Another totalled car thread

Captain Blood · 05-30-2018, 05:04 PM

I sure could use some advice. Just found out my wife's Honda pilot was totaled, from the accident last week. The other driver was at fault, uses progressive insurance. We owe $10,000 on the car, going to pay paid off in 13 months. They're offering us $17,500 to settle. The progressive agent says he found 4 cars within a 50 mile radius that go with the same trim level that our car has, and the same mileage. What can I do to better my negotiating position? I haven't had to deal with totaled car in about 35 years.

BayE30 · 05-30-2018, 05:15 PM

do your own research on the value, nobody else is going to do it. Insurance will find the cheapest comparison possible.

Maynard · 05-30-2018, 05:20 PM

A good first step would be making them show the paperwork on their 'comparables'.

TheWatchGuy · 05-30-2018, 05:25 PM

They should have given you a packet with all the info on the valuation. If they didnt, ask for it. From there, figure out if the comparisons are true 1:1 comparisons, and if not, address that.

I had a car totaled by progressive and i got a great settlement amount. It was on the high end of the valuation based on comparisons and condition of the car.

What year and trim level pilot? have you checked KBB, Clearbook, edmunds, etc to see what you should expect?

msan · 05-30-2018, 05:28 PM

Yeah my limited experience the insurance estimate was a good deal since they used comparables asking price and they gave me sales tax added on which seemed more than fair.

420Coupe · 05-30-2018, 05:42 PM

My experience with progressive specifically; 4 totalled car incidents, They're very generous when it comes to paying out totalled cars. At least for their own client, my insurance.

They did give me a packet everytime with 3-5 other vehicles same trim etc in my area and their prices. One of the times i did have to mention some additional equipment i had that wasnt being quoted in the other (4x4 4Runner with 3rd row seating) which upped what they paid out by roughly $6k.

So if you haven't received the comparison and breakdown of other cars, make sure to ask for it from progressive and verify it has all the same features you did. Sometimes it takes just asking the representative for more saying that you're finding others in the area with similar features for more and send them a couple of examples.

Captain Blood · 05-30-2018, 06:27 PM

I appreciate all the advice. Obviously I've been out searching for other cars in the comparable price range. The first offer, didn't seem to offer text title and license on the next car. That got me very angry.

zx10guy · 05-30-2018, 06:51 PM

As others have stated, you should be getting TTL (taxes/title/license) with the payout. My insurance did this for me on a car and a motorcycle. Also, if you did any substantial repair/maintenance recently, I would push for reimbursement on this too; such as new tires. I've seen people report they were able to get all or some of that paid back. In the case of my motorcycle incident, my insurance paid out for the cost of getting a new helmet since my helmet had some contact with the asphalt.

And since the other party is at fault, the other insurance is paying for storage of your vehicle until you settle out. So if you have documentation of getting a better payout, I would hold out until you are able to agree with a mutual payout.

Red Bread · 05-30-2018, 07:17 PM

Yep, you'll get TTL on the totaled value. I got reimbursed for tires I'd bought a month before my car was totaled and for the kid seat in the car.

Sea-Tac · 05-30-2018, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Real Dodger

I sure could use some advice. Just found out my wife's Honda pilot was totaled, from the accident last week. The other driver was at fault, uses progressive insurance. We owe $10,000 on the car, going to pay paid off in 13 months. They're offering us $17,500 to settle. The progressive agent says he found 4 cars within a 50 mile radius that go with the same trim level that our car has, and the same mileage. What can I do to better my negotiating position? I haven't had to deal with totaled car in about 35 years.

Ok. If you play this smart you may be able to do better than their proposed settlement. My questions to you: 1. how far do you want to go to make the insurance company miserable? 2. Have you signed anything yet?

Sea-Tac · 05-30-2018, 08:51 PM

https://www.maafirm.com/library/dimi...rty-damage.cfm

Read the section about total loss. Texas law firm.

WingZeroX5 · 05-30-2018, 09:15 PM

Allstate was very generous on ours. Gave us a packet full of the comparable's. The first thing the adjuster said after presenting the first offer was to provide any receipts of work done to the car. Promptly submitted everything including new tires that were installed a few months prior to the incident and I got back about 1.5k over the original estimate + reimbursement for tires and my registration pro-rated.

bbbbmw · 05-30-2018, 10:30 PM

Tell them your wife's neck hurts...

What year and mileage on the pilot?

irishbimmer · 05-30-2018, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Real Dodger

I sure could use some advice. Just found out my wife's Honda pilot was totaled, from the accident last week. The other driver was at fault, uses progressive insurance. We owe $10,000 on the car, going to pay paid off in 13 months. They're offering us $17,500 to settle. The progressive agent says he found 4 cars within a 50 mile radius that go with the same trim level that our car has, and the same mileage. What can I do to better my negotiating position? I haven't had to deal with totaled car in about 35 years.

Good luck on that one my friend, sounds like you are getting some good advice!
Sorry the wife got in the wreck. It stinks but at least you are a little bit to the good and not totally underwater.

Soul_Glo · 05-30-2018, 11:40 PM

How do they collate their information? Is it four used private owners or four used approved trade/dealer cars? I think the figure should be part way between trade and private. What does your research indicate?

Captain Blood · 05-31-2018, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by irishbimmer

Quote:

Originally Posted by Real Dodger

I sure could use some advice. Just found out my wife's Honda pilot was totaled, from the accident last week. The other driver was at fault, uses progressive insurance. We owe $10,000 on the car, going to pay paid off in 13 months. They're offering us $17,500 to settle. The progressive agent says he found 4 cars within a 50 mile radius that go with the same trim level that our car has, and the same mileage. What can I do to better my negotiating position? I haven't had to deal with totaled car in about 35 years.

Good luck on that one my friend, sounds like you are getting some good advice!
Sorry the wife got in the wreck. It stinks but at least you are a little bit to the good and not totally underwater.

The tough part is the wife is in total freak out mode. She is mad at me for disputing progressives offer.

Captain Blood · 05-31-2018, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbbbmw

Tell them your wife's neck hurts...

What year and mileage on the pilot?

2014
EX
79k miles
No recent work or improvements

Joe240 · 05-31-2018, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Real Dodger

The tough part is the wife is in total freak out mode. She is mad at me for disputing progressives offer.

Haha my wife is the same way. Just explain that the offer will still stand regardless of you disputing it or not. They offered 17.5, they won’t counter with less or remove the offer all together. Worst case they stick to the price. Best case they offer you more.

Joe240 · 05-31-2018, 07:13 AM

If anything calculate how much a day of work is worth to you and tell the adjuster you want a days worth of work in compensation because you now have to take a day of leave to hunt for a new vehicle that you could’ve used for something else. They usually won’t question bumping it an additional $200 or so for that, plus if it’ll close the case and they don’t have to argue with you anymore, money well spent.

DETRoadster · 05-31-2018, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Real Dodger

The tough part is the wife is in total freak out mode. She is mad at me for disputing progressives offer.

My wife does the same thing. My response to that, if we were in your situation would be "Well, it's YOUR car we are talking about here, so if you don't like the way I'm handling this I'll just step back and let you take it from here." Shuts her up every time.

Good luck, man! I've had one "totaled" car claim after our Honda Civic was stolen out of our driveway, stripped, and dumped. Because no one was ever caught we had to use our insurance (Allstate) and they were great. Their offer was $2k above what we paid for the car so we never made a peep. Just took the check and ran.

bbbbmw · 05-31-2018, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Real Dodger

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbbbmw

Tell them your wife's neck hurts...

What year and mileage on the pilot?

2014
EX
79k miles
No recent work or improvements

That sucks - sorry to hear about the wreck. Good luck with Progressive!

Alfisti · 05-31-2018, 08:42 AM

Why do women freak out and enter conflict mode in these situations, three guys in this thread, add me for four, unbelievable.

05-30-2018, 05:04 PM	#1
Captain Blood Banned 13868 Rep 14,519 Posts Drives: Audi S3....don't judge me Join Date: May 2017 Location: Alph Ceti VI iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 Audi S3 [9.50] 2012 135 [6.83]	Another totalled car thread I sure could use some advice. Just found out my wife's Honda pilot was totaled, from the accident last week. The other driver was at fault, uses progressive insurance. We owe $10,000 on the car, going to pay paid off in 13 months. They're offering us $17,500 to settle. The progressive agent says he found 4 cars within a 50 mile radius that go with the same trim level that our car has, and the same mileage. What can I do to better my negotiating position? I haven't had to deal with totaled car in about 35 years.
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05-30-2018, 05:15 PM	#2
BayE30 Lieutenant Colonel 1341 Rep 1,881 Posts Drives: 2011.75 E90 M3 ZCP Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (5)	do your own research on the value, nobody else is going to do it. Insurance will find the cheapest comparison possible.
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05-30-2018, 05:20 PM	#3
Maynard Colonel 3848 Rep 2,873 Posts Drives: 228iX & M2C Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Upstate NY iTrader: (1)	A good first step would be making them show the paperwork on their 'comparables'.
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05-30-2018, 05:25 PM	#4
TheWatchGuy Colonel 3905 Rep 2,524 Posts Drives: 335xi Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: CO iTrader: (0)	They should have given you a packet with all the info on the valuation. If they didnt, ask for it. From there, figure out if the comparisons are true 1:1 comparisons, and if not, address that. I had a car totaled by progressive and i got a great settlement amount. It was on the high end of the valuation based on comparisons and condition of the car. What year and trim level pilot? have you checked KBB, Clearbook, edmunds, etc to see what you should expect?
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05-30-2018, 05:28 PM	#5
msan Major 403 Rep 1,171 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 M3 / 2012 X5 35i M Sp Join Date: May 2015 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (16)	Yeah my limited experience the insurance estimate was a good deal since they used comparables asking price and they gave me sales tax added on which seemed more than fair.
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05-30-2018, 05:42 PM	#6
420Coupe Lieutenant 223 Rep 443 Posts Drives: 2015 Alpine White M3 Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	My experience with progressive specifically; 4 totalled car incidents, They're very generous when it comes to paying out totalled cars. At least for their own client, my insurance. They did give me a packet everytime with 3-5 other vehicles same trim etc in my area and their prices. One of the times i did have to mention some additional equipment i had that wasnt being quoted in the other (4x4 4Runner with 3rd row seating) which upped what they paid out by roughly $6k. So if you haven't received the comparison and breakdown of other cars, make sure to ask for it from progressive and verify it has all the same features you did. Sometimes it takes just asking the representative for more saying that you're finding others in the area with similar features for more and send them a couple of examples.
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05-30-2018, 06:27 PM	#7
Captain Blood Banned 13868 Rep 14,519 Posts Drives: Audi S3....don't judge me Join Date: May 2017 Location: Alph Ceti VI iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 Audi S3 [9.50] 2012 135 [6.83]	I appreciate all the advice. Obviously I've been out searching for other cars in the comparable price range. The first offer, didn't seem to offer text title and license on the next car. That got me very angry.
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05-30-2018, 07:17 PM	#9
Red Bread Major General 4463 Rep 9,160 Posts Drives: Smog machines Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	Yep, you'll get TTL on the totaled value. I got reimbursed for tires I'd bought a month before my car was totaled and for the kid seat in the car.
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05-30-2018, 08:51 PM	#11
Sea-Tac Major 1453 Rep 1,487 Posts Drives: 2108 X3 xDrive30i Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Bellevue, Wa iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 X3 xDrive30i [0.00] 2016 328i xDrive [0.00]	https://www.maafirm.com/library/dimi...rty-damage.cfm Read the section about total loss. Texas law firm.
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05-30-2018, 09:15 PM	#12
WingZeroX5 Colonel 766 Rep 2,361 Posts Drives: F80 / F30 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (14)	Allstate was very generous on ours. Gave us a packet full of the comparable's. The first thing the adjuster said after presenting the first offer was to provide any receipts of work done to the car. Promptly submitted everything including new tires that were installed a few months prior to the incident and I got back about 1.5k over the original estimate + reimbursement for tires and my registration pro-rated.
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05-30-2018, 10:30 PM	#13
bbbbmw Major General 2394 Rep 6,083 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Southwest iTrader: (0)	Tell them your wife's neck hurts... What year and mileage on the pilot? __________________ <OO (llll)(llll) OO>
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05-30-2018, 11:40 PM	#15
Soul_Glo Major General 13346 Rep 7,484 Posts Drives: G20 Join Date: May 2013 Location: Manhattan, NYC iTrader: (1)	How do they collate their information? Is it four used private owners or four used approved trade/dealer cars? I think the figure should be part way between trade and private. What does your research indicate?
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05-31-2018, 07:13 AM	#19
Joe240 Major 2924 Rep 1,303 Posts Drives: 2021 C8 Corvette 1LT Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Pensacola iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 GMC Sierra AT4 [0.00] 2019 BMW X3 M40i [0.00]	If anything calculate how much a day of work is worth to you and tell the adjuster you want a days worth of work in compensation because you now have to take a day of leave to hunt for a new vehicle that you could’ve used for something else. They usually won’t question bumping it an additional $200 or so for that, plus if it’ll close the case and they don’t have to argue with you anymore, money well spent.
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05-31-2018, 08:42 AM	#22
Alfisti Brigadier General 6501 Rep 3,032 Posts Drives: 2008 Saab 9-3 Combi Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0)	Why do women freak out and enter conflict mode in these situations, three guys in this thread, add me for four, unbelievable.
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