Need some serious in sight on this situation

[blake110491]

Alright my car was hit by the police officer next door and the damage came out to be $1700.Had to file a claim through the city of Plano,Tx and had to be reviewed.Four weeks later i finally get a response back saying that my car is valued at $1100.Confused on that amount considering thats way below blue book and a fourth the amount I've put into the car.here's what was said to me

" I am accepting your documents as proof of ownership. Based on my review of the damage estimate and an evaluation of your vehicle’s value it would be considered a total loss. Your car’s value is approximately $1,100. That is the offer we are making to settle your claim. I am attaching a Release for Property Damage claim in that amount. If you agree, please print the form, have it signed before a Notary Public and return the original to me. Upon receipt I will issue your payment.

To be clear, you will not be entitled to any rental and on execution of the Release in exchange for the payment, your claim is closed. Call me if you have any questions."

Not sure how to go about this situation considering they shorted me $600 and some how expect my car to be fixed.Note that i was not present in the car during the time of the accident and getting screwed over for it.I'm not going to agree to something that shouldn't be.Any idea's on what to do, thanks.

[orion::S14]

That's how insurance works.

They lowball you, and ask you to sign off on it so you can;t come back later and ask for more...or claim your back hurts, loss of wages, whatever.

You now have to show them that it will cost $1700 to fix, and that's the route you're going to persue.

They (the city) damaged your property, and it's their job to make you whole (via insurance).

Do not sign anything.

- Brian

[dreadedfist]

Insurance always tries to fuck you over, never sign anything and never accept their lowballs. You can't fault them, they are a business that exists to turn a profit, but it's still scummy.

[CrazyIvan]

Go to autotrader.com , craigslist.com and search for about 6 to 10 adds for the same year/make/model/mileage/options of your car.

Average the price of em and that should be the real market value of your car, not what the insurance or "kbb" says it is.

Tell em to buy the same vehicle today it'll cost you that "average amount", you will settle for that value or the repair of your vehicle.

[msanchez]

Since theyre considering it a total loss, the insurance is using a system that finds 3-5 cars within a reasonable distance from where you live that are comparable to yours. takes the average price of those cars, and then tries to give you that amount. It is NOT based on kelley blue book. If you want to fight it, go on autotrader, cartrader,or some other reputable party, and find 3 cars that are similar to your. If the average price is above what they offered you, you have grounds to fight it..
Since they consider it a total loss, it doesnt actually matter what it costs to fix the car, as figure it is cheaper to just pay you the "value" of the car. You need to find out how much your car is ACTUALLY worth, and use that number as a reference point.
Hope that helps.

EDIT. ^ homeboy beat me to it.

[blake110491]

Alright i'll start scrolling through adds with all the information and see if i can get anywhere.Just annoyed that his car gets fixed next day and i'm stuck with a damaged car for a month coming now.I really appreciate the help from everyone, if there's anything else i should do please let me know.I'm getting my money from this damn city

[eddieflo]

stick to your guns man. dont sign shit. in texas, you have the right for a 2nd opinion on the estimate for repair. since you already did that, (your $1700 estimate) they cant lowball you. just get your estimate from that shop printed.

[blake110491]

I've already sent the estimate to Howard Krigsman which is the claims manager for the city of plano with every kind of proof that i own the car too. Went to service king for the estimate and i feel there the most professional out of any other body work company.I have documentation of everything.

[eddieflo]

My bad, my brain totally skipped the total loss part. That changes things a bit. I hope they don't take your car when they pay you out.

[blake110491]

I'd have a lawyer if it came to that point in time.While i'm on here does anyone need a spare Ka24de motor lol kinda need it sold and if anyone has a iat sensor and knock sensor that would help out so much.Motor is kinda flippin out at times

[AGNT84]

damn dude that sux...but dont let them punk you. you know you have grounds to fight it and you should. stick it to them and get what you deserve. good luck dude hopefully all goes well

[mxexux]

Sorry if I'm mistaken, but it sounds like the whole thing is getting handled by you and the city (or insurance company the city is using). If you have your own insurance, you should get them involved because they can fight for you in these situations. I agreee with what's been said about getting the value of your car correct. Another idea for you would be to get a professional appraisal done on your car. I don't think they cost that much and it sounds like it would be worth it. Good luck and let us know...

P.S. any pics of the damage?

[2d-ink]

I agree with MXEXUX, get your insruance company to pay you out and then have your insurance company go after the city for the rest.. I've been in 3 accidents in which non was my fault and when the other party offer to pay out its always 300-700 lower then what my insurance company would pay me. so I just go through my insurance company and have them go after the other.

[airhead]

dont sign shit!
go to three auto body shops try to go to the most expensive shop around your city.
get at least three estimates from the body shop.
try to get a estimate from a auto repair shop (if anything mechanical was broken ect..)
also kelly blue book value/autotrader/craigslist print outs..
also any reciepts of the parts/labor you have put in to the car this will help a lot!

tell the insurance you refuse to take their lowball and that you want your car fixed because all the money you put in to it.

if they dont want to pay for what your asking for take them to court, show the judge the estimates and tell the judge why you refuse to take their lowball offer and im pretty sure you will win man.

[blake110491]

I appreciate all the feedback from everyone, i'll update the status of my situation tomorrow after i talk to the city claims adjuster. I emailed new/used ads of the parts installed to show what they go for on the market and the damaged received really isn't that bad just side scarped my car so there's a small crease starting from the passenger door down to the rear fender.Only complications i have at the moment is i bottom out on the rear fender that received damage.If i hear word there not going to see my things my way i will contact my insurance then bring it to court if the issue could not be resolved

[WanganRunner]

If the amount is way below KBB, then KBB alone should be enough evidence to get the amount up.

Definitely sign nothing. Still check out autotrader ads, etc.

[Brentbohn]

wonder if graffiti on 5 of their cop cars would = the 600 dollar deficit in the offer? hehhe just kidding..

Second insight/// If all of us on zilvia put up craigslist adds in all of our respective states for high values could we influence the kbb and edmonds car values... look at the toyota supra last model,, 22k and up is only that way cause enthusiast would pay that much.. maybe we can send the s14's into space with their prices which are currently around 5-6k if we put adds out there for 11-12k for stock.. just a thought,,,, might work due to the low amount of them on the roads these days.... dont respond if your a broke ass drifter trying to keep the values low so you can smash more of them.... this is for those of us that want to keep the civic owners from buying our pride:w00t:

[CaptainVlad]

Perhaps you should learn how to use something called the period, and the comma...

[blake110491]

Problem finally resolved, but apparently having aftermarket parts on your car doesn't add value.Where do they get these dumb ass answers from?Full payment of $1774.22 deposited into my bank tomorrow.Any recommendations on what to upgrade now.Pretty much stock except for intake,exhaust,LSD...