by Guato45 » Tue Jul 20, 2010 10:15 pm
So I have a 2003 Nissan 350z and I was in a wreck where I was rearended by a guy going about 30 MPH. So I took it to the other parties insurance companies service shops. The adjuster has been hard to reach for over a week now. Finally I talked to him today and he said my car is valued at 13000 so he thinks they can fit it in so it doesn't have to get totaled. He said so far the estimate was at $9175 but they still have to take it apart more for closer damage inspection. Originally they told me they pay up to 70% of vehicle damage and if it goes over they total it out a give me fair market value. Well if my math is correct 70% is roughly 9100. So how does that math work out when their still expecting to find some more damage from what he told me. I don't mind either way seeing how I have the car paid off already. I just want to know if I need to start looking for the car or not. Its been in the shop for over a week and they finally just did part of the estimate. I'm also afraid with that much damage will it ever drive the same. I just really need to know do I have any say over this since the damage is so extensive plus what if after they start working on it they find more damage will they finish the job or possiby total it after already putting work into it. Sorry for the long sporadic post ,but I'm just super stressed with this ordeal. By the way I live in Texas if that matters
Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2010 12:06 am Post Subject:
Well if my math is correct 70% is roughly 9100.
Your math is correct, your vehicle is a total loss. At this point, there is no reason to allow the shop to take it apart to find more damage. Call the shop and tell them to stop any work. Call the adjuster and tell him you want to settle.
Its been in the shop for over a week and they finally just did part of the estimate
They would have stopped there. You need to find out what is going on.
I just really need to know do I have any say over this since the damage is so extensive plus what if after they start working on it they find more damage will they finish the job or possiby total it after already putting work into it.
You do, it's your vehicle. Do not let them continue pouring fuel on the fire, it will not end well for you.
For more information, please click the link in my signature, and go to the consumer section of the site. There you find a lot material to help you out. If you need additional assistance, email us or send me a private message.
Right now, you need to take control of this deal. Do not let the insurer or the shop take control.
Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2010 03:28 am Post Subject:
I just want to know if I need to start looking for the car or not. Its been in the shop for over a week
If your policy has a provision about 'rent a car' for the period of claim settlement,you can surely avail that.
Contact the shop and just ask them whether the car is totaled or not.If they are saying that it is repairable then you can wait and by that time get a rented car from insurance company.
If car is totaled search for a new car and meanwhile ask for settlement from the insurance company and thus you will have money to purchase the new car.
Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2010 04:38 am Post Subject:
My main concern is how do I make sure they return it to the condition before the wreck so it drives the same. I'm afraid that since its so close they don't want to have to total it and give me 13K. I'm afraid they will cut corners in the repairs or miss something in an effort just to save them money. By the way I took it to service king where they have state farms onsite adjuster. Thats who I have been dealing with.
Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2010 10:48 am Post Subject:
I'm afraid that since its so close they don't want to have to total it and give me 13K.
I agree that it is very close,so they are trying to save money.But it will be in your favor if they total the vehicle.Because you will be getting a brand new car for your use.
Now If you want the insurance firm to settle a vehicle with total loss, then you need the repair estimate to be high enough. You need to debate and persuade the adjuster that s/he is missing some items.
DIMG
Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2010 11:53 am Post Subject:
You need to debate and persuade the adjuster that s/he is missing some items.
No it needs to go to a repairer that will write a complete estimate that list all the damages and repairs that are required. You should be asking this repair shop many questions.
As I said, if the intial estimate is $9100 before they even taken it apart and they are talking about writing the estimate as they go, that is a big problem. At 70% before tear down and repairs begin, what does the insurer and shop plan on doing to keep it at 70%? If they are "trying" to avoid totalling the car, what is the plan? Are they cutting corners (a common practice in some insurer preferred shops) repairing things free of charge or are they using after market or used parts to keep it at 70%. You need to get involved, I mean really involved in this repair. Go to the shop and have someone go over the estimate line by line and get some answers. Take control.
My main concern is how do I make sure they return it to the condition before the wreck so it drives the same.
Insurance companies refer to this as Pre-Loss Condition. Returning the vehicle to what it was before the accident. It's a catch 22. Although a vehicle can be repaired correctly, it will lose value because it's been repaired and because of the repair, the vehicle can never be the same as it was before the accident.
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