Who knows something about auto insurance total wreck valuation? (NOT my Audi)
Thread Starter
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 548
Likes: 0
Who knows something about auto insurance total wreck valuation? (NOT my Audi)
Anyone on this board either work for insurance or have good experience getting fair value for a claim?
Dad's car -- his "baby" -- was totalled because of a fire. Pristine '97 Riviera w/70K miles. Only owners were dad and his father-in-law. Both were meticulous.
Neither Dad nor I met adjuster. He had it towed into town and he inspected it there. I talked to the guy by phone and his first offer was WAY low. I gave him a few arguments on condition and miles and the follow-up was better, but still $1,000 below the cheapest one on AutoTrader. I asked him to e-mail his comparables and the valuation report and I'm reviewing.
Part of the problem seems to be that they're not giving credit for the condition of the car before the fire. Things like: they're saying that the interior is signficantly soiled, etc. Well... the firemen were ripping out seats (to get at the battery and dash) and where climbing inside with fire gear on.
Any particular suggestions?
Dad's car -- his "baby" -- was totalled because of a fire. Pristine '97 Riviera w/70K miles. Only owners were dad and his father-in-law. Both were meticulous.
Neither Dad nor I met adjuster. He had it towed into town and he inspected it there. I talked to the guy by phone and his first offer was WAY low. I gave him a few arguments on condition and miles and the follow-up was better, but still $1,000 below the cheapest one on AutoTrader. I asked him to e-mail his comparables and the valuation report and I'm reviewing.
Part of the problem seems to be that they're not giving credit for the condition of the car before the fire. Things like: they're saying that the interior is signficantly soiled, etc. Well... the firemen were ripping out seats (to get at the battery and dash) and where climbing inside with fire gear on.
Any particular suggestions?
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 599
Likes: 0
A little something ...
Ok, the insurance company should assume the car to be in decent condition unless they can prove otherwise. At the same time, you would have to show proof of why you think it should be worth more than book value. If it had new tires, new engine, fresh paint, any of those things, (and you have the recipts), that will raise the valuation. Also if you can find the same car with same equipment and similar miles/condition, you can than use that information to show to the ins. company and negotiate a reasonable settlement.
If dad feels/felt that the car was worth more than an average or normal example, like a show car custom or something, than there should have been a pre-agreed value placed on the vehicle. That would cost more per month, or put mileage restrictions or some such on the car, but you would be able to cover yourself in situations like this.
If dad feels/felt that the car was worth more than an average or normal example, like a show car custom or something, than there should have been a pre-agreed value placed on the vehicle. That would cost more per month, or put mileage restrictions or some such on the car, but you would be able to cover yourself in situations like this.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
HeartlessNomad12
Pacific Northwest Discussion
20
Feb 27, 2008 05:53 PM
pearlm30
Audi 100 / A6 (C4 Platform)
9
Jan 25, 2008 06:20 PM
skiS4fun
NY / NJ / CT Discussion
6
Jan 9, 2007 04:57 PM
