My car was hit in rear-colision and the ins.comp. of the other person involved is offering to pay for the car instead to repair it. The money, however, is not enough to buy similar car in 300 miles from my place. They say that my car had an old dent, I say that the dent didn't bother me because the car run great and I was not going to sell it.
2006-10-13 15:29:39 · 9 answers · asked by gita 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Insurance & Registration
buy your car back and fix it, other wise there's nothing you can do other then take the money shut up and but a different car. the insurance company is only going to give you money for what the car is worth.
2006-10-13 15:33:13 · answer #1 · answered by mustang656 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Doesn't matter- the old dent still has an effect on the value whether it bothered you or not. I've answered this question a lot and I always say the same thing- the total loss is somewhat negotiable, but the adjuster has hard data and information on how much that same vehicle will sell for in the market, so you won't really "win" if you hold out or try to take them on. Your best bet is to take what they're offering (you might be able to get a couple hundred more if you negotiate, but that's questionable) and use it as a downpayment on the next car. If you have proof that the offer is lower than cars just like yours are selling for you can use that to negotiate.
2006-10-14 01:26:57 · answer #2 · answered by Chris 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
While you don't have to accept their first offer and may well be able to negotiate a higher amount, that old dent is coming back to haunt you. It's the "Catch-22" of the insurance industry.
They only owe you the actual cash value of the vehicle immediately prior to the accident. Insurance companies will ALWAYS deduct the pre-existing damage. There is NO way around that. The fact that the dent didn't bother you is immaterial. It reduced the actual cash value of the vehicle and the insurance company is going to use that to their advantage.
Your best bet is to negotiate with the insurance company. Find out how much they're deducting for the dent. Get a couple of estimates from local body shops on the cost of repairing that dent and compare it to what the insurance company is reducing the value of the vehicle due to the old damage.
If the insurance company is offering you the Blue Book retail value, less the cost of repairing the dent, you're pretty much stuck with that. You might chip away for an extra couple of hundred if you're lucky but that's about it.
2006-10-14 00:23:43 · answer #3 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Have you done research? How did you determine that your car is worth more that what they are offering? If you can prove they are not offering actual cash value or market value, they will pay. Honest. There is simply no advantage for them to low-ball you and drag this claim out longer than it has to for a few hundred dollars. Market value is what the buying public will pay for a product. If you can produce ads and/or photos and honest prices for several vehicles like yours (similar condition, mileage and options) for sale in your area for more than they are offering this will be no problem. Try working WITH them before you argue with them. It is possible they are making a fair offer which is far different than what you WANT. They have no obligation to replace your car (as stated by one of the dumb@ssed readers) and have every right to deduct for prior condition, which includes collision damage and wear. If you hire a lawyer (also suggested by other dumb@sses) he will only take 40% of your settlement and will not 'force' one dime more from the insurance company. They have an army of lawyers on staff and are not afraid of some dime store hack that advertises on late night TV. If you are facing an incompetent or just dumb adjuster, request to speak to his/her manager, and theirs if you still feel you are being stonewalled. Do this until you feel someone has given you a satisfactory explaination for the offer. You will go much farther by keeping your cool and acting professional vs going poastal and crying lawsuit.
2006-10-13 16:37:26 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tell them to bring you another car of comparable value (before crashed) and take yours away! I think that (most states anyway),- you have the option to elect for a different car, - and the insurance commission or the state atourney general would problbly be helpful in getting satisfactory settlement!
Don't settle for repair job, - if it was messed up at all in the suspension, becauese it will cost a lot of money to get someone who will get it right the first time, - and you may be without a car for 6 months while they are getting it all together for you to drive again!
I've "been there and done that!"
2006-10-13 16:12:57 · answer #5 · answered by guess78624 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Look in publications like "Auto Trader" for vehicles like yours, same year, model, etc. Copy half a dozen ads and present then to the insurance company to show them that their offer is low and they will probably bring their offer up within reason!
2006-10-13 15:42:49 · answer #6 · answered by kidneyoperation 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They ALWAYS try to "low ball" people. If you don't accept their offer, they drag it out forever and make you take them to court.
Make sure you know what the car is/was REALLY worth.
2006-10-13 15:34:04 · answer #7 · answered by Trump 2020 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Don't have to take it . Take the Ins Company to Court and Sue them. Sue the guy that hit you and the Ins Co.
2006-10-13 15:37:52 · answer #8 · answered by marshoberg55 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
you need to go to attorney to help you out their good on that dont let the insurance comp to buy coz its cheaper for them consult a collision expert atty
2006-10-13 15:52:34 · answer #9 · answered by Paul671 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋