Fighting Insurance Co's

[Tilesetter Too]

Anyone out there have any luck getting an insurance to payoff a vehicle when they dont want to??? My buddy just had a Brinks truck rip down the side of his 3-week old Dakota 4dr. Crushed everything from the front fender down to the tailgate, including the 3-day old topper he just had installed. Front tire is sitting horizontal in the wheel well.
The insurance company is making noises like they want to fix it. Almost every piece of metal on the truck except for the passenger side doors and fender are crushed. Bed has been pushed back 8 inches from the cab.
Anybody got any tips for the upcoming battle??? My buddy wants a new truck not a rebuilt wreck, if he wanted that he could have saved himself thousands of dollars and just bought a wreck to begin with...
Shawn


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1998. 5 2500 4x4 quad LB, Rollnlock, 5spd.

 

[ftb87]

Tilesetter,

Tell your buddy to call the insurance commissioner, they'll lite a fire under them.

Frank

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01 White, Quad Cab,Short Box ,Sport SLT+,5 speed 3. 54 Ltd-slip,4X4,line-x ,Nerf bars,fiberglass tonneau cover

 

[RKohn]

Tilesetter,

First he should have a face to face with the adjuster, then his supervisor if need be. . They should opt total it since it's that new the salvage value of the drivetrain would make it a better deal for them.

Hey Mr. Moderator...

Get this thing outta here. Sure looks like other to me.

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Y2K Red Stealth Sport 2500 4X4 QC SLT+, 5-spd, 3. 54 LotsaSpinDiff, 265-75-16 LTX's, DC's dead cow/vinyl interior and 4-wheel AnythingButStop brakes, Roll-N-Lock bedcover, Smittybilt stainless nerf bars. Silencer ring?

 

[Missouri Mule]

Who is at fault? Seemed to be brinks truck.
Who ever did not get charged for the accident has the most leverage.
If he is dealing with brinks ins. have his dealer(ins) appraise the damage or indepent appraiser.
Actually his insurance company should be jumping in on his behalf(if he is dealing with brinks insurance company).
I think I have read/heard that $4000 + damage is a totaled vehicle for most insurance companies.
If they agree it is totaled and offer less than it is worth tell them to find one at that price and put it in your driveway(same condition before accident).
If brink is at fault go for the some money and take them to court as in civil suit.
Of course if your friend is at fault he will have to take what they give him.

 

[SteveAZ]

Face to face with adjuster (if possible), Supervisor, Insurance Commission, etc. DOn't settle until your satisfied, be the squeakiest wheel, be a pain in the a$$!!

Attorneys will be effective, but also cost you unless your filing suit for damages and fees.

 

[Randy J]

Actually the insurance company has the right to fix the vehicle, as long as it's economically feasible. Make sure they wrote a good estimate, and if it still doesn't total, ask the appraiser for the name of a salvage buyer. A buyer would pay top dollar for a truck, especially since the title would be clean (if it doesn't total). By taking the insurance check, and selling the vehicle, they'll probably come out ok.

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Randy Jones, San Antonio, TX, rdj@gvtc.com, 98 1/2 QC, 4X4, American Racing BAJA's, 285/75/16, Amsoil throughout, Superstar 3000 export radio, Firestik antenna with fender mount, Fire-ring cable, Mag-Hytec Deep transmission pan

2000 VW Jetta TDI, auto, 45 mpg average

 

[dresslered]

I've got the opposite problem! USAA totalled my car over a paint job. I now have to re-register my car as a salvage vehicle and it is perfect mechanically!!! Needless to say, I have a new insurance company.

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David Dressler
2001 Driftwood 3500 Quad Cab 4x4, 155 inch WB, HO Cummins ETH/DEE, SLT+, 3. 54 LSD, Camper Special, Trailer Tow, Heated Leather, Sliding Window, Jacob's E-Brake, Rhino Liner, VDO Vision (pyro, boost, engine + diff. temp. ), Autometer Ultra-Lite (electric fuel pressure, vacuum), Weather Guard Diamond Plate Saddle Box, Tork Lift camper tie-downs, Mag-Hytec, Mopar Tow Hooks, SmittyBilt Outland Sport Bumper Gaurd, 2-LO kit, AND functional Halo light!
Bigfoot 3000 10. 11 Slide-in Camper. "Do it in a Dually"