insurance help.

[DIESELWRKS]

okay if trouble comes in 3 I'm in for it. I have a thread already on my 2nd gen and the problems with a possible new reman engine. now my wifes car had damage from a rock or piece of road debris and smashed the thin honda oil filter drove the car didn't know and engine stopped. this is not a new car but my insurance said they would cover it under collision due to road debri. question anyone ever been in this spot. the cars value is more than the engine so they wont total the car but pending if the entire bottom and top end of motor is toast due to lack of the 5 quarts of oil gone would a insurance company repair only what is broke or more likely to put a reman engine in it. seems a reman would save on money from someone rebuilding one. its only been 2 days I do have good insurance from USAA a military insurance company. anythings to look out for any feed back would be great. car gets looked at by adjusters next week they told the dealership that it is at to not touch it untill they arrive. so a adjuster is not a mechanic or is going to bring tools and equipment. they would have to go by what the shop would tell them the problem is and what is needed to fix it. so as of now my CTD is replaced by a small compact rice burner rental and my wife just got another same care differant color rice burner rental.



2002 HO 6-SPD LB 4X4 QC HTT 62/14 SB-DD3600 TST PM3/*REVO-BETA*SMARTY MACH 4'S, RINGED AND STUDS, AFE/2 " FTE 6" STACK D/PRICOL GAUGES, FASS 150, VULCAN 1/2 DRAW-STRAW, 3/8 FUEL LINE, DSS-BOX DT PRO-FAB TRAC BAR, CONV-T STYLE STEERING,BORGENSON BOX AND SHAFT,DUNKS TRACTION BARS, AIR BAGS,17'' KMC BLACK HOSS, 37" TOYO MT'S 6" RCD LONG ARM LIFT. :-laf... THANKS RIP Source Automotive

 

[JApol]

I have USAA also. Can the damage be covered under comprehensive since it was not the fault of you or another person?

USN 1997-present

 

[TBartlett1]

If it stopped from lack of oil the repair would far exceed the cost of a used replacement engine.

I had it happen with a Ford escort that lost coolant & overheated, cylinders were toasted

It's much cheaper to replace with a used engine then repair.

Go to Car-Part.com it connects you with all salvage yards. I've used it a couple times.



tim

 

[HBarlow]

I've been insured by USAA for 33 years and have also been an insurance claims adjuster myself. I have a fair idea of how they operate. USAA is an outstanding company but very conservative and conscious of being fair not only to the insured claimant but all members.

An insurance company considers the principle of "betterment" in settling claims. They will not usually pay a claim that will put you in a better position than you were when the loss occurred. In other words, if the insured car is several years old and has quite a few miles on the odometer the insurance company will probably pay for engine repair minus deductible or pay for the price of purchase and installation of a used engine with similar mileage minus deductible.

If the car is a 2004 with 60k to 80k miles on it and the engine is trashed, not rebuildable, you are likely to get a salvage engine minus deductible. It would not be fair to me or every other USAA member if you get a new or factory remanufactured engine as settlement.

You can probably opt to take the USAA check and junk the car or add to the amount of the check and buy a new reman engine but I would not expect USAA to pay for the entire cost.

 

[DIESELWRKS]

the vehicle is a 2006 with 50k miles on it. I dont expect a new one. wishful thinking but yeah it wouldn't be right. I know I will pay my deduc on it. so pending what is wrong I know they will take the more cost effective route. I love USAA have had them since I was in the Marines. always been great I just hope this doesn't effect my policy next renewal. I have never had a a accident or claim for my wife or I. so we will see and keep you all posted. thanks for the info

 

[JLEONARD]

My son has replaced many engines at his shop many were insurance claims for one reason or another (usually from Jiffy lube's parking lot).

He has a couple of salvage yards he trusts. They find a used engine from the same year with similar mileage and it usually works out fine.

Hope this helps.

 

[DIESELWRKS]

I have USAA also. Can the damage be covered under comprehensive since it was not the fault of you or another person?

USN 1997-present

didn't see this they told me under collision only is it covered. 500$ is better than 3-4k for a repair.

 

[24V-DSL]

From your description it appears it was a "collision" with rock/whatever, so that seems appropriate. Fault has nothing to do with this situation as you've described. Not your "fault" if someone backs into your car in a parking lot and takes off, but it is handled under the collision peril. You can back into a telephone pole which is your fault, and that is also a "collision" loss. Comprehensive covers fire, vandalism, theft, etc. Animal collision... . hit a deer, was always considered a comprehensive claim back in the day, but not sure if companies still treat it this way. Hope they treat you well.

 

[JApol]

I thought maybe it would be covered under that since it was no ones "fault". Its the other persons fault for backing into you and its your fault for backing into the telephone pole. I figured it would be covered under storm damage like hail.

 

[HBarlow]

This incident as reported by the OP occurred with the car moving and damage resulted from collision with a foreign object. It is covered under collision minus deductible. It is no different than collision with a parked car or fixed object like a building.

 

[JApol]

thanks for the insurance lesson. I didn't know that.

 

[DIESELWRKS]

This incident as reported by the OP occurred with the car moving and damage resulted from collision with a foreign object. It is covered under collision minus deductible. It is no different than collision with a parked car or fixed object like a building.

so the adjuster or whoever I spoke to told me this. since the car's engine mileage is so low. pending if they are able to find a replacement motor (due to the damage the bottom end is toast and the OH-cam I guess has visual damage with the rest of the valve train). so a reman would be cheaper for them. if they cannot find one close to same miles they may look at options of going to a higher mileage motor. so what does this do to me in the long run. vehicle still has factory warranty that was purchased when I bought it. also if they put a motor that has lets say 70k and I have 50k what does that do to the odometer. and how would that look on a car fax. I'm just happy that this is covered I love my insurance company. I plan on well did plan on keeping this car for a long time. intrested to see how this would or would not effect value? I asked if they had pictures of the motor kinda wanted to see the carnage. they said they rarely take pic's of motors unless they think something of foul play. body damage they would take them but on the motor basically find out the problem with tools instruments and what a shop says and then agree or disagree with things on time/ labor etc. I guess glad I'm not in the middle just need to pay my 500$ when ready.

 

[fest3er]

... if they put a motor that has lets say 70k and I have 50k ...

Talk to your repairman, if he's honest, about the cost:benefit ratio of rebuilding the replacement engine before installing it. (Note: 'rebuild', not 'remanufacture', implying a significant difference between the two methods. ) He might say 20K miles usually isn't enough to worry about.

 

[HBarlow]

If you are courteous and reasonable, and your posts on this subject indicate to me you are, your insurance adjuster, repair shop, and you should be able to discuss and negotiate this settlement to some degree. If your car is very clean, obviously well-maintained, and you have good service records indicating the way you care for it, you will have a little more bargaining power.

From the emotionless and business point of view of the adjuster and insurance company, it is a used car and you or your wife caused the damage. They will possible feel that a salvage yard engine that runs well when installed restores you to where you were the day the damage occurred. The settlement may be based on the regional average price of a salvage yard engine with 50k miles. A limited supply of available engines could make it difficult or impossible to find an engine with exactly the same miles.

If you're not too demanding and your adjuster does not have an attitude you may be able to talk him or her into looking harder, widening the search area, or waiting a while for the right engine. It also might help you get what you want if you offer to pay the difference for a very low mileage engine or provide transportation if the engine is located at a distant salvage yard.

Some insurance adjusters love being Santa Claus and giving away the insurance company's money. Others are more practical and frugal. Pleasant and reasoned discussion should help you obtain a satisfactory solution.

 

[DIESELWRKS]

Pleasant and resoned discussion should help you obtain a satisfactory solution.





yes this will always be the direction. after all I'm the one that is on the blessed side for what ever they fix for me. my deduct $ is only a chip compared to what they need to do. So I really think that it would be stupid of me to do anything but listen ask and be pollite. does a salvage engine come up as anything negative on a car fax? well I guess I will wonder of that after I know exactly what they do I will find out for sure by mid next week.

 

[HBarlow]

Pleasant and resoned discussion should help you obtain a satisfactory solution.


yes this will always be the direction. after all I'm the one that is on the blessed side for what ever they fix for me. my deduct $ is only a chip compared to what they need to do. So I really think that it would be stupid of me to do anything but listen ask and be pollite. does a salvage engine come up as anything negative on a car fax? well I guess I will wonder of that after I know exactly what they do I will find out for sure by mid next week.

I don't know if a fax report will show an engine replacement. It might since it will be handled through an insurance claim and settlement.

If you keep and drive the car a few years and lots of miles it shouldn't make much difference even if it does show on a report.

 

[DIESELWRKS]

okay so the adjuster after looking at it. had to ask the mechanic where the oil filter was located. didn't start the vehicle looked at the damaged oil filter had to ask how much oil the vehicle holds how much was lost. if the vehicle was moving when this happened?#@$%! I got the impression he did not read my claim report on what happened. so the verdict now is I give the shop the okay to due diagnostic work, tear down etc. to find out the noise. if its oil loss related its covered. if its normal wear abuse etc. the repair is on me. so untill this happens to show the exact problem I cannot use rental services other wise its on my tab until. shop is booked for about a week so could be 7-10 days until i get answer. frustrating. but I have to understand its no so black and white with insurance. so hope for the best