Heres the story: I woke up to go to work one morning and my car wasnt there. I made sure nobody was screwing with me first then I called 911 to report my car was stolen. They ask me all sorts of questions and then tell me they found my car overnight parked at a street light in the middle of the road. They said the keys were found in the ignition and it was reported abandoned. The police department had my vehicle impounded. So I went to pick up my truck at the impound yard. It wouldnt start. The engine was fried and blown. My insurance company sent a man to look and asses the truck. He said my oil pan was cracked and they prolly ran it with no oil causing it to blow. My insurance company says that it was poor maintanance that caused my engine to blow, not the car being stolen. The body shop my vehicle is at says they hit something causing the crack. My insurance company wont repair my vehicle. Is their any more action I can take? what can I do?
2007-11-08 11:32:15 · 6 answers · asked by coolguy3721 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Insurance & Registration
The keys in the ignition were a spare set I lost almost 2 years ago.
2007-11-08 11:38:17 · update #1
hmm.. im an adjuster and that sounds fishy. Of course.. i didnt see your car... so.. it could be a huge POS and the insurance adjuster had a point when they realized youd just run it into the ground.
Ask you adjuster (calmly) if you can have an independent third party appraiser look at the vehicle and determine if the damage is theft related.
understand that there are TONS of fake thefts that happen when someones POS breaks down and they want a new car.. so.. thats why they are grilling you here.
Just be persistant and calm and if you really do have a point. youll likely get your way. Ask to speak to a manager and ask for an explanation... listen to their side as well.
2007-11-08 11:50:41 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Something is missing from your post. You lost your keys and _two years later_ someone matches them up with your car? How did they know they belonged to your car? Perhaps they have been trying the keys in all the same make cars and it took them 2 years to finally find the right one? If they knew the keys belonged to your car, why would they wait 2 years to steal it? Something does not add up. Perhaps your carrier is denying it as they suspect it was not really stolen?
Your insurance company sent one of their representatives out who stated that the oil pan was cracked and this is what caused the engine to fail? If this is a representative of the carrier and he actualy inspected the car, why would another person in the company, who has never seen your car, state the two things were not related? Did you ask this question? What was their response?
You can file a complaint with your states Dept of Insurance and have them look into the matter. But my recommendation is to speak to the adjusters supervisor and find out why they thing a cracked oil pan, leading to oil not running through the engine, would not have caused the damage to the engine. If they are going by with the appraiser (who inspected your vehicle) saw, ask them if they would please send out a different appraiser for a 2nd opinion as the repair center seems to agree that the cracked oil pan caused the engine to fail. Also mention that lacking this action, you will need to file a DOI complaint. Carriers don't want DOI complaints to be filed. Your giving them the motivation _and_ opportunity to correct a mistake or snap decision they may have made.
I'm still not understanding that "key" thing.
2007-11-08 12:24:18 · answer #2 · answered by Todd C 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What company. I could see this happening if it was Farmer's, Infinity, Progressive, Bristol West, or Allied. They have a lot of moron's working for them and as insurance companies go they are NOT good to deal with as the insured or claimant. You get what you pay for.
The others are pretty fair.
If the collision repair facility can show a "clean" impact to the oil pan then you have a case. Get photos and GO above the appraisers head and ask to have their supervisor come and look at the vehicle WITH you at the shop.
Squeaky wheel gets the grease. Don't give up. Be professional but keep pressing and if it was actually damaged as you stated you will get someone to listen and get it taken care of or they may total the vehicle but at lease you will get something out of it to go buy another vehicle.
2007-11-08 16:14:16 · answer #3 · answered by pkgfinder 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your keys are in the ignition, you likely wont have a battle to fight. They will win because someone obviously had easy access to your car. Unless you can prove the keys were stolen. However there may be prints on the keys they found have the police investigate see if they can catch the guy.
Its kind of like people who leave the keys in the car and car started tow arm it up and just leave them and dont watch them, then they come out and cars gone, insurance doesnt cover those either..... beware winter weathers fast approaching
2007-11-09 18:25:39 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good news for the consumer! All insurance companies are held to a higher authority. Every state has a Department of Insurance for complaints, concerns or disputes. If you feel you are not being treated fairly by your insurance company, the Department of Insurance will investigate the matter on your behalf and the insurance company has 30 days to respond to their inquiry. California Department of Insurance phone number is (800)927-HELP. Good luck to you!
2007-11-08 12:24:54 · answer #5 · answered by CA. Auto Insurance guy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe there's a way to sue for replacement, but don't accept any payment until it's settled.
2007-11-08 11:45:27 · answer #6 · answered by Bob H 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋