This is topic Totaled Vehicle claim in forum General Talk at Northern California Ford Owners  .


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Posted by macthizzle (Member # 3492) on :
 
One of my cars was hit and my uninsured motorist coverage decided that the car was a total loss. The claims department is paying me out $1480 less than the cars value. I have faxed them over other vehicles in my area along with CarFAx,Edmund's,Kbb and NADA. They have told me that they don't accept any of the third party valuation websites. What other options do I have? They closed my claim without my consent.
 
Posted by hidnn0s (Member # 13845) on :
 
You pay for insurance, your insurance should be going to bat FOR YOU
 
Posted by losbadgts (Member # 4394) on :
 
Thats fuck up. But insurance never lose. If the car is still in your possession start taking parts out before they pick up. Thats what i did to one of my cars cause i knew they wouldn't give me the full value.
 
Posted by macthizzle (Member # 3492) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by hidnn0s:
You pay for insurance, your insurance should be going to bat FOR YOU
It's my own insurance. I've read the policy and that isn't stated on it. I have also decided to keep the vehicle.
 
Posted by macthizzle (Member # 3492) on :
 
All of the receipts were provided to CCC, who appraise the vehicle.
According to their notes on the updated valuation (which I have attached), they allowed $13 for the two new tires ($158 purchase price) and $82 for the maintenance items ($604 purchase price).

There are many online vehicle valuation companies, but the most common are NADA.com, KBB.com and Edmunds.com. As I stated earlier, we cannot use these online sites as our primary vehicle valuation sources as they do not base their values on actual listings for vehicles that can be reviewed by the customer, and that is against DOI regulations/CA statute. I am making an exception here as the adjuster incorrectly used NADA without my approval; however since it worked in your favor I am standing by that value.


I gave them about $900 in receipts but only $100 was added to the vehicles value.

This is an email from the Claims supervisor.
 
Posted by BULLITTMAN (Member # 8468) on :
 
Who's your insurance company?
 
Posted by Blind (Member # 3052) on :
 
sucks, when my truck was totaled back in 2006 or so after I was rear ended on the freeway (I was stopped, ugh) I had the same run around from the other guys insurance, and since I didn't have comprehensive/collision on my coverage my insurance company didn't do anything or care.

from what I remember I was paid out about $1500 less than what I could replace the truck for based on other used car listings and kbb value.

I did get them to pay for a rental pickup for a month ($1400) while they were dicking around deciding to total it or not, and used a lawyer for a medical claim that covered me seeing a chiro for about a year (since my neck was pretty messed up from the accident). Replacing the truck was really the least of my worries. Since they did value is quite low though, I had my friends strip it before it was towed away and made a bit of change from selling those parts, lol.
 
Posted by macthizzle (Member # 3492) on :
 
Bristol West- sold by Farmers
 
Posted by Egocentric (Member # 9529) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by macthizzle:
Bristol West- sold by Farmers
Tires and Maint. all the other stuff suffer depreciation in value, they don't hold full.
 
Posted by 92_5.0 (Member # 7624) on :
 
All insurance companies are cheapskates and will try anything and everything to either not pay or pay the absolute minimum. Also, if I'm not mistaken it is against the law for them to close the claim without your signature/consent.
 
Posted by [SHO]TIME (Member # 8962) on :
 
if you opted to keep the car there going to give you less money they should have given you a figure for if you keep the car or you release it to them. recently my corvette was a total loss and there was a $4000 difference if i kept it or let them take it, but yeah some companies flat out suck!! I have state farm and they dont fuck around after my corvette crash i had my check and car was towed away within a week and this was during xmas and new years
 
Posted by macthizzle (Member # 3492) on :
 
My claim status on their website says closed. [Mad]
 
Posted by 92_5.0 (Member # 7624) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by macthizzle:
My claim status on their website says closed. [Mad]
did you sign anything electronically? Did you already accept their offer?
 
Posted by macthizzle (Member # 3492) on :
 
I didn't accept an offer because it has been a low ball offer. The adjuster said I can either accept their offer or pay for 3rd party appraisal company. My argument is about Carfax stating that my vehicle is worth $1480 more than retail value, I believe this should be honored. I only send emails between me and the adjuster and supervisor, no phone calls. I never authorized a payment.
 
Posted by fstryde3 (Member # 8436) on :
 
Stay on them, Insurance companies don't like giving up money but you have the right to say no to their offer. I was in a bad accident car a total loss about three years ago. It took a while but I got more then they originally offered me. Don't give up man it sucks going through it but that's why you pay for your policy.
 
Posted by Z06-FTMFW (Member # 3164) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by macthizzle:
All of the receipts were provided to CCC, who appraise the vehicle.
According to their notes on the updated valuation (which I have attached), they allowed $13 for the two new tires ($158 purchase price) and $82 for the maintenance items ($604 purchase price).

There are many online vehicle valuation companies, but the most common are NADA.com, KBB.com and Edmunds.com. As I stated earlier, we cannot use these online sites as our primary vehicle valuation sources as they do not base their values on actual listings for vehicles that can be reviewed by the customer, and that is against DOI regulations/CA statute. I am making an exception here as the adjuster incorrectly used NADA without my approval; however since it worked in your favor I am standing by that value.


I gave them about $900 in receipts but only $100 was added to the vehicles value.

This is an email from the Claims supervisor.
receipts and modifications doesn't matter unless you paid more to have all the equipment covered. Also have you cashed the check? Until you cash and sign off, the case isn't closed.
 
Posted by losbadgts (Member # 4394) on :
 
Also i forgot to mention this happen to my pops earlier this year with his truck. So what i did was send of trucks on craigslist to the adjuster and that help a bit not much but they gave my pops a bit more money
 
Posted by macthizzle (Member # 3492) on :
 
From me:

Thank you. May I also have a written statement from Bristol West that states that Car Fax, Edmonds and Kbb are not accepted by Bristol West for value comparison? I know that your value is based off of CCC. I am not saying that those third party valuation companies should be the primary source for my vehicles value but the Car Fax states that the vehicle is
$1480 more than retail value; Your company has given me the retail value which should be increased by the additional Car Fax value. Where can I find that information?

From him:
Let this serve as a written statement that Farmers Specialty Insurance Company, or any other Farmers owned company, does not use KBB, NADA, Edmunds, Car Fax or any other online consumer valuation sources as the primary valuation method in the state of California. We use CCC, which bases their value on actual vehicles in the local market that are for sale, or have been for sale, within the previous 90 days, in accordance with California state regulations (CA statute 2695.8)
 
Posted by 92_5.0 (Member # 7624) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by macthizzle:
From me:

Thank you. May I also have a written statement from Bristol West that states that Car Fax, Edmonds and Kbb are not accepted by Bristol West for value comparison? I know that your value is based off of CCC. I am not saying that those third party valuation companies should be the primary source for my vehicles value but the Car Fax states that the vehicle is
$1480 more than retail value; Your company has given me the retail value which should be increased by the additional Car Fax value. Where can I find that information?

From him:
Let this serve as a written statement that Farmers Specialty Insurance Company, or any other Farmers owned company, does not use KBB, NADA, Edmunds, Car Fax or any other online consumer valuation sources as the primary valuation method in the state of California. We use CCC, which bases their value on actual vehicles in the local market that are for sale, or have been for sale, within the previous 90 days, in accordance with California state regulations (CA statute 2695.8)
Typical response from an adjuster. He's hoping you will just give up and agree.
 
Posted by macthizzle (Member # 3492) on :
 
Me:
Ok, can be used for a secondary(comparison)? The written statement is not clear enough to prove my thought process wrong. The values from those websites (KBB,Edmonds,NADA,) are the same as CCC except when the vehicle history report is printed from Carfax it shows its worth $1480 more than retail value. I prefer a letter with the company's policies stamped and signed and it stating that cars history cannot be proven by CarFax or cannot show the increased value of the vehicle. If that can be done please let me know who can help me. Why does my claim remain closed?

Adjuster Supervisor-
This settlement offer will not change. Our original offer is valid and within the scope of CA regulations. Unless you proceed through the appraisal clause, there will be no change to this offer.

Me-
Ok, can I have the documentation I am asking for? There is no way I am going to sit here and believe you without anything in writing that specifically states that I can't prove my cars value by Carfax vehicle history. You have stated many times that you can't accept any of those websites as primary's but that is not what I am asking for.

Please give me the contact information of someone that can get me what I am asking for.
 
Posted by wilit (Member # 3367) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by macthizzle:

From him:
Let this serve as a written statement that Farmers Specialty Insurance Company, or any other Farmers owned company,
Well, there's your problem. Farmers is a notoriously bad company. Good luck with your fight. I haven't heard of many success stories with them.

[ 2015-06-02, 08:46 PM: Message edited by: wilit ]
 
Posted by BULLITTMAN (Member # 8468) on :
 
OP you should've ended your response with your sig quote lol
Seriously though good luck sounds like you're dealing with a real POS. Once you settle, drop that scum bag company.
 
Posted by KARATExxCHUCK (Member # 12851) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by [SHO]TIME:
if you opted to keep the car there going to give you less money they should have given you a figure for if you keep the car or you release it to them. recently my corvette was a total loss and there was a $4000 difference if i kept it or let them take it, but yeah some companies flat out suck!! I have state farm and they dont fuck around after my corvette crash i had my check and car was towed away within a week and this was during xmas and new years
State Farm is the Bees Knees!! They do not mess around. My brother received his check just a day and a half after being in a wreck.

Charles [patriot]
 
Posted by 87droptop50 (Member # 7185) on :
 
When my old bmw got totaled out, AAA gave me 1g more than blue book. I guess it's just your insurance company
 
Posted by 135.0 (Member # 4992) on :
 
AAA doesn't fuck around when it comes to payout, premium insurance premium service.
 
Posted by moeofit32 (Member # 10393) on :
 
Damn that sucks AAA has done wonders for me with a handful of weird situations all worked in my favor
 
Posted by 06ragtopgt_SOS (Member # 11327) on :
 
I also currently have bristol west, I'm sorry for the problems you're having. I will be switching insurance companies asap.
 
Posted by 50Reasons (Member # 6452) on :
 
When my car was totaled in sept of last year my insurance co gave me 2k over what I payed and then gave me extra 1.5k after I inquired about my wheels they cut me a check asap then gave me what ever rent a car I wanted for two weeks while I looked for another car ... I have gieco
 
Posted by Black 02 SS (Member # 5939) on :
 
Bristol West is a "non-standard" subcompany of Farmers. DO NOT expect stellar service from them. If you want better claims service pony up the extra premiums to pay for State Farm or AAA. I don't expect Bristol West to change their payout, especially since their method is in compliance with the CA DOI. You're asking for above and beyond what is required from them and I seriously doubt they will heed to your request. Be happy they're giving you NADA, which is typically higher than KBB (well, it used to be).
 




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