My truck took a hit

[magwakeenercew2jh]

Originally Posted by So.Cal.Super

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

Right F'ing on!!!! Here's the problem. Most of us are set up (from birth) to be fair and nice.

Soooo, here comes the guy with the check. He's TRAINED to be nice to you. Until you see his offer. The second offer is less? Big surprise.
He finds something that sucks the value down of your truck after the first "bite"? That's called "hardball". And sometimes that's delivered as a "sinker".

We want to be nice to the guy with the check. And we CAN BE. Until he tries to corn-row us.

I'm no expert. But all I ever do in a case of culpability by someone else is to suggest to them,
in a firm tone, that I wasn't driving the errant car. Their client was. And all I want is to be made "whole".

Find a lawyer that might be a friend of a friend. One that will at least write a letter...maybe a $200 cost.
An attorney won't take this on contingency...that's for sure. Not enough "damage" for their 30-40% of payment.
But, if you just go "hourly", you can recover attorney's fees, too.

And, since I haven't read the whole thread, I don't know if it applies in this case or whether it's too late....
....ALWAYS tell them that you are getting the advice of your attorney and can not sign anything until he reviews
whatever they want you to sign.

[motornut]

i duno if i'd mention the idea of going after the driver personally till the truck is settled
rereading my post i forgot to add we have restitution appearently now and according to a police officer that called me when i go to court for his impared charge i might get another 2000.00 in restitution payment this must be new......didn't get it last time

duno if we have those "collecters gotta be in garages" clauses here
tell em "yup",........... they were in the box with the new headers" lol

[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

[tjvending]

Hey Guys, I may need some help with receipts. I need some for Cowl Hood, Fenders, Inter Fenders, Bumper front, Grill, Starter and anything else I can use against the Ins. I bought most of my new parts at Carilse and paid cash. If you can, fax'es them to me, at TJ Ricketts at 301-279-4998

I requested information on the two trucks they are comparing and both are POS! One doesn't even have a tailgate and needs a whole rear, they price that one at 2700.00, the other is a POS work truck, dirty and everything is missing, both have over 200,000 miles both are 307's, mines a 350. I send you pictures when I get a little time.
Oh Yea, the Total price now is 2300.00 and they keep the vehicle, I keep it at 1700.00 and a Salvage Title.

[Lee H]

I just went to the NADA web site and get a price in about 20 seconds.

[tjvending]

Originally Posted by Lee H

I just went to the NADA web site and get a price in about 20 seconds.

Do they charge for this?

[stich626]

I'd tell progressive to pound sand..
did you even bother to stop at a shop and price out the repairs?????..
did you hit up lmc ,etc and price out the parts, progressive doesn't need to know a full bed is on craigs list..
price out the parts to fix, and the labor from the shop..
if progressive barks, remind them their insured left....
stand firm.. you want it fixed . and no salvage title..
also YOU print out for sale listings of "like" trucks for sale or sold,,(ebay,craigs list,autohunter online,etc) have print outs in hand.. have your shop app. in hand , hell get two..
your truck is drive able so, you got all the time in the world, just get a bulb in the tail light(paint it red) so you don't get a ticket)
if you have 10 sold or for sale adds at normal fair value prices and 2 shop app.
and a lawyers biz card in a file, and show that to them..
you'll do better..
you have to do the leg work..
also call hagardy and grundy and ask what trucks like yours are insured for (agreed value insurance)
ask them to e mail this to you..
that'll show the av value.
if they are hell bent on totaling it.. get the most from it, and your keeping it, and buying it back for 5 bucks..
then, take your highest body shop app. and sue the owner of the other car for the balance, and loss of value from a salvage title.. in small claims, with police report that he/she fled..

[custom1970]

Originally Posted by stich626

I'd tell progressive to pound sand..
did you even bother to stop at a shop and price out the repairs?????..
did you hit up lmc ,etc and price out the parts, progressive doesn't need to know a full bed is on craigs list..
price out the parts to fix, and the labor from the shop..
if progressive barks, remind them their insured left....
stand firm.. you want it fixed . and no salvage title..
also YOU print out for sale listings of "like" trucks for sale or sold,,(ebay,craigs list,autohunter online,etc) have print outs in hand.. have your shop app. in hand , hell get two..
your truck is drive able so, you got all the time in the world, just get a bulb in the tail light(paint it red) so you don't get a ticket)
if you have 10 sold or for sale adds at normal fair value prices and 2 shop app.
and a lawyers biz card in a file, and show that to them..
you'll do better..
you have to do the leg work..
also call hagardy and grundy and ask what trucks like yours are insured for (agreed value insurance)
ask them to e mail this to you..
that'll show the av value.
if they are hell bent on totaling it.. get the most from it, and your keeping it, and buying it back for 5 bucks..
then, take your highest body shop app. and sue the owner of the other car for the balance, and loss of value from a salvage title.. in small claims, with police report that he/she fled..

I'm sorry, i don't understand what he wants, but everyone keeps telling him the same thing. "DO YOUR HOMEWORK"
This has been going on for a while, starting to wonder....

[70chevykidd]

no they don't thankfully lol

[1quik70]

Seems to me this fella, is wanting to make out like a bandit without putting in the leg work. Get off the board, and start making your calls to different vendors, and get your receipts, parts estimates, ect. Why should we be doing your leg work, you gonna send us a cut?

Everyone is dropping gold and your just not picking it up man, no free lunches! You have the ability to make out pretty good in this deal. I mean, you only need a new bed, and gate. If you can get them for what your truck is worth, you will be thousands ahead, if you do the work. You HAVE to put in the time and battle it out!

[tjvending]

Originally Posted by 1quik70

Seems to me this fella, is wanting to make out like a bandit without putting in the leg work. Get off the board, and start making your calls to different vendors, and get your receipts, parts estimates, ect. Why should we be doing your leg work, you gonna send us a cut?

Everyone is dropping gold and your just not picking it up man, no free lunches! You have the ability to make out pretty good in this deal. I mean, you only need a new bed, and gate. If you can get them for what your truck is worth, you will be thousands ahead, if you do the work. You HAVE to put in the time and battle it out!

Sorry to bother you. I'll stop posting to this tread. Thanks for your help. I have done my homework, thanks to you guys. I'm just stuck on the receipts, since I bought most of my stuff at Carisle. I'm also stuff with Progessive of totaling my truck. I'm going on with an appeal to show the value of the truck. Its not the amount of damage, its the value of the truck. $1700 is not MAKING IT OUT! AND A SALVAGE TITLE

[60ratrod]

just keep us in the loop man. i wanna know how this turns out. personally i think that you can't be dealing with them 24/7. but i would seriously be looking into legal consultations right now. and again i would be going after the other driver too

[sbc383rulz]

be glad your arent trying to get money out of allstate! the guy who hit me 4 years ago had allstate and i just finally got my compensation even though it was clearly his fault! go everywhere you can to get a blue book value and show that and ever receipt you can for the truck to the insurance company. allstate payed almost 9K to fix my 1969 gmc.

[67swb72klb]

yes it is agreed value but i dont park it it the street at my home but of coarse it does get parked there sometimes im just saying they dont say u are not covered if u do park in street

[treveiger]

I have a car and truck trader if with some trucks that are going for a pretty good price, i can look them up and send you the sights with the trucks on there and you can show that to them? This forum is ment to help people out and thats what were here for. Please if you need help feel free to ask!!!

[stich626]

it's simple
1) print out 10 "like" trucks from hemmings,ebay,craigs list,autohunter classic's/etc, and be honest on "like" trucks
2) go to a body shop and have the damage aprased,, with parts listed that are going to be replaced and ones repaired..
now go online price out the parts ..every one listed on your bodyshop form. from two different vendors say lmc and brothers (you're not looking at saving money in this report,so no point in looking for the cheapest vendors)
print out your shop'n cart from both sites..
now go back to that body shop and ask them to rewrite the appras. with labor and parts, including the hours for each repair (part replacement,body time,paint time,materials, all of it..
then go to a 2nd shop and get the same.
now with 10 like truck listings/sales, 2 parts list vendor cost and 2 body shop apras.
drive to a progesive office..(if you can find one)
if not ..call and get a claims manager.. and talk to them..
with your paperwork(homework) and their adj. apras. and offer paperwork,(you did get copies of those RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!)
stand firm.. and if they total it.. you want the real going value of "like trucks, as you know what they trade for..
and if they are still going to total it with the higher value(real sales of like trucks)
you want to buy it back for 100 bucks..
only way your getting around the salvage title if his insurance is set on total'n in out. is sue'n the owner of minivan for the total cost of the repairs and time lost,and court cost..

because you have "basic" coverage, instead of full,,or collector car,
you might be forced to take a check (your homework will deside on how big it'll be)
and buy it back,with salvage title(buy back cost is in your hands) I'd tell um I'm keeping it. and giving them nothing.. but you're more than likely gonna have to hand over a 100.oo to cover the new title..
then walk into small claims court and sue the owner of the van that hit you and the driver(if not the same) for the balance of the cost to fix ,that the insurance check didn't cover, (parts/shipping/labor/materials/rental car/) and devalue a tion from salvage title..

face it. you're more than likely stuck..
your card are to get info that raises the value of the truck.. to get a bigger check
then pay as little as you can to buy it back..(fight them here, reminging the claims manager that you where the one hit)
the sue for the balance..
sorry thats the way it is..
remember to pick apart the trucks that they are use'n to value your truck.. showing every little thing thats wrong/missing on those that your isn't(wasn't)
miles on the trucks is mute.. as there is no way to tell yours doesn't have a million miles on it..
good luck.. a day or 2 of leg work and calls would have netted you a bigger check..
and don't forget to print out edmons and nada numbers ..
get your @$$ in gear..
good luck.. sadly it maybe to late.. and your gonna be stuck.. and have to sue..

[magwakeenercew2jh]

Originally Posted by stich626

it's simple....snip....
good luck.. sadly it maybe to late.. and your gonna be stuck.. and have to sue..

Nice job, stitch. That was great of you to write that. I'm copying it for my document stash.

And I HOPE I never have to refer to it.

[tjvending]

Originally Posted by stich626

it's simple
1) print out 10 "like" trucks from hemmings,ebay,craigs list,autohunter classic's/etc, and be honest on "like" trucks
2) go to a body shop and have the damage aprased,, with parts listed that are going to be replaced and ones repaired..
now go online price out the parts ..every one listed on your bodyshop form. from two different vendors say lmc and brothers (you're not looking at saving money in this report,so no point in looking for the cheapest vendors)
print out your shop'n cart from both sites..
now go back to that body shop and ask them to rewrite the appras. with labor and parts, including the hours for each repair (part replacement,body time,paint time,materials, all of it..
then go to a 2nd shop and get the same.
now with 10 like truck listings/sales, 2 parts list vendor cost and 2 body shop apras.
drive to a progesive office..(if you can find one)
if not ..call and get a claims manager.. and talk to them..
with your paperwork(homework) and their adj. apras. and offer paperwork,(you did get copies of those RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!)
stand firm.. and if they total it.. you want the real going value of "like trucks, as you know what they trade for..
and if they are still going to total it with the higher value(real sales of like trucks)
you want to buy it back for 100 bucks..
only way your getting around the salvage title if his insurance is set on total'n in out. is sue'n the owner of minivan for the total cost of the repairs and time lost,and court cost..

because you have "basic" coverage, instead of full,,or collector car,
you might be forced to take a check (your homework will deside on how big it'll be)
and buy it back,with salvage title(buy back cost is in your hands) I'd tell um I'm keeping it. and giving them nothing.. but you're more than likely gonna have to hand over a 100.oo to cover the new title..
then walk into small claims court and sue the owner of the van that hit you and the driver(if not the same) for the balance of the cost to fix ,that the insurance check didn't cover, (parts/shipping/labor/materials/rental car/) and devalue a tion from salvage title..

face it. you're more than likely stuck..
your card are to get info that raises the value of the truck.. to get a bigger check
then pay as little as you can to buy it back..(fight them here, reminging the claims manager that you where the one hit)
the sue for the balance..
sorry thats the way it is..
remember to pick apart the trucks that they are use'n to value your truck.. showing every little thing thats wrong/missing on those that your isn't(wasn't)
miles on the trucks is mute.. as there is no way to tell yours doesn't have a million miles on it..
good luck.. a day or 2 of leg work and calls would have netted you a bigger check..
and don't forget to print out edmons and nada numbers ..
get your @$$ in gear..
good luck.. sadly it maybe to late.. and your gonna be stuck.. and have to sue..

Great Information, kind of what everyone has given me. I'm giving them my appeal today, it has all of the things you said. The only thing is Progessive wants $600.00 to buy the Salvage Title back, doesn't thiis seem high? I'm not going to let them do this, even if I have to fix's the truck myself and put a Law Suite against the Owner and the driver.

[tjvending]

Originally Posted by stich626

it's simple
1) print out 10 "like" trucks from hemmings,ebay,craigs list,autohunter classic's/etc, and be honest on "like" trucks
2) go to a body shop and have the damage aprased,, with parts listed that are going to be replaced and ones repaired..
now go online price out the parts ..every one listed on your bodyshop form. from two different vendors say lmc and brothers (you're not looking at saving money in this report,so no point in looking for the cheapest vendors)
print out your shop'n cart from both sites..
now go back to that body shop and ask them to rewrite the appras. with labor and parts, including the hours for each repair (part replacement,body time,paint time,materials, all of it..
then go to a 2nd shop and get the same.
now with 10 like truck listings/sales, 2 parts list vendor cost and 2 body shop apras.
drive to a progesive office..(if you can find one)
if not ..call and get a claims manager.. and talk to them..
with your paperwork(homework) and their adj. apras. and offer paperwork,(you did get copies of those RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!)
stand firm.. and if they total it.. you want the real going value of "like trucks, as you know what they trade for..
and if they are still going to total it with the higher value(real sales of like trucks)
you want to buy it back for 100 bucks..
only way your getting around the salvage title if his insurance is set on total'n in out. is sue'n the owner of minivan for the total cost of the repairs and time lost,and court cost..

because you have "basic" coverage, instead of full,,or collector car,
you might be forced to take a check (your homework will deside on how big it'll be)
and buy it back,with salvage title(buy back cost is in your hands) I'd tell um I'm keeping it. and giving them nothing.. but you're more than likely gonna have to hand over a 100.oo to cover the new title..
then walk into small claims court and sue the owner of the van that hit you and the driver(if not the same) for the balance of the cost to fix ,that the insurance check didn't cover, (parts/shipping/labor/materials/rental car/) and devalue a tion from salvage title..

face it. you're more than likely stuck..
your card are to get info that raises the value of the truck.. to get a bigger check
then pay as little as you can to buy it back..(fight them here, reminging the claims manager that you where the one hit)
the sue for the balance..
sorry thats the way it is..
remember to pick apart the trucks that they are use'n to value your truck.. showing every little thing thats wrong/missing on those that your isn't(wasn't)
miles on the trucks is mute.. as there is no way to tell yours doesn't have a million miles on it..
good luck.. a day or 2 of leg work and calls would have netted you a bigger check..
and don't forget to print out edmons and nada numbers ..
get your @$$ in gear..
good luck.. sadly it maybe to late.. and your gonna be stuck.. and have to sue..

Great Information, kind of what everyone has given me. I'm giving them my appeal today, it has all of the things you said. The only thing is Progressive wants $600.00 to buy the Salvage Title back, doesn't thiis seem high? I'm not going to let them do this, even if I have to fix's the truck myself and put a Law Suit against the Owner and the Driver.

[Vandals909]

Did you get someone to appraise the truck? If so was the value more then the amount they estimate for the repairs?

Unfortunately if you do not agree with the value they have given your truck, it is up to you as the owner to prove how much it is worth. This is why I mentioned getting a professional appraiser to give a value on the truck. It might even be worth asking the progressive adjuster who they recommend for an appraisal, this way they can not dispute this particular appraiser.

I can not stress it enough, if the adjuster does not budge, provide the documentation to his/her manager, advise them they are acting in bad faith and if they do not handle this properly you will be forced to file a complaint with Maryland Insurance Administration for them ignoring your documentation for the value of the truck.

Here is a link to file a complaint:

http://www.mdinsurance.state.md.us/s...eComplaint.jsp

Also where are they getting the salvage bid of $600? Have they provided you with the documentation showing which junk yard/dismantler is willing to give $600? Typically the salvage value is between 15-20% of the value of the truck.

[96blazr]

TJvending, Who do you have it insured by?

What does YOUR Insurance say about all this?

Will they fix your truck and then battle with the other company to get repaid?

Have they offered you anything for getting it repaired?

How much coverage do you have on it?

[tjvending]

Originally Posted by 96blazr

TJvending, Who do you have it insured by?

What does YOUR Insurance say about all this?
Will they fix your truck and then battle with the other company to get repaid? Have they offered you anything for getting it repaired?
How much coverage do you have on it?

none

Here's my answers...

TJvending, Who do you have it insured by? Allstate


What does YOUR Insurance say about all this? No, only have Liabitlity


Will they fix your truck and then battle with the other company to get repaid? no

Have they offered you anything for getting it repaired? 1700 and Total on a bill of 2683.00

How much coverage do you have on it? liability
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