My truck took a hit

[71swb4x4]

Originally Posted by DANTIP

Show this SOLD Ebay listing to your adjuster when they claim your truck was worth a lot less. Looks similar to me and it sold for over $7200

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1972-...#ht_500wt_1182

75% of $7,200 is $5,400.

Good Luck!!

The problem with the "sold" ebay listing is it keeps getting relisted. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=130484811858

[DANTIP]

The adjuster just needs to see some similar vehicles for a benchmark. If I needed some "Comps", I am confident I could find some that would help my case.

The adjuster may be perfectly satisfied by seeing listings shown as SOLD (they don't want to appear to be giving away the farm at their office).

[tjvending]

Adjuster first offer: $2,500 as total or 75% value at 1875.00. Is said I need another offer! He said he will track down two more trucks that have sold in like condition from my zip code 20850 and out.

[1quik70]

Originally Posted by tjvending

Adjuster first offer: $2,500 as total or 75% value at 1875.00. Is said I need another offer! He said he will track down two more trucks that have sold in like condition from my zip code 20850 and out.

Don't take it!!! That is way too low! At least find out what it is going to cost to make it the same as it was, then add a little for you inconvenience.

Not a classic, but I bought a v6 Mustang for $1900, my wife drove it for a year and got hit. Their ins. co. payed us over 3 grand for the car itself. The car was a completely dilapidated pile, I only bought it to prove a point to my wife. Insurance companies will try to screw you with and old truck, don't bend over!

[custom1970]

I hope you have been doing your homework, if not, they will try and get out of this as cheaply as possible. Did you have any values of similiar trucks to show that he was wrong? Did you have any repair estimates that show what it will cost to fix it? Have you asked your insurance company what the value of your truck is? If you can't prove that his offer is way to low then they are going to offer that and walk away. Knowledge is your best friend, tell them what your truck is (was) worth, and what it will take to repair it and don't agree to less. You just have to be able to back up what your asking for.

[LilD]

I can relate to this thread. My son got hit by a truck 2 years ago. Insurance company offered enough to pay the bills and a few hundred extra. The judge told them to come back with a reasonable offer! Theyll try to do whats best for them and not you. Stick to your guns and dont back down.

[VA72C10]

Keep in mind the job of the adjuster is to get this done and behind them for the cheapest amount possible. If not, the gambling scheme they have going on doesn't work

[tjvending]

Well here's round two: Received the second call from the adjuster. He said the total vaule is now at $2,117.00, he found two more truck in better shape then mind for less money. He now is offering $1587.50 as the 75% rate or the truck is to be Total at $2117.00. This was actually lower then yesterday's toatl value of $2500.00, he said because I have the Rally Wheels and yesterday's was for Alloy wheels. I asked about the vale of $2115 he he said that was a final value and that he would write the estimate as total since I won't agree. Now it looks like a fight.

[VA72C10]

Originally Posted by tjvending

Well here's round two: Received the second call from the adjuster. He said the total vaule is now at $2,117.00, he found two more truck in better shape then mind for less money. He now is offering $1587.50 as the 75% rate or the truck is to be Total at $2117.00. This was actually lower then yesterday's toatl value of $2500.00, he said because I have the Rally Wheels and yesterday's was for Alloy wheels. I asked about the vale of $2115 he he said that was a final value and that he would write the estimate as total since I won't agree. Now it looks like a fight.

well, that stinks...time to get as much documentation as possible to back yourself up. Find all the most expensive trucks since they found the cheapest. Look up ads for the rally wheels which sell for good money to fight the ridiculous claim there that it's worth less than alloy (which were never available on the truck)

[custom1970]

you are being taken advantage of. a quick search from NADA classic car values shows that your truck, low retail is $9,550.00!! unless..., it has several problems that your photo doesn't show. If he can replace your truck for $2,500.00 tell him fine, and to show you the replacement truck. He's *&%*ing you. Have you done anything to prove his value wrong???

You need some help with this, contact your insurance or a lawyer

[tjvending]

Progressive Ins is writing it up as a total loss at $2117.00 value with $2663.93 as total damages. Someone else now from Progessive will be calling me for a total loss settlement, (exactly what I didn't want to do), I know my truck should be value around the $4K-5K area. It's not a show truck but a good driver, they gave me one "excel"-motor, one "fair"-truck bed (has some rust holes) and all the other area's as "good"

[68 IRON]

Let me get this straight......the truck is totaled in their eyes for a crushed quarter panel? Cheese and rice!!! Flat tire and a long tow would have been a total too! Sounds to me the insurance company (Progressive) needs an adjustment.....unbelievable. I dont think you should settle imo.

[don t. - 72gmc]

Originally Posted by tjvending

Progressive Ins is writing it up as a total loss at $2117.00 value with $2663.93 as total damages.

.

If I were in your shoes....
...I would hire a lawyer independant of either insurance co's. You want someone to protect YOUR interests, not some companies.
...I would hire a classic car/truck appraiser. Yes, its gonna cost some $'s but then you know what you've got.

Good luck.....don t. ....

[96blazr]

Originally Posted by 68 IRON

Let me get this straight......the truck is totaled in their eyes for a crushed quarter panel? Cheese and rice!!! Flat tire and a long tow would have been a total too! Sounds to me the insurance company (Progressive) needs an adjustment.....unbelievable. I dont think you should settle imo.

All you Youts and Young Bucks need to pay attention to this thread. It sucks for TJ and I wish I could help, but when you own a classic and it's not Recognized AS a collector vehicle, then you're limited in how you can proceed.
Companies like Progressive simply do not want anything to do a ANY vehicle that is 20 years old or older.
Also try to keep from parking on the street, if at all possible. Install kill switches, Battery disconnects, fuel cut-off's, Window etching the VIN and anything else to keep your cost low and to elevate the "agreed Value" of you truck. Some insurance compaines have partners that offer collector insurance, but 99.9% of the require a Locked Garage, but I would check with them anyway.


I'm telling ya TJ, I'm sorry you're going through this. I have a couple of questions for ya; What have you learned going through this experience? What knowledge will you gain by this to apply toward your Truck in the future?

[Clyde65]

I agree with Don t, get an independant appraiser and have him/her run the numbers. You will probably have to fork over for that but it should be worth it.

[scrapmetalart]

get a lawyer...

[motornut]

Sorry bout your truck i can relate i've lost two ,both hit while parked at night
it took a couple of weeks for the company to settle with me
and that was 4000 for 87 and 2800 for 88 and plus keep the trucks
luckly i already had another didn't care bout the salvage/title
thats way to low........and keep track of other expenses too
there is i'm sure differences from can to usa...

[67swb72klb]

better get your homework done these trucks are not a dime a dozen anymore u can prove it progressive is tuff (most insurance co are) they like taking your money not giving it out just too bad about your truck !

[So.Cal.Super]

Don't let them bend you over!

I would find a local appraiser and get the truck appraised for the full amount.

Have you gotten any written estimates to repair from shops?

You may have to lawyer up but don't let them try to push you around.

I know it’s too late but I would look at better insurance, mine is full coverage with a 10k value (I need it appraised if I want more) for 75.00 for 6 months with state farm. It's insured as a classic.

When I was rear ended a few years ago the guys insurance who hit me tried to yank me around. I went through my insurance and paid the $500.00 deductible and after it was settled that it was his fault my insurance sent me a check for my deductible back.

[tjvending]

One thing is, never leave your truck out on the street. Get the Insurance covarage need to have this thing covered. How would JC Talyor or Gundy handle this?

[todd99]

Originally Posted by tjvending

One thing is, never leave your truck out on the street. Get the Insurance covarage need to have this thing covered. How would JC Talyor or Gundy handle this?

I am curious as well. After seeing what happened to you I am definitely ditching Progressive. JC Taylor seems like a great deal, better coverage and much lower price.


You should get a lawyer, try and get all the money back you have been paying them over the years. Make them bleed money.

[mr48chev]

Ouch, I'm not sure this will help your cause or not but there is a nice 72 longbed bed for sale locally and the price isn't cheap so you might want to print the add to aid your arguement. http://yakima.craigslist.org/pts/2213165983.html That is with no tailgate and no lights. But it may help your argument of what it is going to cost to replace your bed with one of equal condition.

Do as some of the guys suggested and do some homework and print out Ebay final sales and adds off Craigslist and other sources for trucks that are quite similar both in equipment and condition around the country. It will take a few hours work to do but should help you come out in better shape on this.

[treveiger]

State farm my truck is insured for 10,000 under a classic. Progressive dont like to give money back and if they do its most likely very little so prepare to lawer up and have a lot of proof on hand to show them your truck is worth more..

[Vandals909]

Getting an attorney is pointless, they will not be interested in your case. Their is no money for them to make on a property damage claim. Plus if they take your case say goodbye to probably 30% or more. It is best if you can to handle on your own.

It appears the property damage limit in Maryland is 15k so their policy limits should be ok.

Best thing to do is get an independent appraiser to give you a value on the truck. If the value comes back much higher they are offering then obviously submit it to the adjuster for review. If they do not budge with the documentation you have provided ask to speak with his manager and mention "bad faith" and also you that you will be filing a complaint with the "Maryland Insurance Administration" or "MIA regarding the improper handling of your total loss.

If they agree to the value from the appraisal you might also submit the receipt of the appraisal fee to them for reimbursement, all they can say is no.

Lastly if they do not budge your last option is to take their insured to small claims court, although I'm not sure of the limits in your state for small claims.
I'm sure a judge will not be sympathetic to a hit and run driver or their insurance company if you have the proper documentation for the value of your truck.

Do not sign a release until you are satisfied with the amount you are receiving.

Make sure you get the point through that you are disputing your vehicle is a total loss as their value is nowhere close to the value of your truck. It is your right to received their documentation on where these "comparable vehicles" are located.

Best of luck

[67swb72klb]

state farm thats who i use also i think they told me they would insure my 72 ck10 for 20k just last dec when i finished it the good thing is u can drop it down to min coverages if you arent driven it as much as u want