Insurance woes after hit and run

[mrtoni]

So i posted a thread in blazer forum about a hit and run on my 72 k5. I found the offender and filed a claim. His insurance balked as he never contacted them. Lo and behold a week later he confesses and Allstate says they accept liability.
Their adjusted shows up, nice kid. Says fixable, needs a bumper. Well, his little Cruze pushed me 20 feet, displaced axel, rear quarter gone, tailgate etc. lots o damage.
I had preprinted lots of comp sales of eBay. Not the 50-60k ones but real comps that were from about 8000-25000 for a nonrusty 1972 blazer.

I get her report today and they valued it at 8200 so if repairs run 65% of that it's totaled. I picked my shop but they're expensive silo I say no chance it'll be less than $5000. She said I cannot challenge the value, it's a third party computer program that looks at dealer sales in last 6 months within 150 miles.
I have only liability so my insurance isn't involved. Ideas?

[67ChevyRedneck]

I'm not sure what you can do other than have an independent appraisal or two done and get it properly insured from here on out. I don't believe you HAVE to accept their evaluation either. However, once you cash that check, that's it.

Liability is fine for a $1,500 beater, not a 10K+ Classic Blazer.

[mrtoni]

Copy that. Newly divorced and paying 2100 in child support so had to cut costs i.e. Insurance on 3rd car.

[Blue GMC]

I would question the fact that they stated they used dealer sales history from the last 6 months. Last time I saw one of these vehicles on a major dealer lot was a long time ago and that truck was inside on the floor with a not for sale sign on it.

[ghalperin]

Did the Hit and Run driver go to jail?

I'd question the valuation. Hagarty has it valued much higher.

[mrtoni]

Thank you. My body guy says we will know more after frame is measured. He also said the estimator is wrong that 65% damage doesn't apply to old cars and it would be 100% to total it so $8300. If they want to total it I can argue comp sales, he said to document the real value. I will learn more tomorrow

[special-K]

Their evaluation process is failed for non-late model vehicles. 90% of the "comparable" Blazers such as yours are sold by individuals, not dealers. AND, how many do you find in a 150 mile radius... in same condition considering 45 years of all the variables? You have no contract with that insurance company and you are the victim here. Fight them. They have to fix it to the condition it was in.

They know your insurance company doesn't care what happens here. They have no stake in it, so no threat of them taking it to court to fight for you. BUT... you can threaten to hire your own lawyer and sue. Tell them you have a fellow old car buddy who is a lawyer that will gladly fight this "pro bono". Don't threaten right away. Only if it looks like they aren't budging. Insurance companies are no different than banks. They are investment companies and all about money, only. The service they provide is just a means to gain capital. Insurance is the game they play and they know it inside and out. It's all about money and they are counting on a victim not willing to hire their own lawyer to fight for them when that will cancel out a chunk of what they are awarded for repairs. But not if the lawyer is your friend willing to work for FREE. That changes everything

[96blazr]

Originally Posted by ghalperin

Did the Hit and Run driver go to jail?

I'd question the valuation. Hagarty has it valued much higher.

Doesn't matter what Hagerty shows as it's valuation, cause he's not insured with Hagerty. If he was insured this thread wouldn't even exist.

Listen, I see these threads all the time on this board and I just shake my head.

If you don't have a place to store and lock up your ride then follow these SIMPLE rules to try to avoid this type of thing happening.
1. If you can only afford liability, then do not park it on the street.
2. If you can afford 100% coverage (not classic), then park it anywhere.

Now, before all the Sh*t hits the fan, I understand that not everyone can park "off street", but if this is your daily driver, then you should be able to afford full coverage. If you can't afford full coverage on a Antique truck that you're using as a daily driver then maybe you need to re-evaluate your transportation situation. jus' sayin'.

[a1vintage69]

Go on craigslist Reno and it also brings up the Sacramento area and find all the 69-72 k5 blazers for sell and copy each ad. Then present them to the insurance company as proof of the real value. This is market value. Just do it ! It will work.
Just noticed you already did ebay comps. I hope All State steps up for you!

[Warrens69GMC]

Talk to a Lawyer.

[demian5]

Originally Posted by Warrens69GMC

Talk to a Lawyer.

Agree - ****boxes go for $15k out west.

[Orange Crate]

Similar situation happened to my brother. Not hit and run but way under value after he was hit. The offender's insurance only valued it (71 short bed big block 2wd) at about half of what we would pay. It was "totaled" so he bought it back and then parted it out and by doing that he ended up with the real value in dollars but was out of a sweet little truck. Moral here is insure at an agreed value not just liability,but I do understand when other circumstances are demanding money also.

[Coley]

Mrtoni...I hope this works out for you.

That said...what is with this general lack of insurance or minimum insurance stuff going on?

Guys......ante up here.....so you don't get caught with your pants down on accident day.

all good
Coley

[leddzepp]

Originally Posted by mrtoni

Copy that. Newly divorced and paying 2100 in child support so had to cut costs i.e. Insurance on 3rd car.

Sorry to hear that. At least you have your priorities straight. There's more to life than an old truck.

[mrtoni]

Yep, preparing to get screwed. Adjuster report says comp sales are 7700 in Iowa and 7900 Missouri. Her estimate for repairs is 2400. If it hits about 4500 which it will it will be a total loss. They will pay 8200 for total loss minus salvage price est $200 by her and I can retain it.
She said in litigation there 3rd party neutral computer estimate cannot be challenged i.e. Value is un arguable.

[mrtoni]

Or I can have estimate written for just below total threshold. I can then get about 5000 for repairs and not have a salvage title. Waiting to hear from my agent for advice.

[67ChevyRedneck]

$2400??? I just paid 4K for hail damage on my 2015 Z71 and $3200 for a deer hit a few years ago that just caught the back of the cab and the bedside (2000 Silverado.)

There's possibly frame/suspension damage, bumper, bedside, and a lot of labor hours.

Given you were just in Primer, I think I would be OK with the 5K, that should get you back to where it is now?

Those values are crap. You can't find anything less than garbage for under 8-10K here anymore. One as clean as yours would bring 12-15K in this area.

[B. W.]

Originally Posted by Warrens69GMC

Talk to a Lawyer.

X3 - My son hit a truck at nite that was stopped in the middle of the road with its lights off, the driver was sitting on the tailgate burnin a fat one ... in a snow storm! (unbelievable, right?!)

My son was not ticketed, other driver cited for all above. His insurance co refused to pay. Hired an attorney, after discusions, still would not pay. Set a court date, they paid.

Don't ask me what I think about insurance people, you will not get a positive response.

Best of luck to you

[Blue GMC]

Originally Posted by mrtoni

Yep, preparing to get screwed. Adjuster report says comp sales are 7700 in Iowa and 7900 Missouri. Her estimate for repairs is 2400. If it hits about 4500 which it will it will be a total loss. They will pay 8200 for total loss minus salvage price est $200 by her and I can retain it.
She said in litigation there 3rd party neutral computer estimate cannot be challenged i.e. Value is un arguable.

She gave you quotes for Iowa and Missouri? Those 2 states have some of the lower values you will see as there is a ton of farm crap out here in the Midwest which will show a way lower average sales price. Your in Nevada tell her you want quotes from a rust free area like you live in. They should be pulling comps from California ECT. The rust problems out here hurt values and sales dollars if she is unwilling to listen then it is time to escalate the claim to her boss and let them know you are not going to back down as their client did the damage and left the scene to prevent getting a DUI.

[special-K]

The world puts too much stock in computers. Value is non-arguable? Can't argue with a computer with an inaccurate program that couldn't possibly know actual values of something with so many variables? We know way more than the computer ever could, yet we can't debate it's cast-in-stone incorrectness?

The thing with some of these comments on liability on old vehicles, you realize the insurance industry puts us in a box here. They won't, or most won't, put a full policy on a vehicle beyond a certain age. The only way to get full coverage is with a historic policy. Then you get the best coverage, but you are restricted to only uses they approve. They also require the vehicle to be garaged, so wouldn't be covered out on the street.

[mrtoni]

Back from the body shop. Happy I picked Jackson Farmer (shameless plug). The owner says it's going to be totaled even at 100% of the $8200 value. He assured me of several things. He knows the value is much higher and will reflect that in his estimate/report. The insurance co cannot take possession of it unless I accept their offer. I was concerned because I had a set of original seats and a sandblasted in the back and the hatch is jammed shut. Third, there will be an appeal process with the next in the Allstate food chain. Probably over the phone but he says do my homework with values.
As it sat before the accident, I would value it at 12-15000k. No real rust but non-professional paint job. 3/4 ton axels, rebuilt 402, good top. Ran perfectly and straight down the road.
I will buy it back and either fix it or part it depending on frame damage. He says he cannot get it on the frame wrack without a wrecker.

Thanks to everyone. Any advice is still appreciated.
Matt in Reno

[Blue GMC]

Any updates?

[mrtoni]

So it's at the shop. They estimate damage close to $7000 as axle is damaged. He cannot get it on the lift to measure the frame as he needed to replace both spring packs and get axel in place to even roll it. I estimate it as a 12-15000 blazer so I think it will be under 65% and won't be totaled. The shop owner will also make the case that this is worth more that 8200. I don't get why they spend money on it before it's been approved for repairs.

[B Myers]

Originally Posted by mrtoni

Yep, preparing to get screwed. Adjuster report says comp sales are 7700 in Iowa and 7900 Missouri. Her estimate for repairs is 2400. If it hits about 4500 which it will it will be a total loss. They will pay 8200 for total loss minus salvage price est $200 by her and I can retain it.
She said in litigation there 3rd party neutral computer estimate cannot be challenged i.e. Value is un arguable.

That might be your deal because if you take the payout and buy it back for salvage you can fix it and move on. As long as the title is not signed over it doesn't turn into a salvage title, only if you let the title go and get it back do you have to deal with that.

[Marine-58]

Just adding my $0.02 worth. Adjusters are paid highly and receive big bonuses on what they do not pay out. So it is not in their personal interest to be honest about value. I have been down this road a few times. Sometimes just arguing with them will get what you want, but sometimes it takes a lawyer. Your insurance should weigh in on this as well. They can pressure Allstate to make this right.