I had a truck pull in front of me on the morning of Jan.1, 07. Started my year out great. it totaled my van. I had a '94 GMC Safari. It did have high milage, nearly 190,000 miles. BUT, it was a one owner vehicle that I had bought less than 10 months ago. It had been maintained it's entire life, and was still a very strong motor. Liberty Mutual is offering me almost $1,000 less than the cheapest same model that I can find. That also includes the Chevy Astro, which is just a name away from being the same.I would have accepted $500 less, MAYBE. But by the time I pay taxes and all that bull, I am getting really financially taken. Also what about any pain and suffering, I didn't see a doctor, but I felt pain, and I'm STILL suffering? I am not out to steal a $1000 from some poor conglomerate corp; But, how can I get what I deserve? What happens if we cannot agree on a price? will this go before a judge, or are the big guys covered there too??
2007-01-16 14:42:48 · 7 answers · asked by hudson_floridamale 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Insurance & Registration
Since your vehicle is over 10 years old, it has no 'official' value. What they will offer is the value of the vehicle at the time of loss, adjusted for condition. That means they will look at prices for similar vehicles for their base, and subtract for the high mileage. Insurance never gives replacement value. Of course you don't have to accept what they are offering, and you can counter offer if you want, which may or may not be fruitful. I do wish you luck with it.
2007-01-16 14:54:53 · answer #1 · answered by oklatom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Total loss settlements are *somewhat* negotiable. You can probably meet in the middle on this between the 1k difference. However, if they have documentation to prove the value of your vehicle there will be no beating that in or out of court. The harsh reality is that your 13 year old van was more than likely very close to being an "operational total loss" which basically means the age and mileage had brought the value down already to where the cost of even a small repair would exceed the value. Time to move on to a better vehicle and accept the fact that it may cost you more in order to do that. Keep in mind that when a total loss evaluation is done, it's automatically assumed that the vehicle was maintained. You don't get extra $ for the one owner, "I changed the oil like clockwork and wiped it with a soft cloth diaper every week" scenario.
2007-01-16 23:00:26 · answer #2 · answered by Chris 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First of all, LM should be offering you whatever the book value is. YOu need to cut out the ads in your local paper that shows the models that you say cost $1,000 more. If the milage isn't equivelant, you'll need to adjust for milage. Liberty should be adding tax & title to that figure, when they cut you a check. You CAN negotiate the settlement! Actually, call your agent, ask them to do it for you. It's reasonable to expect an additional $500 out of them, PLUS tax & title.
If you weren't hurt enough to see a doctor, you aren't going to get any pain and suffereing, sorry.
If you can't agree to a price, you will have to sue the owner of the vehicle in court, and then you'll have to prove to the judge exactly how much your 94 GMC Safari with 190,000 miles is worth. He's going to look at KBB value, and milage, etc, so you'll basically have to do the same thing I told you to do in paragraph #1.
Lots of luck.
2007-01-17 01:06:04 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Actual cash value is what it is. Insurance companies simply plug your vehicle into a computer system and put in the miles and options and bam- out comes a number. Sure, you can not accept it. But they will simply say "OK" and close the file. Theres not much negiotation about it.
As far as "pain and suffering" haha- how many law commercials have you been watching? Insurance owes your NOTHING for your injury unless you were PERMENANTLY injured in this accident. You sound fine. "Suffering" doesnt include going through the car accident process and not getting what you watned for your totalled vehicle... suffering is losing a leg and having to live what that your whole life.
And dont listen to the fools who tell you to get a lawyer.. i mean.. unless you want to lose 1/3 of that offer that they already gave you
2007-01-17 01:47:39 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's going to be hard to prove the value on a 12 year old vehicle with almost 200,000 miles. As far as pain and suffering, since you didn't see a doctor it's probably too late to assert that claim, either. Counter-offer the 500 under value OR take the person to small calims court.
2007-01-16 15:01:08 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry for the bad start to the New Year. Mine kicked off in the ER, no fun.
OK, according to KBB, the retail on that is around $2,200. That's for a standard model with typical equipment. Go to http://www.kbb.com and look up the retail value based on the exact model you own and it's equipment.
You're not going to get anthing more than actual cash value from the insurance company. If you can prove that a similar model of that age and miles is worth more than they're offering they should pay up without too much argument.
Keep in mind that your mileage is about double the norm for that vintage. That will hurt somewhat. With average mileage (96,000) it books out a bit higher at around $2,565. If they're offering you somewhere between $2,200 and $2,500, take the offer; you won't get any more than that.
2007-01-16 16:31:36 · answer #6 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My son was hit at low speed and suffered whiplash from an uninsured driver who refused to accept that he had whiplash, but as he was talking to me I could see his neck going over. He won. I should see a personal injury no win no fee solicitor and let his insurance pay your legal fees when they lose. I think the insurers are trying it on because you are doing it for yourself. Liability is not in dispute just the amount
2016-05-23 22:51:59 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋