Re: Insurance help...thanks

["Alan W. Presley" <awpresley@earthlink.net>]

Shannon and all else interested,

I don't know where you live, therefore this may or may not apply, but in
Texas, if the company accepted blame, that's that. End of story. Case
Closed. They are at fault. You win. Well at least who is at fault.  The
car looses either way.

The insurance company does not assign guilt or innocense, just asseses
damage to the vehicle vs. vehicles value. They should not use this to
determine amount of award.

Now the problem is the insurance adjuster. He is out to save the
insurance company money, therefore he will try to get out of paying the
company's money. He will either total it, probably, or devalue it. By
this I mean, since it probably doesn't show up on the Blue Book, it has
NO value.  You can fight this.  For your '73 Fast, tell him it was an
investment in a last year, sports model. (this is true) After you get
his report, see if you agree with it.  If he awards you a lot of $ for
totaling it and you weren't to attached to it, cool, take the $ and go
on with your life. If you want the car, you will have to get a buy back.
Basically, you take the salvage rights fee off the award, around
$300-400 depending on local rules.

Now before you agree or sign anything, look at the $ award vs. the $ to
repair what is damaged (did you get a quote from local body shops?) And
compare this to sentimental value to this particular car and purchasing
another.  

If you do not agree with the value that he places on it, you have the
right (in Texas remember) to get an independant licensed appraiser to
state the value of your auto. ( I have a VW expert here in Texas, if you
need his number) You can present this to the insurance co to raise the
value.  The cost of an appraiser is over $100, this obviously is an
option if the insurance only wants to give you $300-400 for your car and
you think it is really worth $2000-3000, not if you want to get just a
little more.

Good Luck,
Big AL
awpresley@earthlink.net

******************************************************************


Shannon Darosett wrote:
> 
> I appreciate everyone's help with the insurance issue.  I have the police
> report now, and there are some things that the insurance company are going
> to use against me, I'm 99% positive.  Although the guy backed into me as I
> was pulling into the lot, the two witnesses said I was "flying down the
> lot."  Well, considering that I had first made a left from a complete stop,
> then immediatly a right, and still hadn't recovered from the right turn, I
> seriously DOUBT I was flying.  Oh, did I mention that the two witnesses were
> the other guy's co-workers?  Well, he already lied to his insurance co.
> once, and maybe they'll be honorable...am I ranting?  Yes I am...I just know
> I'm going to court.  :(
> 
> Well, the insurance adjustor will be here in 11 hours...if anyone has any
> last minute advice, I'm listening!
> 
> Thanks, Shannon
> '70 fastback (R.I.P. death by rust)
> '73 fastback (wounded)