So about two months ago, I rolled my 2005 TC into a ditch (pictures below). Since that time the insurance company I'm with has given me the runaround. It took a whole month before I got an estimate in the mail. I would call the agent assigned to my claim 3-4 times a day to no luck. I only spoke with him once. Left voicemails every time I called and requested that he call me back. Again, nothing.

So, finally I get a letter in the mail with an estimate of $5,500. I was livid, and still am. I researched the pricing online at Kelley, NADA, and other online appraisers and got an average value of $11,316. Much different. I'm in the process of writing the agent back with all these figures, but figured I would come here and get some opinions if I should add anything to the letter. I am basically just asking how he came upon the presented price, and presenting him with pricing from the above mentioned places, dealership agents I've spoken with, and newspaper classifieds. Any other tips, inclusions?

 

Thats Crazy.. Unfortunatly ive been there twice My first tc had about 3k miles on it and I beleive they gave me 15-16k.. And my 05 RS1 with 60k miles that got totaled a few months ago I got 13,300... How many miles did yours have?

 

yeah your insurance company is f-ing you good

 

unless ure tc had about 700,000 miles on it then I dont know why they would offer you some BS like that.. What ins company do you have?

 

You're on the right track, first off get quotes from a few local dealerships for what it would cost to buy another tC with similar miles/features to your own.

If they're still being jerks, mediation, arbitration, court etc like this article says:

http://www.insure.com/articles/carin...mediation.html

 

think I just puked a little looking at that.

questions......is the car paid off in full.....do you have gap insurance.......do you have replacement insurance........were there any other cars involved.......where you hurt.........

 

80,000

Omni. They're a division of Hartford.

It is paid off. I'm not sure if I have gap or replacement insurance. My folks handle all that. There were no other cars involved, it was just me on a slick road using my cellphone like an idiot. And, no I wasn't hurt at all. I had a little scratch on my thumb, but that's it. I'm lucky to be alive.

And, thanks kileil. I've never even heard of that. I'll bring that up if worst comes to worst.

 

I dont think gap ins. would matter in his case. I believe its just if you owe 20k or more on the car. and yes I know how you feel about lucky to be alive... Im on my 3rd tc all because the first two saved my life...

 

I thinks your insurance company is screwing you big time!

plus I'm sad to see an IIP go down like that!

 

since the car is paid off gap won't mean anything. are you sure the number you're getting is for the value of car in perfect condition? sounds like they gave you the value of the car as it sits now if you were to buy back. people do request that information, so maybe check and make sure that is not what is going on. if they really gave you a 5k quote than do as you did search out kbb and local dealer prices on cars with similar miles.

 

http://www.kbb.com/KBB/UsedCars/Pric...uizConditions=
here is an estimate of an 05 tc with 80,000 miles on it in fair condition...it's around 8k. since ur car is paid off, and it's your fault, they're probably not gonna give you any better than what they told you already, i know it sounds crappy but it could be a reality...i'm not sure though because i don't know much about ins issues, but that's what it looks like to me

 

yeah they will lowball you as they are only liable to pay the low amount based on milage and currant condition.Get quotes of what it is gonna cost to purchse a like model and milage car in a 500mile radius and go in with that price and see if they will meet you half way.

Hope this is a lesson learned in life....get off the phone and remember you are operating a 3000lb machine that can kill people......we have all done it.I flipped my Camero right in front of a cop while doing 80 around a corner.Nearly killed myself and my friend in the car was very badly hurt and in the hospital for a long time.

My own insurance company sued me for the extra cost of his medical bills and took my home,car,and basically everythying I owned and auctioned them off to pay the bill.to this day I have never been able to get a loan for a new home.......17 years later.....sucks.

 

Most insurance companies use the NADA value. And if I were writing your estimate, I would be giving you the exact amount because there is no way to tell what damage was there before the crash.
I doubt that $5500 is for the salvage value - no salvage company will quote that for a roll-over.

What you need to do is call your claims rep and if you get his voice mail hit '0' and get an available rep. explain what is going on and ask to speak to your rep's manager.
If that doesn't work, call your agent.
Trust me when I say if you go through enough channels you will get the right amount and you will get it fast. All insurance companies are hurting and are understaffed, so he may not be ducking you intentionally (though I'd have never done anything like this).

Don't give up, but you need to take control of the situation. Call now.

 

I don't know if you're aware of the Orange book? NADA.

My insurance company (American Family) bases claims with NADA.


I got into accident with '00 Mitsubishi Galant with 113,XXX miles. Hood got smashed in, windshield got smashed, both airbags deployed.

Guess what???

I paid 7,500 to buy this car in cash about month earlier. They told me $5,200 and with my deductible; $4,700! But they were kind enough to pay for my sales tax for the replacement.


If you have loan, I hope you have GAP insurance?

 

As mentioned, take the NADA numbers and keep going through channels and try to get it resolved.

I learned to be a bit more picky with my insurance companies. I hit something in the road recently and did $2000 damage to the front end of the car. I got to pick the shop, the quote was faxed to them, they reviewed it the same day and I had a check in the mail the next day. No refurbished parts (which a lot of companies LOVE to do these days).. all new parts straight from Toyota. They didnt question the 1 hour labor quoted to reinstall an aftermarket grill (took me 20 minutes, but they quoted an hour to replace it ) and I get a lifetime warranty on the work. So far, I am pretty happy with Ameriprise/IDS .

Fight to get what it is worth, then find another insurance company, if the fair value is indeed higher than what they quoted you.

 

again, he does't need GAP ins because it was paid off