by karlamccormack » Sat Jun 11, 2011 01:31 am
A driver hit me and totaled my 96 car. It was deemed totaled because it would cost as much to fix as it is worth. It is driveable, (back door damaged)but it has to be salvage titled and tag turned in to the dmv. The insurance company made me an offer of two options, one if I keep the salvaged car, and one if I give it to them. I am still trying to make an informed decision. It has only been 3 weeks. I keep getting pressured to tell them my decision. They can't change the amount they are offering before I decide can they??
Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2011 03:23 am Post Subject:
They won't change the offer as it obviously the correct amount. The are "pressuring" you, if for no other reason, only because they are getting 10 claims a week. If they don't close 10 claims a week then they just have a ton of claim to monitor. Some people can juggle 10 balls... but it's a whole other story to juggle 200. As long as it's not costing them anything then just tell them that you understand they want to close the claim but you just need a little more time.
Are you saying that they made the offer 3 weeks ago or that the accident was 3 weeks ago? I can't imagine it would take longer then a day or two to decide what you want to do.
Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2011 04:17 am Post Subject: Totaled Car Offer
Well, it has been hard for me to decide, because if I keep it, it is useless. Can't drive it & have to turn the tag in, but nothing is wrong with it except the crunched in side. Why do they make the rules so hard! It will have a salvage title. On the other hand, I bought it to have as a second car, so that a car is always home. If I give it to them, I have no second car. It is catch 22. Also, nine yards of paperwork to fill out, and I work, then go to the chiroprator every day (almost) when I get off work. Honestly, I am too exausted to tackle all the paperwork I have to read, fill out, send back to that insurance company. I have had major daily headaches every day since the accident. So, that is why I have not given them an answer and got the paperwork back to them. My decision is to keep it, but just getting it all done is the problem now. But I get a phone call or email almost everyday wanting to know when I am going to respond to them. I did not cause the accident!!! Their policy holder did. Leave me alone, and let me have my own pace to get it back to them. I don't even understand the paperwork yet.......
Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2011 04:17 am Post Subject: Totaled Car Offer
Well, it has been hard for me to decide, because if I keep it, it is useless. Can't drive it & have to turn the tag in, but nothing is wrong with it except the crunched in side. Why do they make the rules so hard! It will have a salvage title. On the other hand, I bought it to have as a second car, so that a car is always home. If I give it to them, I have no second car. It is catch 22. Also, nine yards of paperwork to fill out, and I work, then go to the chiroprator every day (almost) when I get off work. Honestly, I am too exausted to tackle all the paperwork I have to read, fill out, send back to that insurance company. I have had major daily headaches every day since the accident. So, that is why I have not given them an answer and got the paperwork back to them. My decision is to keep it, but just getting it all done is the problem now. But I get a phone call or email almost everyday wanting to know when I am going to respond to them. I did not cause the accident!!! Their policy holder did. Leave me alone, and let me have my own pace to get it back to them. I don't even understand the paperwork yet.......
Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2011 04:41 am Post Subject:
My recommendation is to simply let the adjuster know your situation. Ask the adjuster if they would not mind calling you in 2 weeks, 4 weeks, what ever amount of time you need. I'm betting if you ask, they will not have an issue with this (as long as the delay does not cost them anything). To be honest, as an adjuster I've had people complain that I call them too often (get this complaint not too often) and get people who complain that I don't call them enough. An adjuster is obligated to move the claim forward. As I said, most complaints are that the claim is not moving forward fast enough... that the adjuster is taking too long. I've get to have a Dept of Insurance complaint that the claim was moving too quickly.
If the vehicle is safe to drive then you can probably have the DMV inspect it and if it passes, obtain a tag and drive it. It will still have a salvage title but I don't think that is going to bother you.
Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2011 01:47 pm Post Subject: Totaled Car Offer
In my state (GA), you have to turn the tag in. To get it registered again, you have to get the car fixed, and have it inspected in Atlanta (3 hours away). Then apply for a rebuilt title...
Is there anyway around all that mess? Gee, I just want to keep my car and still be able to drive it occasionally. :(
Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2011 05:29 am Post Subject:
In my state (GA), you have to turn the tag in. To get it registered again, you have to get the car fixed, and have it inspected in Atlanta (3 hours away). Then apply for a rebuilt title...Is there anyway around all that mess?
Move to Tennessee?
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