technician at the ford place that the speed control recall on my truck should have included replacing the seal at the sensor and not just the wiring harness, but not enough claims had been filed to make a recall needed. It seems like the consumer is the one paying the price. I certainly don't get to hide screw ups in my line of work, you just step up to the plate and eat them.
I will keep you in the loop with what is going on.
Thanks
Jerry
Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 11:47 pm Post Subject:
Well, then looks like I was right in the ball park re: value, thats good... :wink:
Ok Jerry, first you need to take the sales tax out of this, do NOT include that in the amount you want for the truck...cause he owes you that regardless dependent upon how your state allows him to handle it...could be paid directly to you, or perhaps in a sales tax credit....that is a non-negotiable item...he HAS to pay that...
This hitch is kind of 'ify' to be honest...the argument could be made that the truck is actually worth less because there is a hole in the bed floor...Don't get me wrong I think you should certainly ask for it...Another thing I want to make you aware of...Check your policy...many (most) will have something in them about "Custom Parts'' or CPE (E= endorcment)...if you do not have this endorsment then most policys will have a 'cap' or limit of 1k...for 'extra' parts...so if that's the case then 1k is the MOST you could get..ok? Your state/policy may not even have this limit, but it might......just want to give you a heads up if the adjuster mentions it...
I did not include the following items I would like them to cover:
ASK for these! They may be a negotiating tool! Be prepared though he can't (shouldn't) give you their cost, because they are depreciating items...but something is better than nothing...Wet Okole custom seat covers 450
Catchall custom floor liners 250
Garmin GPS 60cs and mount 500
What is the normal time to get something like this settled?
You know this is tough to say, and is TOTALLY (up to 30-90 days) company specific, the company I work for expects these (total losses) settled within 48 hours of an inspect . :roll: Remember though I told you in the beginning some companies require a credit report etc...on total burns, and total vehicle thefts...Shouldn't though take more than a week - 10 days AFTER he looked at the truck...I am trying to wait until I settle with Shelter and put that money down on the truck
You shouldn't have any trouble with them...well I don't know how they work in your state, I worked for Shelter from 86-97, and they (fortunately) had long disbanned their ''fire unit'' when I left...(I also have ALL my insurance still with them :wink: ) Shouldn't take you too long, this is a ''captive'' agent company, so if you think they are taking too long your agen WILL have ''some'' pull...They used to (when I worked there now, been over 11 years ago) require a credit report, but even at that shouldn't be too long...Listen you need to know something else, they will NOT be paying you with a check...they will issue a bank draft...they take 3-10 days to clear, however, if it were me I'd just endorce it over to them....Don't blame the company for that, it's a state thing..One other thing, the adjuster said he didn't have any idea of what caused the fire and he wasn't going to pursue it since it would cost alot of money to do so.
Good, and he's right it does..however had your credit report came in bad, or if you were acting 'shakey' or bugging him about 'give me the money' he might've, which would be no skin off your nose other than it slows down the claim..How do you really find out when there are bad things with certain vehicles that haven't had recalls done on them. I was told by a technician at the ford place that the speed control recall on my truck should have included replacing the seal at the sensor and not just the wiring harness, but not enough claims had been filed to make a recall needed
They call those, 'techincal bulletins' manufactors issue technical bulletins, that really in effect say, ''well there sure have been a lot of complaints about this particular thing so if owners come in with it, replace it at our cost, but there just haven't been enough complaints to MAKE us issue a recall" If you have an 'in' with a Ford service guy have him look for tech. bulletins on that motor...or check the Ford sites, but use that phrase...rather than 'recall's.(they may call them 'technical service bulletins')...I certainly don't get to hide screw ups in my line of work, you just step up to the plate and eat them.
Preachin' to the choir brother Jerry! :lol: :wink:
I will keep you in the loop with what is going on.
Please do...has he given you any indication of the ACV yet? What about movin' it from Uncle's pasture? Have they done that? Do you have enough personal property lost to make filing a homeowners claim worth it?Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 01:27 pm Post Subject:
I finally got a call this morning from the adjuster. He offered me 11,300 for my truck and said that would include everything. I told him that him and I weren't even on the same planet about pricing. I did ask him how he came up with the price and he told me that they have a company that searches for vehicles for them to get pricing. I told him that in my opinion that was comparing apples to oranges and that my truck was as clean as any on the road and as mechanicaly sound as any on the road. He asked me what I thought it was worth and how I came to that conclusion. I told him I had been looking at autotrader.com, cars.com, ebay, and locally. I also told him that NADA pricing on my truck was 12,300 for clean retail and 13,370 for a truck in excellant condition. I did not give him a total number that I thought I would settle for since I think it is his job to offer me something. I made sure that I told him my opinion wasn't personal, but I just wanted a fair price for my vehicle since that is what I am paying premiums for. I don't think that I should settle for a truck that wasn't at least equal to my truck.
I couldn't get him to give me a break down over the phone, but he said he would try to email it to me and that he would do some checking and get back with me tommorrow.
Thanks
Jerry
Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 12:22 am Post Subject:
he told me that they have a company that searches for vehicles for them to get pricing
yeah, it's CCC,I couldn't get him to give me a break down over the phone, but he said he would try to email it to me and that he would do some checking and get back with me tommorrow
. Try-Fly, he can fax you a copy of the CCC print out be prepared they are about 20 pages or more...Look it over VERY carefully, because they are very EASY to screw up...(the old garbage in garbage out thing)...When you get it make sure first that you check the model/yr/options/mileage etc...I'm betting he's missed something...Let us know after you get it...He is right in that if you disagree with his assessment you need (and did kind of) to 'prove' your value...just print out what you found etc...let us know when you get the print out in the meanwhile do some gathering of data yourself...when you get the report AND INSIST THAT YOU GET IT QUICKLY..He can fax it to your agent's office...take your time looking it over...then let us know..there will be comparative vehicles should be within 50 or 100 miles of you...make sure they really are comparative...We'll be waiting to hear...remember....don't make it personal...when a company's adjusters have to use these programs (we hate them too) they can't just say, 'ok' here you go...whatever you want...he has to have docs to back up what you are contending...alright? ok... :wink:
Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 04:14 am Post Subject:
I did get a copy of the CCC report today. My truck is described right I believe, but the vehicles they are comparing my truck to don't list the same options as mine and aren't even the same model (Lariat) as mine. The adjuster called me back later in the day to make me another offer, but it still wasn't much more than he offered me first. I told him that I wasn't going to accept the comparisons for the value of my truck that they had picked out. I again told him that he could go to autotrader, cars.com, or ebay motors and do a search for my exact vehicle and the pricing was right in line with what I felt like the truck was worth. The adjuster also told me that he checked NADA and said my truck was only worth 10,800. I told him I didn't know what he was doing different, but I had checked NADAguides.com and the value I came up with was 13,375 for high retail and 12,350 for clean retail pricing. I told him if we needed to get together and look at the same screen I would be glad to do that. I also told him that I was buying a truck tomorrow, because I couldn't wait on him anymore. I even told him if he thinks my truck is only worth 10,800 then he could go buy me an equal truck and I would take it, but it was going to have to be equal or better than my truck. He said he would have to talk to his boss again and would get back to me tomorrow. He also hasn't given me anything for my hitch or any of the other items on the truck, such as seat covers, floor liners, GPS. I told him I understand that I did not have personal content coverage on the truck and that was my fault and I would eat all of the content, but I wanted him to cover the hitch since it was permantely attached to the truck or show me why it is not covered. I also reminded him that I have let the truck stay where it burned at to keep them from having a storage fee and he said he would remind his boss. I reminded him that if it was his vehicle he would want the same thing that I want to be treated fairly and given a fair value. I told him that I was moving on and buying a truck tomorrow and would not take a penny less than 12,350 (NADA clean retail), 800 (80% of hitch value), sales tax credit, and then he could take my 500 dollar deductable out. I also reminded him that I was prepared to wait as long as they were on settling this. I requested that if he could not get to my number tomorrow that I wanted them to move the truck to a storage facility and clean up the mess. He said he would try and get the truck moved, but danced around the clean up. I feel like they should clean up all of the mess and make it like it was before the truck burned, am I correct in assuming this?
I did notice on the report that they listed my truck as local market value of 10,880 and under vehicle condition, value impact was $0 and there were no ispection notes.
How can I send a copy of the report to you to look at?
Thanks again and I will keep you in loop of what happens tomorrow.
Jerry
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