by Sniper168 » Fri Sep 05, 2008 04:23 am
javascript:emoticon(':cry:')
So first let me say that this situation so totally blows donkeys balls, but what can I do?
The fire started 8/29 while I was in the shower. The fire dudes told me it was the battery charger that was the culprit. My car was based off of a 1988 Pontiac Fireo which had been properly stretched to the exact dimensions of the real Lamborghini. Everything on that car was real OEM Lamborghini parts (windshield, side and rear glass, marker lights, head lamps, fog lamps and all badges, you get the idea). The interior was $7000 of hand laid custom leather. Real Lamborghini speedometer and odometer! And to top it off, a brand new Chevy 5.7L 350 performance engine had been installed. On the date of the fire, there were exactly 500 miles on the car!!
I have not heard from the adjuster since this fire took place. My car is at the auction yard and I'm sure the adjuster has seen it by now (and it is a total loss). I can only assume he is trying to figure out how to assess a value to this type of car. And since I have ACV as my coverage: [Actual Cash Value = Market Value less Depreciation].
I put just over $72,000 into this car to make it perfect and exact. If you were to go to a professional builder of these cars, like Exotic Illusions in Archbald, PA, you will see $60,000, $65,000 and $75,000 for the three cars he currently preparing to sell.
I fear the adjuster will come back to me and give me an incredibly low number based on, oh I don't know.... it was a 1988 (but was completely and professionally rebuilt and with only 500 miles on the brand new engine).
How much wiggle room does someone in my position have when I have every receipt ever used on that car and a running journal and portfolio documenting everything along the way (keep in mind I still have not heard back from whomever this adjuster is) ?
Sorry to have rattled on for so long but I'm a little worried they will come back with a rediculously low figure - oh the company is USAA Ins. by the way.
Here are some pics of from when before I bought it, the work I've done to it, and then when it was complete. Of course then the fire.
[url]http://inthevalley.servebeer.com:8080/downloads/My%201988%20Lamborghini%20Portfolio/[url]
I think that's is how I properly post a link.
In the mean time, Thanks for lending me your ears and thanks for your time.
So first let me say that this situation so totally blows donkeys balls, but what can I do?
The fire started 8/29 while I was in the shower. The fire dudes told me it was the battery charger that was the culprit. My car was based off of a 1988 Pontiac Fireo which had been properly stretched to the exact dimensions of the real Lamborghini. Everything on that car was real OEM Lamborghini parts (windshield, side and rear glass, marker lights, head lamps, fog lamps and all badges, you get the idea). The interior was $7000 of hand laid custom leather. Real Lamborghini speedometer and odometer! And to top it off, a brand new Chevy 5.7L 350 performance engine had been installed. On the date of the fire, there were exactly 500 miles on the car!!
I have not heard from the adjuster since this fire took place. My car is at the auction yard and I'm sure the adjuster has seen it by now (and it is a total loss). I can only assume he is trying to figure out how to assess a value to this type of car. And since I have ACV as my coverage: [Actual Cash Value = Market Value less Depreciation].
I put just over $72,000 into this car to make it perfect and exact. If you were to go to a professional builder of these cars, like Exotic Illusions in Archbald, PA, you will see $60,000, $65,000 and $75,000 for the three cars he currently preparing to sell.
I fear the adjuster will come back to me and give me an incredibly low number based on, oh I don't know.... it was a 1988 (but was completely and professionally rebuilt and with only 500 miles on the brand new engine).
How much wiggle room does someone in my position have when I have every receipt ever used on that car and a running journal and portfolio documenting everything along the way (keep in mind I still have not heard back from whomever this adjuster is) ?
Sorry to have rattled on for so long but I'm a little worried they will come back with a rediculously low figure - oh the company is USAA Ins. by the way.
Here are some pics of from when before I bought it, the work I've done to it, and then when it was complete. Of course then the fire.
[url]http://inthevalley.servebeer.com:8080/downloads/My%201988%20Lamborghini%20Portfolio/[url]
I think that's is how I properly post a link.
In the mean time, Thanks for lending me your ears and thanks for your time.
Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 12:27 pm Post Subject:
Oh you'll be surprised the lengths that will be gone too...you might get off alittle easier given your job, but look for them to talk to your neighbors, run credit check, phone recorders the whole nine....thanks for keeping us in the loop...
Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 01:40 pm Post Subject: I heard back from the adjuster....
Well, I've heard back from the adjuster and it is not good news. The company (CCC) that was hired to conduct the cost evaluation compared my Kit Car against 4 others that they thought were of equal quality and likeness. I had to spend hours creating a document spelling out why the cars CCC compared my car to were substandard not only in quality and workmanship but in cost as well.
Please check out the document that I created at the following link:
http://inthevalley.servebeer.com:8080/downloads/Lower_end_Kit_Cars/
Once there, select "Detailed Information.doc"
Let me know what you think
Eric
Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 03:40 pm Post Subject:
I think I _still_ don't want to be the adjuster handling this claim.
You provided all the information USAA could possibly want and need to address the claim correctly. I have no doubt that the CCC report was going to be whack (sorry, on a Whitney Houston kick). I think another mistake USAA could make is sending your information to CCC to have them review it. While I'm sure they would now sit down and have someone personally go over the info, which is much better, I don't know if CCC is really equipped to address this situation. I'm hoping USAA kicks it up to a manager to review and that they possibly use your information to settle the claim.
As I mentioned above, you pretty much handled them the information they need on a silver platter.
Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 11:31 pm Post Subject:
I think I _still_ don't want to be the adjuster handling this claim.
I KNOW I don't want to be.... :shock: what a mess...to try and figure out...mercy...
CCC (IMO) has a hard time getting a value correct on a 2000 cavalier...I knew this was going to be an issue and was really hoping CCC wouldn't be involve....
How are they coming on the SIU investigation? They really shouldn't even discuss value unless they have decided to pay/honor the claim...to be honest, this could be construed as implying there is coverage...and I thought they hadn't finished (in fact just started) their SIU investigation? :?
I agree with Todd you've done your homework...a well as the adjusters work....so apparently they have decided to treat/cover it as a kit car rather than how it was discribled when the policy was taken out? That's good news I thought sure you were gonna' get hung up on that...
Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2008 03:53 am Post Subject:
Well thank you love for the vote of confidence. I have in deed met with the insurance investigator today (in person) and he has already cleared me in the investigation. (personally I think being in the shower when the fire started may have had a wee bit of latitude on my behalf (lol).
Anyway, I have been cleared and the ball is now solely in the adjuster's court. I don't remember if I already mentioned this but the first appraisal came back at $44000 and my car is worth wayyyyy more than that.
So I put together I nice portfolio of the receipts and the vehicles they used to compare my car to and how they were not really all that worthy of being compared to my car.
Please feel free to visit that area on my server and let me know what you think.
http://inthevalley.servebeer.com:8080/downloads
When you get there, look at the folder named "Lower end Kit Cars" and you will see the cars that the insurance company tried to compare mine against.
Needless to say, they have offered me an adjusted value/payout of $72000. While this is great is great news for me, I only expected just under $65,000.
Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2008 07:33 am Post Subject:
Hi sniper168,
Its good to know that you have actually succeeded in achieving more than what you had guessed initially.
At the same time, I'd also like to mention that you'd done a nice job by forwarding all relevant documents. You could do this since you had maintained everything properly. All the best!
ArindamSenIndies
Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2008 12:17 pm Post Subject:
they have offered me an adjusted value/payout of $72000. While this is great is great news for me, I only expected just under $65,000.
Well MERRY CHRISTMAS! to you!Now time to start building again I guess...I doubt the shower had anything to do with it, unless you had a witness that could verify that! :lol: Like your entire neighborhood maybe!
I'm happy for you and like we said you did your homework, and it paid off, and then some!
Congrats!
Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2008 12:32 pm Post Subject:
Well, this has not come to conclusion just yet. I have yet to be paid (which I am only waiting for the supervisors, manager's boss to approve it - lol). Even then, once I am paid, it takes two years to build these cars and the builder has one that is ready to roll right now. So-o-o-o-o, I'm hoping to check that one out before it disappears.
I'll certainly come back with a final report in the next few days to week.
Thank you again,
Eric
Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2008 01:21 pm Post Subject:
You're welcome Eric, but you did most of the work yourself...congrats on a job well done.
Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2008 12:52 pm Post Subject: Conclusioni???
Well everyone, I thought I would write once again and let you all know that USAA has wired the settlement amount of $71,xxx (with deductible already taken out).
The investigator called me again the other day and told me that I may have left the battery charger on the battery too long - but assured me that this will not affect my claim, only their subbragation (sp?) against the manufacturer of the battery charger. I feel so bad, either way you look at it.
Oh yeah Miss Lori, about your comment of having witnesses on my shower event - well, when I ran outside with my shower rob barely on and dripping wet.... naw, nobody saw that; I hope! lol
Thank you again for all your support and information everyone. I really do appreciate your thread here.
I've been shopping for another one as of late, and it is surprisingly depressing. I've looked at two Lamborghini's and both have just not been as nice as mine. I want my car back! wahhhhhhhh!
Sincerely,
Eric
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