by rick7425 » Tue Jul 29, 2008 04:07 am
I have been going through the messages here and am trying to figure ACV for my truck. I checked Kelley, NADA, and Edmunds. I also searched the used lots for 100 miles as well as the news paper. I come up with about $26,000 but when the adjuster called today he said it was only worth $20,000. I went through how i arrived at the number and he said that is a national average and does not apply. They also deducted 1K for the exterior condition and 1K for the interior. The only cosmetic any thing on the exterior was from this accident and the only thing in the interior was a coke stain caused by this accident. I understand the adjusters job is to get his company out of this mess for as low as he can but how do you reason with them and at what piont do you just call in the attorney? I was sitting at a red light when their customers car ran into me, I say car because the customer loaned the car to a "friend" who had a suspended license and was arested at the scene. She hit me so hard it moved me 20+ feet and caused damage to 3 other cars. I was the first to file a claim but he said since there are others involved that I cant claim all of the 25k she had any way. I always thought it was first come first serve.
Thanks for any advice you can provide.
It is a 2005 chevrolet Avalanche with:
Location Dallas Tx
36,000 miles
custom Leather package: leather upholstery, heated front bucket seats with ten-way power adjustment
dual-zone automatic climate control
six-disc CD changer
Bose premium sound system with headphone jacks and rear-seat controls
steering-wheel-mounted audio controls
ower adjustable pedals
HomeLink transmitter
OnStar
power-folding mirrors w/turn signals, driver-side automatic day/night and passenger-side tilt-down back-up-aid mirrors
compass and outside temperature indicator on the inside rear-view mirror
heavy-duty trailering equipment
rear entertainment dvd system with wireless headsets
rear-window defogger
power windows, power locks, power mirrors
cruise control, remote keyless entry with two transmitters, tilt steering column with leather-wrapped steering wheel
intermittent windshield wipers
Sun roof
Luggage rack
Dual front airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes
Theft-deterrent system
Limited-slip differential
Wheel Flare and Molding Pkg
17" tires were 3 months old
Thanks for any advice you can provide.
It is a 2005 chevrolet Avalanche with:
Location Dallas Tx
36,000 miles
custom Leather package: leather upholstery, heated front bucket seats with ten-way power adjustment
dual-zone automatic climate control
six-disc CD changer
Bose premium sound system with headphone jacks and rear-seat controls
steering-wheel-mounted audio controls
ower adjustable pedals
HomeLink transmitter
OnStar
power-folding mirrors w/turn signals, driver-side automatic day/night and passenger-side tilt-down back-up-aid mirrors
compass and outside temperature indicator on the inside rear-view mirror
heavy-duty trailering equipment
rear entertainment dvd system with wireless headsets
rear-window defogger
power windows, power locks, power mirrors
cruise control, remote keyless entry with two transmitters, tilt steering column with leather-wrapped steering wheel
intermittent windshield wipers
Sun roof
Luggage rack
Dual front airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes
Theft-deterrent system
Limited-slip differential
Wheel Flare and Molding Pkg
17" tires were 3 months old
Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 01:23 pm Post Subject:
...Has this adjuster seen the other repair estimate?
Not that i know of. I swear I have Paris Hilton as my adjuster. I even asked that. She wants to tow it to the SAME BODY SHOP that totaled it the first time. I called the shop and they said to leave it where it is and have her call them. we are going on 3 weeks now and still no decision.
If that's true, I think THIS is the first time I would agree
The body shop said because the welds are not as strong as a solid frame the towing working load is greatly reduced. There is a plate kit like a patch that goes over the welds but the load limit is still not the same, it is close but not equal. glue 2 chopsticks together and try to pull them apart it takes far less effort to do than pulling a whole chopstick, or support then off the table and push down on them, the solid one will bend farther than the glued one before it will snap. I would agree 85% of people will never hook a trailer up to their truck but I do all the time. Just the angle at the boat ramp will put strain on the welds.
The body shop, which is approved by USAA, said they will not put the kit on mine because the bend is too great. They will only replace the entire frame.
what about the rest of the damage though?
There is the rub. It needs to be 15K or more to total it. with the front end and rear end we are at 11K so i dont see why it is even an issue. Unless it is only 3K to install the kit. And that is all before they tear it down. He didnt have the radiator listed as he said it is fine. I said I was pretty sure it isnt suposed to be bent like a V and the front bumper was not attached to it(the radiator) when I bought it.
On another topic. When do you sleep Lori. I see replies from midnight to 4 am from you.
:lol:
Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 09:28 am Post Subject:
I swear I have Paris Hilton as my adjuster. I even asked that.
:lol: :lol: Oh my gosh Rick you bout made me spit my coffee on my keyboard, that is hysterical! :lol: :lol: sounds to me like after a full tear down then it will total...is that 11k figure with replacing the entire frame? and entire (new) frame replacement for this truck will run about 4500 or so....not sure about the 'kit" but if one of their preferred or DRP shops say that this vehicle doesn't qualify for this then I'm pretty sure they won't write it..sucks you have to wait...AGAIN...On another topic. When do you sleep Lori. I see replies from midnight to 4 am from you.
Well I get a few hours hear and there...work all day, take care of grandson at night (while his mama works)...sleep some and start again... :wink:Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2008 02:13 am Post Subject:
Although I had fun with Mike on the Toyota thread, I shall vent my frustrations here. They still dont have an answer on my truck. It looks like they want to go ahead with a frame replacement which I just dont want to do. I know tcope will have something to say about it but the facts remain that it is worth less once " frame " is mentioned in any sale situation. So even if I get it fixed and trade it in the vaule is still lower. Now if we were talking 3 or 4 hundred i could live with that but we are talking 3 to 5 thousand.
So this is the part of the industries, both repair shop and insurance company I just dont understand. The first time it was at this shop under liberty mutual it was totaled. According to the shop manager, nothing could be done to fix it and they recomended it be a total loss and the adjuster agreed. Towed to the salvage yard, had to file with USAA for U I coverage and towed back to the same shop so another estimate on the proper USAA form could be done. FYI--This shop is preferred and recommended by USAA. NOW it is repairable and happens to come out to just under the trigger point of 65% (15k) of the value to total it.
6K for the frame 4k for the front end 4k for the rear end(14k).
It sure appears from my point of view that the shop that gets many of its customers from USAA doesnt want to bite the hand that feeds it. They are not a Liberty Mutual shop so what do they care how much it costs liberty mutual.
We are now almost 4 weeks into this and still no resolution in site. What are my options now ? Do I tow it to a different shop for a seperate estimate? Do I go to Liberty and demand Diminished Value? Do I hire a lawer at 33%? Do I tow it to my house take the repair check and sell it as salvage myself? Do I launch molotov cocktails over the fence in hopes of setting it on fire?
To some extent, I can see where Mike gets his jaded view.
I will wait here for the lightening to strike.
Oh yea, my adjusters voice mail message STILL says she will be back in the office yesterday.
Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2008 07:57 am Post Subject:
Is it reasonable to include the time lost to my family as pain and suffering? If you ever had to drag 3 kids to the car lot and sit for 5 hrs working the "deal" you would say yes.
It feels real bad...but sometimes its about how we accept the harsh realities of life..
But one thing I'd really love to know is whether this adjuster would bear any impact upon his mind when he goes through the other repair estimate!
I called the shop and they said to leave it where it is and have her call them.
Certainly a good way of avoiding things! Just that she keeps on calling them for good.
Regards..Fatman
Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2008 09:34 am Post Subject:
Ok, so you are saying Rick that the same shop that said it was a total now says it's repairable? Is that right? What is this person's excuse for the turn around? Are they doing a full frame replacement now? Has ALL damage been identified and written? Or is this just the frame amount? EXACTLY how far are they from a total loss at this point (in dollars and cents?)....see if you can find this out...also was is their salvage bid or contract, meaning exactly how much would they deduct for salvage if you kept it? You might try contacting some local yards on your own or IAA (ins auto auction) and ask them for an average what they think you could get selling it (as is) at auction....Have you told the adjuster all this? Any more word on the other carrier regarding what you can hope to recoup from them (if anything)? Call you adjuster again, if you get her v/m hit zero should route you to someone else, ask to speak to her supervisor, and explain this....also did an adjuster from your company actually write an estiamte AFTER your vehicle was totally torn down or has that even happened yet? I totally get your frustration...I'd be standing on their desk screaming by now...(although I don't recommend this it got me in some trouble in an airport in AZ once :roll: )
Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2008 12:03 am Post Subject:
Hey lori.
Ok, so you are saying Rick that the same shop that said it was a total now says it's repairable?
Yes the exact same shop.Are they doing a full frame replacement now? Has ALL damage been identified and written?
Yes the are replacing the entire frame. I just got the official write up 15 min ago and now it is $8102.21 for everything. The damage has to be greater than $15,000 before they (USAA) will total it.
The only thing I can figure is that liberty mutual has a no frame clause where if there is frame dammage they dont fix it they just total it. Or their adjuster was blowing smoke to force me to file on my U I coverage but I dont see the benifit of that. He told me there was $14,000 in damage. He could of been looking at the wrong file I supose.
Have you told the adjuster all this?
The cops laughed when I tried to put out an Amber alert for her.I pressed "O" and got a live person that said he only handled injury claims and Evette was the person I needed to talk to. I told him I have left 10 messages and didnt believe she was a real person. He transfered me to her supervisor and I left him a message as it seems no one works past 5:30. The other carrier isnt returning calls either. It must be a busy time of the year.
I assume I will have to call dealers to see what the DV is going to be. Or is there a website that will help with this?
Looks like I will have to take yet another day off to deal with this as my BOSS is starting to get upset with me spending his time fixing my problem.
I truley have never had this kind of avoidance from USAA. The few times I have called them (my wife has backed into a few things) they are always johnny on the spot. Everytime some one cold calls for brand "X" and I tell them I have USAA they dont bother trying to get me to switch and I have had several people tell me they are one of the best to deal with and they take care of their customers. Maybe times have changed.
Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2008 12:07 am Post Subject:
FYI this is what they sent me.
2005 CHEV C1500 4X2 AVALANCHE 8-5.3L-FI 4D P/U
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NO. OP. DESCRIPTION QTY EXT. PRICE LABOR PAINT
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 FRONT BUMPER
2 O/H front bumper 2.3
3** Repl RECOND Bumper assy chrome 1 332.00 Incl.
4** Repl Qual Repl Parts CAPA Upper 1 104.00 Incl.
cap black textured
5 Repl RT Mount bracket 1 28.74 Incl.
6 Repl LT Mount bracket 1 28.74 Incl.
7 Repl RT Mount brace 1 21.33 Incl.
8 Repl LT Mount brace 1 21.33 Incl.
9 Repl Air deflector 1 98.24 Incl.
10 GRILLE
11 Repl Grille cashmere 1 465.49 0.3 2.0
12 FRONT LAMPS
13** Repl Qual Repl Parts RT Support 1 17.00 0.3
14 HOOD
15* Rpr Hood Avalanche w/o cladding 4.0 2.7
16* Add for Clear Coat 1.3
17 QUARTER PANEL
18* Rpr RT Quarter panel Avalanche 5.0 2.7
w/o cladding
19 Overlap Major Non-Adj. Panel -0.2
20 Add for Clear Coat 0.5
21 R&I RT Flare 0.3
22 R&I RT Upper molding
23 R&I RT Upper trim panel 0.4
24# Repl "LT" EMBLEM 1 11.75
25 FRAME
26# Repl MECHANICAL LABOR FOR FRAME 1 15.5 M
27* Repl Frame assy 1500 w/o cladding 1 2661.79 15.5
28 Add for oil cooler m 0.3 M
29 Add for trans cooler m 0.4 M
30# Subl A/C Recharge 1 125.00 X
31 REAR LAMPS
32 R&I RT Tail lamp assy Avalanche 0.3
33 REAR BUMPER
34 O/H bumper assy 1.8
35** Repl RECOND Rear bumper chrome 1 340.00 Incl.
36 Repl RT Rear bumper bracket 1 66.82 Incl.
37 Repl LT Rear bumper bracket 1 66.17 Incl.
38 Repl RT Rear bumper brace 1 46.31 Incl.
39 Repl LT Rear bumper brace 1 46.31 Incl.
40 Repl RT Step pad upper 1 104.15 Incl.
41 Repl LT Step pad upper 1 110.34 Incl.
42 Repl Step pad lower 1 50.68 Incl.
43 Repl Trailer hitch 1 183.57 1.0
44 REAR BODY & FLOOR
45* Rpr Rear crossmember 4.0 1.0
46# Subl HAZARDOUS WASTE 1 3.00
47# Repl Cover Car for Overspray 1 3.00
48# Repl M Corrosion Protection 1 5.00
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotals ==> 4940.76 51.4 10.0
PAY CODE =02
PRIOR DAMAGES =NA
DRIVABLE = NO
MILEAGE IN =36140
Parts 4815.76
Body Labor 35.2 hrs @ $ 38.00/hr 1337.60
Paint Labor 10.0 hrs @ $ 38.00/hr 380.00
Mechanical Labor 16.2 hrs @ $ 75.00/hr 1215.00
Paint Supplies 10.0 hrs @ $ 28.00/hr 280.00
Sublet/Misc. 125.00
Pre-Tax Discount -5.5% -448.43
----------------------------------------------------
SUBTOTAL $ 7704.93
Sales Tax $ 4815.50 @ 8.2500% 397.28
----------------------------------------------------
GRAND TOTAL $ 8102.21
ADJUSTMENTS:
Deductible 500.00
----------------------------------------------------
CUSTOMER PAY $ 500.00
INSURANCE PAY $ 7602.21
Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2008 12:43 am Post Subject:
4** Repl Qual Repl Parts CAPA Upper 1 104.00 Incl.
-probably won't match color or texture, (rear or mldgs) I never use these...be sure you check this when done...cap black textured
Ok, well she ain't a total that's for sure...what color is your truck? Out of curiousity how did we get damage to the hood, and front bumper then jump all the way back to the right 1/4 and rear bumper, and cause enough damage to the frame to replace it? Very very odd hit...
Well, I think more than likely either the other carrier does have a total frame replacement manditory total loss, or more than likely who ever looked at it didn't know what they were looking at....
Now, unreturned calls is a HUGE thing to me....Call back and keep hitting zero until you talk to someone in charge...don't stop till you get someone, and after you explain what's going on, or if they can't help you tell them you have had it, and your next call will be the the president of claims for USAA followed closely by a call to your states Dept of Ins....to file a complaint because this is flippin' ridiculous!
Re: your dv claim, start contacting local dealers, see if they will write up what they would've given you on trade before this loss and now after it is repaired, (of course tell them the frame has been replaced)....Now here's something that's liable to really tick you off...if there's a limit's issue (and there is)...your company will go for their pro-rata share, if it's less than your repairs...I think you 'might' be out your dv as well.....don't hit me....I didn't do it....but this is something (should you ever get ahold of Paris again)...you need to ask about....
Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2008 02:17 am Post Subject:
don't hit me....I didn't do it
LOL Never, you might hit back. (leaving Mike references out )
I figured as much on the DV but if you dont ask you dont get an answer right? I am sure they wont offer it out of the goodness of their hearts.
It is what chevy calls silver birch the shop called it gold.
Very very odd hit...
Mine is the not red one :)
Please limit the fat guy comments too..... :D
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28952432@N06/sets/72157606716535955/
Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2008 09:17 am Post Subject:
The reason I asked about the color, depending on where the damage is on the hood and 1/4 blend more than likely is needed (especially if it's a silver)...unless it's fairly minor and smack dab in the middle of the panels...
Oh my gosh Rick! I hope no body was hurt...because that is an almost funny scene, I can't belive how that (is it a neon?) went under that mercury! oh man! that's somethin! Ok I get now how your damage happen! :lol: :lol: bet that poor lead guy in the (looks like) Mercury suv...thought What the hell? :lol: :lol: this is chain reaction wreck at it's best/worse...
Ok...first...ask the shop about your left rear tire looks to me like the bumper is into it...also I don't think I saw an alignment on the estimate ask about that as well (should be a duh but you never know)....no damage to your tail gate? forget about the blend I see now why it's not on there..there are a few minor r&i items missing that's the shops job to figure and ask for that won't affect the repair...make sure you bring up the tire(s) especially the left rear have shop check all four if you moved while your brakes where locked up could have flat/bald spots...also ask about the alignment....this is one of your companys preferred shops right? so they will/are backing the repair? Tell the shop too that if that a/m top pad on the front bumper doesn't match in color and texture with the rear one and mldgs you won't be accepting it...
Sorry dude just no way to total it...just be sure you are checking in with the shop atleast once a week, stop by periodically if you can and see how there are coming with it...
Please limit the fat guy comments too.....
What are you kiddin' me? I don't see any fat guys!Add your comment