Date: Mon, 10 Nov 2008 11:45:02 -0800
Reply-To: Matt Drew <t3vanagon@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Matt Drew <t3vanagon@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: [WetWesties] BLACKBREARD - the debacle ESCALATES
In-Reply-To: <000801c9436a$b40f8480$1c2e8d80$@net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Understood, but the whole issue is that the initial value in this case is
based on NOTHING!
I need to prove that the value of the vehicle is CONSIDERABLY more than
their initial evaluation - which did not take a NUMBER of factors into
account (ie OEM optional equipment) and was also based in part on the
"market value" of the vehicle - which was derived by two brief discussions
with retailers who had, according to the adjuster, "similar vehicles"
currently for sale in my market.
Again, one of them didn't even know what a Vanagon WAS, and the other gave
him the selling price of a '90 Cabriolet that he sold at some point in the
past year....
The bottom line here is that the value of the Vanagon is in fact greater
than the estimated cost of repairs, but I'm not even being given the
opportunity to prove that.
I don't care (and completely understand) that I will be able to keep the
vehicle.
That's not the issue.
"THEIR" value is CR@P!
The issue is that I will be able to keep it with a salvage title, but the
salvage title is based on 100% BS!
Further, the fact that the adjust has stated ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION that
he doesn't know what he's doing makes it extremely difficult for me to roll
over and say "well, alrighty then. I'll go ahead and take it in the shorts.
Thanks so much for your time, and my regards to your company for allowing me
to save them money on my claim".
Thanks, but I'm gonna keep my dukes up on this one.
I think there's a fight here, and I'm not about ready to throw in the towel
. . .
-Drew
On Mon, Nov 10, 2008 at 11:29 AM, Rick Nathan
<dolphinstar@dolphin-star.net>wrote:
> Matt,
>
> My wife is in the insurance business and she tells me that, yes, the
> adjuster is calling the vehicle a total. They are coming up with this
> assessment based on the blue book value verses repair costs currently
> involved. This does NOT mean you will lose the vehicle. You will sign a
> release paper with the insurance company that allows them to total the
> vehicle and they will send you the money at their value. Then you will agree
> to KEEP the vehicle and not send it to any recycler or whatever. By keeping
> the vehicle you will agree that this vehicle is totaled and you CAN NEVER
> FILE ANY CLAIM against this vehicle for the remainder of the life of the
> vehicle. This means that you cannot ever get collision or comprehensive
> insurance on this vehicle. You can get liability and property damage
> insurance which is coverage for the 'other' guy if you are in some accident.
>
>
>
> The insurance company has to take the route of going through the agent,
> then the claims adjuster, and the total loss adjuster.
>
>
>
> My wife is not directly involved with auto insurance but her expertise is
> in large risks accounts like small cities, large companies and their fleets
> of vehicles, and such.
>
>
>
> You should be able to find out this process from someone in your insurance
> company and not just get these mystical responses about what the future
> holds for you if you DO take the total loss avenue.
>
>
>
> Regards,
>
> Rick in Seattle
>
>
>
> 84 GL "Blauer Ziegelstein"
>
