Crunch Goes The Saturn...

[Coss]

Your comment about "they'll shop for the lowest price on parts" they can say that, but they can't do it and expect to have you accept it.
You can take your car to any repair shop of your choice and specify NOS if OEM isn't available. Once you have that estimate for them, you can push for a settlement based on that price to repair rather then going by KBB pricing. If they give you a hard time, call your state insurance commissioners office and they will be glad to help. Also, your insurance company should be willing to go to bat for you to make sure your get a fair deal.

 

[Rob Croson]

Also, your insurance company should be willing to go to bat for you to make sure your get a fair deal.

The first thing I did, before calling the other guys' insurance company, was call my insurance company. They said they could deal with it for me, but they would have to charge me the deductible, then refund it to me if they ever recovered it from the other company.

As far as shopping around, I could. They were very clear that i have the right to use my repair shop of choice. But the car is non-driveable. That means I have to get it towed around from place to place to get estimates. (Or risk driving it with smashed in tail lights.) I don't deal with this kind of thing very often, so I wouldn't even know where to take it. And I would have to take time off of work to deal with it. And pay for the rental for that time... It's a hassle, and a potentially expensive process, for a car who's value is ~$3,000. Which, of course, the insurance company knows.

I haven't heard from the insurance company yet. I'm not going to get too cheesed off about it until they get back to me with their decision.

 

[Coss]

The first thing I did, before calling the other guys' insurance company, was call my insurance company. They said they could deal with it for me, but they would have to charge me the deductible, then refund it to me if they ever recovered it from the other company.

As far as shopping around, I could. They were very clear that i have the right to use my repair shop of choice. But the car is non-driveable. That means I have to get it towed around from place to place to get estimates. (Or risk driving it with smashed in tail lights.) I don't deal with this kind of thing very often, so I wouldn't even know where to take it. And I would have to take time off of work to deal with it. And pay for the rental for that time... It's a hassle, and a potentially expensive process, for a car who's value is ~$3,000. Which, of course, the insurance company knows.

I haven't heard from the insurance company yet. I'm not going to get too cheesed off about it until they get back to me with their decision.

How much is your deductible?
As for driving it around to get estimates; pictures and emails. As for finding a shop in your area, just look up reviews on collision repair for your area.
Insurance companies always drag their feet when they have to pay out, then they'll always try to low-ball numbers to settle as quickly and as cheaply as possible; they are in the business for making money, not spending it. What you have to decide more than anything is, what is the car worth to you?

 

[JEBar]

Insurance companies always drag their feet when they have to pay out, then they'll always try to low-ball numbers to settle as quickly and as cheaply as possible; they are in the business for making money, not spending it.

exactly .... it can't be over stated, they are in business to make money .... if they don't, they don't stay in business .... consequently, they are going to charge the most they can for the least coverage and pay out the least possible amount when a claim comes

 

[Critter]

When my daugter totaled my Saturn Sl1, on black ice, the insurance company gave me a really difficult time. Having a replacement policy, They finally found one in Chattanooga. So I told them to take me there and I will get it. I wound up with a much larger check than what was first offered.

 

[Kuda]

exactly .... it can't be over stated, they are in business to make money .... if they don't, they don't stay in business .... consequently, they are going to charge the most they can for the least coverage and pay out the least possible amount when a claim comes

God Bless 'Gap Insurance'.....

 

[Ian442]

I made the mistake of skipping that once ... Gap Insurance. Van got totaled and I was on the hook for the difference. BAD IDEA get the Gap Insurance.

 

[Coss]

**Off Topic***
There is a Liberty Mutual commercial on that might be a slam against any 3-wheel vehicle.
Commercial opens with a woman leaning against a railing, statue of Liberty behind her, and she talking about "full replacement" on your policy.
Just about at the end she says
" ..... most places will only pay for 3/4's of a car; maybe Liberty Mutual doesn't want you driving around on 3 wheels ................... Smart"

Anyone here have Liberty Mutual? Have you talked to them about insuring an Elio?

 

[Ekh]

you are the injured party and no insurance company wants to go to court .... you can press to get a settlement that you feel is equitable .... are you sure you haven't suffered any injuries or losses that need to be brought to their attention

Like that delayed-onset pain in your neck, that keeps you from turning it freely? Or the flashing lights you've been seeing (even in the dark) for the past few days?

 

[JEBar]

Like that delayed-onset pain in your neck, that keeps you from turning it freely? Or the flashing lights you've been seeing (even in the dark) for the past few days?

from time to time things like that do happen