What is the best tactic to argue with an insurance claims adjuster?

Question

I just bought a car for 6500, sunk in an extra 1000 (have receipts), and crashed it. They are offering me 5100, and that's BEFORE my deductible. That's less than I still owe on the car!

What is the best way to argue my case without shooting myself in the foot (cussing, threatening, etc... i figure those options are out)?

adding details: its a 1995 acura legend, in near-perfect condition, but with 174000 miles on it. blue book is 5,800-6500. i'd admit that MAYBE i overpaid by 200-300 dollars... but that's it! they're offering me 5100!!!!! and they won't budge. i got the supervisor's name and # but i haven't called yet.

i have AAA insurance.

Answer 1

I am a body shop manager and have dealt with this many times. This is what you need to do....Get three sources of pricing for your vehicle. The local classifieds, kbb.com, and newspaper/magazine ad from a retail car lot should do it. Find your same year/make/model with comparable miles and amenities and show it to the insurance company. The trick is to find the higher priced ads for examples. This evidence is used to show the insurance company that u r aware of how to determine the preaccident market value of your vehicle. Let's say when you average your three examples you come up with $6100. They offer you $5100...they will meet you in the middle at $5600. You then tell them that you have receipts for aftermarket parts that you would like to retain and that you will put back on the original equipment. You can mitigate your loss more effectively that way. Good luck.

Answer 2

That's very high mileage on a 12 year old car. Blue book is a guide for you, but the insurance company is using market value - ie, what that same vehicle should cost to buy in your area. I did a quick check of NADA (with what info you gave, which wasn't all the details) and they're even lower that what AAA is telling you.

The insurance company only owes you what the car is worth, not what you paid or what's owed on it, unfortunately.

The money you put into the car doesn't increase the value if it was required to have it on the road, it's an assumed cost of car ownership. And unless your car was100% garage-kept and is 100% original, don't expect to get the "excellent" value.

You need to argue facts with facts - you need to call dealers and find your car (make, model, year, condition) for sale somewhere IN YOUR AREA and find out what the prices are. Print these off the internet, find ads, get something in writing from a dealer, anything to build your case.

You may find the offer is fair. However if you're getting higher numbers from doing the above, call the insurance company, outline the prices you've found and give them the suporting documentation, and make a reasonable counter-offer request.

Be calm and polite, you'll get alot further... they're just doing a job, it's not personal. But just calling and saying, "My car was cherry, give me more money," isn't going to cut it.

Best of luck!

Answer 3

It doesn't really matter what you paid for it, or what the replacement costs would be. They only owe you the worth of the vehicle at the time of loss, adjusted for condition. If the thousand you put in increased the value of the car, like for example an upgraded stereo system, or new paint, discuss that with him and have your receipts. Keep in mind if you paid 1,000 for a paint job, and it increased the value of the vehicle $350, you'd only get the smaller credit. Things like new tires, new belts, etc. are considered maintenance and they would not give you anything for that. Check the ads for your make and model of vehicle and have some idea what the worth is before you sit down with the adjuster. Good luck with it.

Answer 4

You do not say what type of car it is and what type of shape its in. Unless you can come up with the blue book value of your car and its more than what they are offering I think your sunk.Try finding another car for sale that is the same as your with about same mileage and condition.If price is more in your favour you could also use that.Sorry to say but if you over paid for the car insurance won't pay for it . Sucks I know.You need as many facts as you can get your hands on the prove that it will cost you your 7500 bucks to replace that car. Good luck hope I helped

Answer 5

I would recommend you to visit this site where onel can compare rates from different companies: http://insurancetocompare.info/index.html?src=5YAyupqlHD761

RE :What is the best tactic to argue with an insurance claims adjuster?
I just bought a car for 6500, sunk in an extra 1000 (have receipts), and crashed it. They are offering me 5100, and that's BEFORE my deductible. That's less than I still owe on the car!

What is the best way to argue my case without shooting myself in the foot (cussing, threatening, etc... i figure those options are out)?
Update: adding details: its a 1995 acura legend, in near-perfect condition, but with 174000 miles on it. blue book is 5,800-6500. i'd admit that MAYBE i overpaid by 200-300 dollars... but that's it! they're offering me 5100!!!!! and they won't budge. i got the supervisor's name and # but i haven't called yet.

i have AAA insurance.
Follow 5 answers

Answer 6

If you have full coverage,.. then I dont know why your not on that phone demanding to be heard also you need to switch Insurance Companies AAA is not always the best in fact they are never the best in my book! If you only half the way covered ...say only liabilty .....well that gives you the answer.Sorry