[Shotimes] insurance question

[Ron Nottingham]

One thing that was not mentioned...  who was at fault on the police report?
(if this is a no-fault state, forget what I'm going to say, I do not know
how the laws in no-fault states work)

First thing, if it was your fault, you have less amunition to work with.
Have very good, clear pictures showing the condition (hopefully very good
condition).  And receipts.  And get the company that holds the title
involved, they may be able to get the ins adjuster to swing your way a bit.

Now, if the accident wasn't your fault, and you are making a claim against
the at-fault's ins co, get a lawyer, and have everything Don mentioned.
They usually take the case based upon a percentage over and above what the
initial offering was.  When I had my T-Bird Turbocoupe (the at-fault party
did not have insurance, so I had to sue my ins co), I had a loan on it (it
was 3.5 years old when I bought it), and I was almost 2 years into a 4 year
note, so it was still upside down.  I still owed roughly $6k on the car, the
ins co adjuster would only go $4k.  I had pictures, receipts, the works,
still he would not budge.  So, I called up my lawyer...  Within three weeks,
I had a check for $10k in my hands (minus my attorney fees).  Paid the loan
off, and still had $4k left, used $2k as a down for a new car ('89 Z24) and
used the remainder for a vacation :-)

Even if none of this applies to you, contact a lawyer for a "free
consultation".  Best advice, as they know more about what is going on than
you will.

Ron N. - Dalton, GA
90 SHO

----- Original Message -----
From: "Donald Mallinson" <dmall@mwonline.net>
To: <shotimes-admin@autox.team.net>
Cc: <Shotimes@autox.team.net>
Sent: Thursday, December 05, 2002 10:34 PM
Subject: Re: [Shotimes] insurance question


> Nancy,
>
> With an insurance company, their first offer is usually
> flexible to some degree.  Just don't sign anything yet.
>
> Get some ammunition....NO not shotgun shells, but information!
>
> Get records of what you paid for the car, any work you did
> on it.  Pictures of it before it was wrecked.
>
> Then research what they are being advertised for, go to
> SHOclub.com to the classfieds, and pull out any ads that are
> on the high side of cars similar to yours.
>
> Then visit the two on-line price guides, kbb.com and edmunds
> .com.  Get pricing from them.  If it is more than the
> insurance company is offering, then use it, if less, then
> forget it.
>
> Then go in and talk to the adjuster or whoever is in charge
> and argue till you turn blue.  Keep it civil, but let them
> know that the car is worth MORE!
>
> Chances are they will pay you for the car, if they mentioned
> it to begin with.
>
> Might be a good idea to read your insurance policy (take an
> aspirin first!) and see if you can make heads or tails of it.
>
> Most times, you can get them to come up some, how much
> depends on how good a case you make.
>
> Oh, and don't tell them you named your car Satan!  ;)
>
> Don Mallinson
>
> V6SHOGirl@aol.com wrote:
>
> > i got into an accident a couple days ago and the estimate i recieved
from my
> > insurance company was that my cars repairs exceeded the value of the
car. The
> > damages were to the headlights, the hood, and the  Condenser (i thought
it
> > was the radiator cause i'm stupid), and maybe more.  I've had different
> > people tell me different things. i know there was one person on this
list who
> > helped me with an insurance questiong a long long time ago.  I just want
to
> > know what's going to happen now?  My brother thinks that the insurance
> > company is  going to send me a check for the value of the car.  My
mothers
> > boyfriend says that the insurance company isnt going to do anything. I
still
> > have $5000+ left on my loan, what's going to happen with that? Can i get
a
> > second opinion  from a body shop and try and fight it out with the
insurance
> > company? Sorry for the 20 million questions but i have NO idea waht's
going
> > on right now. Thanks in advance for any answers or suggestions :)
> >
> > Nancy
> > 1994 Red ATX named Satan
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