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: Wed Jul 02, 2008 11:02 am Post Subject:
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.
NADA is the program I used (not the on-line version this is an insurance company verison)..the price I gave you was, ''ADJUSTED CLEAN RETAIL'' That is what the company I work for uses....If he came up 10,800.00 using nada something is very wrong...He can't be that far off without having left off a high option like 4x4 maybe ?The adjuster called me back later in the day to make me another offer
You didn't say what this ''other'' offer was Jerry...his inital offer was 11,300 without any consideration of the additional equipment right? What is his offer now, and it still does or doesn't include hitch, gps etc...(sorry i'm getting a little confused)..Regarding hitch, dash mt'd gps and other parts...It's my understanding (after reviewing shelter MO policy, so could be different but I doubt it)...When a vehicle is a total loss there is no special limit on the added equipment it is included in the ACV if the parts are permanently attached. Policy defines permanently attached as , attached to the vehicle by welds, screws or bolts. If attached by or to with wires or other fastening devices they are not considered permanently attached...So anything meeting that defintion should be considered and added to the vehicles ACV of course it will not add what you paid for those items but should be 50% atleast...
How can I send a copy of the report to you to look at?
I was just wondering this myself...(I'm no computer guru believe me :roll: )...How did he get it to you? Did he email it? or fax it? Something is wrong here...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
Let's try and figure out a way I can see this.... :?I think he has to pay for the fire eq. because the policy says you will be paid the reasonable cost you incur immediately after a covered event to protect the decrobed auto and its equipment from further damage. He would owe you clean up ''if'' there is/was a charge that you (as the insured) would be held legally liable for...and there is..Tell Uncle to prepare a bill or get a bid from someone to clean up the mess. Or have Uncle get a bid, (as an example) for say 500 bucks from "Joe's clean up" and tell him Uncle said he would do it himself for 300 thus saving Shelter 200 bucks....(if that's ok with you and uncle)...now it may be that this is (per their company standard) a reimbursement deal...meaning it has to be paid then they pay you back...but I think if there is truly a mess after it's towed then it needs to be cleaned up...also if I were you, I'd slip in there that Uncle is getting pissed, (especially if he isn't going to get paid to clean up this mess) and wants to be paid 10bucks a day storage himself, because Shelter didn't PROMPTLY move the truck....(don't say it ugly and make it sound like it's all ''grouchy old uncle")...I've actually paid these before...
Ok Jerry just to be clear....are you $1050.00 apart from his offer or $1850.00? Also honestly unless that hitch is like two years old or less I think you're a little high on the 80% thing...could it be cleaned up and moved to your new truck? Now If the hitch were the only thing damaged and they were paying you for a damaged hitch...that's different than actually how much that adds to the vehicles ACV. Also (as previously mentioned) some other minor additions may need to be added if they meet the critera of permanetly attached...exactly how far are you apart?
Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2008 05:57 am Post Subject:
Lori
Sorry it took so long to post, I went camping with the family since last Thursday.
I got two more offers from the adjuster on Wednesday with the highest being 13,345. I had told him I would accept nothing less than 12,350 for the truck, 800 for the hitch, 741 for sales tax (6%), minus 500 for my deductable for a total of 13,391. He said they wouldn't cover any of the other items, so I have filed a claim with my homeowners and it is going really well so far. The adjuster for Travelers called me within 30 mins after filing the claim and was very helpfull with my policy coverage. She didn't have a problem with any of the items I had told her that were in the truck or their values. I didn't mention before that my hearing aids were in the console because I considered them personal items along with the other things I lost in the fire. She sent me a spreadsheet the same day to help me compile the information she needed and told me what to gather on proof of the GPS, hearing aids, wedding ring. She also said she could get the claim settled as soon as I got the spreadsheet back to her.
I really didn't mean to complain earlier, but the Traveler's adjuster has her game together and I guess that is what I expected from Shelter since I have been with them for 24 years and have never had a claim that was my fault.
I am going to try and settle with Shelter tomorrow or Tuesday if he will go to 13,391, pay for both ext, pay for the clean or have it done, and make sure I won't have a bill with the fire department. Do you think what I am asking for is right?
I will keep you informed on the Travelers claim as soon as I get the spreadsheet back to her (hopefully Monday) and she makes me an offer.
Am I missing anything that I should be asking for or getting covered?
Thanks
Jerry
Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2008 11:46 am Post Subject:
I think you have it all covered Jerry, glad your HO adjuster got on it quick...sorry the Shelter adjuster has been a disappointment...Did you find out how your sales tax in your state is paid, and are you sure 'his' offer included the sales tax? (I would NEVER quote an ACV that included tax without says so)....
Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 02:17 am Post Subject:
The sales tax in Arkansas is 6% on any used vehicle. If the value of the vehicle is less than 2500 you don't pay any sales tax. The adjuster is including the sales tax amount in what he offered me. That is how he tried to trick me on the first two offers. The first offer he did not include sales tax in the amount and then on the second offer he included it in the amount. It sounded like more money until you put a pencil to it and then it turned out to only be 500 more. I am going to talk to him in the morning. I have really appreciated your help in this matter and hope the rest of it goes smooth. I will keep you informed as I progress.
Thanks
Jerry
Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 12:35 pm Post Subject:
Hope all goes well Jerry, let us know
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