[moab_b2]

My 94 FZJ80 was hit by kid last week, and now his insurance (Farmers) say its a total loss. I am pissed. I cannot afford a new used LC and all I want it to get it fixed... Now they say that it is only worth $4574 cashout or $3685 if I retain the LC!!! Kbb, NADA, and comparables they send me all are way higher. This makes no sense. I told them it was completely unacceptable. The nice girl told me to get my own comparables within 500 miles but there arent any within that area. Even hers she has listed are further away from that. Rant over...

My question is, how did those of you get max money out of them? They are way low balling us and I am wanting max to either be able to buy another 94 or fix this one... Thanks in advance.

[bugsnbikes]

Well if its the same 94 with 250k miles as your sig-----id take the money and run out and buy a 94 with 100k less miles for $5k-6k with lockers.

You should do comparables in all of UTAH and see if you can squeeze another $500 out of em and then jump into something with ALOT less miles and drive that one to 250k miles.

[Sparky97LX]

With 250k miles they're using the high mileage as a deduct and trying to low ball you. Hold on tight, maybe mention that the driver (you?) is starting to feel some pain in the lower back (actually you do, its from bending over) and need to see a doctor before you could consider settling for that amount. You'll be surprised how fast they come up in price. They want this deal closed and settled, fast. I did just this about 7 years ago when a teenager blew thru a stop sign and totaled my K5 Blazer. They almost doubled the price they would pay.

[CreeperSleeper]

They won't use KBB or NADA for values... You just need to find 80's in your area with like miles and condition. If you can't find one within 500 mi, seach for all years and slowly expand the search. It's up to you to prove that your rig is worth more than that.

As for the insurance company, they have to total a veh if the damage is over 70% of the value. It's not like they pick and choose. The values are pulled from a 3rd party company. That law is in place to make the values more fair. Unfortunately, it doesn't work 100% of the time, as you now know. I'm a Farmers agent in Oregon, so let me know if you have any other questions. I don't know UT law, but I can help with general answers.

[moab_b2]

Problem is there arent many LC in utah for sale! And those the same or close in years even without lockers are $5-7k. They arent even trying to go that high. I am not willing to put any more money into either fixing or buying another LC. Their damned client hit me and I just want to get my LC in the condition it was in. Losers....

[CreeperSleeper]

Originally Posted by Sparky97LX

With 250k miles they're using the high mileage as a deduct and trying to low ball you. Hold on tight, maybe mention that the driver (you?) is starting to feel some pain in the lower back (actually you do, its from bending over) and need to see a doctor before you could consider settling for that amount. You'll be surprised how fast they come up in price. They want this deal closed and settled, fast. I did just this about 7 years ago when a teenager blew thru a stop sign and totaled my K5 Blazer. They almost doubled the price they would pay.

Yeah, that could stick as insurance fraud and is a great way to see the inside of a jail cell... Did you know that 47% of the premiums you pay on insurance goes to paying fraudulant claims like what you did? Thank you for -ing up my insurance rates.

Side note: It is against the law to profit from a claim. It's designed so that you get the money that you could have sold the rig for right before the accident. Nothing more.

[CreeperSleeper]

Originally Posted by moab_b2

Problem is there arent many LC in utah for sale! And those the same or close in years even without lockers are $5-7k. They arent even trying to go that high. I am not willing to put any more money into either fixing or buying another LC. Their damned client hit me and I just want to get my LC in the condition it was in. Losers....

Like I said, then slowly go outside of that 500 mile range. They will be able to see that none of them are for sale. However, if it is the rig in your signature, that sounds fair. Also, make sure to show them any and all reciepts for the rig that you may have.

[moab_b2]

Originally Posted by CreeperSleeper

However, if it is the rig in your signature, that sounds fair.

Which sounds fair? The 5-7K or the 4500 she offered me? To me all I want is my LC fixed. I told her this and she stated that they did not think it was worth much because it was "15 yrs old"!

Yes this LC is the one in my sig, and it runs like a champ, looks great with only the threads in the front seats that are coming undone (and we are planning on buying the replacement leather also). But the biggest problem is this. They want to give me $4500 with no LC which is not even close to enough to get me a like LC. So then they say ok we give you $3600 and you get it fixed, but their own inspector says it will take $3800+ to fix. So screwed either way if the girl wont budge. Also unsettling that her own comps are $1200-$2200 more then they will give me? How does this compute with only $216 in deductions per the inspector. This girl and farmers total loss department (not you in Or.) are very shady...

[CreeperSleeper]

Again, I don't know UT market, but I know of a couple 80's in OR that are '94 '95, locked and clean in the $4500 - $6500 range with 100k less miles... If you were to sell your 80 before the accident, how much do you think you could get for it? I would guess around $4500... Maybe $5k to the right buyer, just being honest. That is all they can look at by law. It is not the insurance companies job to replace your car, just give you what it's worth. If the adjuster won't budge, get your own comparibles together (they found some, so can you) and talk to her supervisor. Be nice to them, not demanding and stay calm. It will go a long way.

As for Farmers Total Loss Dept being shady, it sounds to me like they are doing everything within the law... You would be in the same boat no matter what company they were with. As a side note, the deductions on your vehicle that they listed would not include mileage. That is probably for the seats. And the comparibles probably have lower miles, which is why they would be higher... Just a thought.

[CreeperSleeper]

Also, I don't know if it is available in UT or not, but make sure that you ask to be reimbursed for diminished value. THEY WILL NOT ADD IT AUTOMATICALLY. Again, not sure if it is available in your state or not.

[UCBerzerkeley]

No offense again, but I don't think they are "screwing" you at all. Maybe try to get another 500 out of them by showing some comparative trucks, but man, if you can get 5000 I would take 5000 and buy a different LC.

Look at this one that just recently sold for $5500, right here on MUD. Pristine rig, updated maintenance, lots of new parts. 1995 w/ 140k on the clock

http://forum.ih8mud.com/vehicles-tra...j-80-sale.html

5k can go a long ways right now if you are OK w/ over 150k miles (which you obviously are).

[moab_b2]

Reimbursed for diminished value is only for a rtained vehicle correct? Also what kind of #s are we talking about? $100 or $1000?

[citadel]

question Creeper...

if we wanted to ensure we get the max value if our crusier is slammed into, is there an additional policy that should be purchased? For instance if you wanted to get 12k out of a '97 if it was totalled...

[jlg32281]

Send me a PM if you want some legal advice on how not to get screwed and possibly make this a very good deal for you. Yes, I am an attorney.

[sundaypunch]

$4600 for a 15-year old vehicle with 250k miles? You have an uphill battle if you expect to get more for it.

[98 SNAKE EATER]

Originally Posted by citadel

question Creeper...

if we wanted to ensure we get the max value if our crusier is slammed into, is there an additional policy that should be purchased? For instance if you wanted to get 12k out of a '97 if it was totalled...

Good question...

My biggest fear when driving my cruiser is that some uninsured illegal hits me and I get stuck with a check for KBB at best, which will NOT put me in another Cruiser that's in such good condition, nor will it cover any mods that happen to get damaged

I wouldn't mind paying a bit more as long as the coverage is good enough to get me into sumthin comparable without getting bent

[ThePookieBear]

Hey man, I don't know if this would help you, but when I was working for a flood damage restoration company it worked for people. Research a "Bad Faith Claim." That throws the insurance companies into a frenzy. Not sure what it does, but it scares them.... and say you're sore. Hope it works out. I've basically decided that on my '92, any wreck is a total loss... and I live with it.

[jlg32281]

Seriously, I can fill you in on how to make this a good deal for you.

[JAPFPE]

jlg32281......I sent you a PM.

A DD hit our parked 1997 LX450 two nights ago. The damage will likely be assessed as a total loss since our truck was hit in the DS rear quarter by a full size GMC pick-up that was likely moving close to 45mph (and subsequently over-turned). We love our truck and it has been pampered since we purchased it in 2000. We are hoping that the insurance company will settle the claim to enable our truck to be repaired. The assessor has stated that "it will be close" in his initial assessment.

[moab_b2]

FYI Farmers looked over our comparables and sent us a check for just under $6200. Now the task of finding the right replacement.

[1973Guppie]

yup, seems like the common theme is to NEVER take the first offer from an insurance company. From what I have heard they want to get it off their books asap, so if you give it some time they will come around to a reasonable amount. If my truck ever got hit, the first thing I would do is to start pulling everything aftermarket I could off of it so it could be used on another rig. I may keep my stock bumpers I will be removing for just this reason.

[Marco7]

Originally Posted by moab_b2

FYI Farmers looked over our comparables and sent us a check for just under $6200. Now the task of finding the right replacement.

Why restrict yourself to Utah? Might be worth a one-way ticket to retrieve a decent desert or southern cruiser?

[CreeperSleeper]

Originally Posted by moab_b2

Reimbursed for diminished value is only for a rtained vehicle correct? Also what kind of #s are we talking about? $100 or $1000?

It really depends on the state. Most of the time, there isn't any diminished value. If the bodyshop that fixed the car can do there job, it should be as good as new if not better.

Originally Posted by citadel

question Creeper...

if we wanted to ensure we get the max value if our crusier is slammed into, is there an additional policy that should be purchased? For instance if you wanted to get 12k out of a '97 if it was totalled...

It really depends on the state. Because of this, I would sit down with your agent and have a nice long talk about it. If you have a discount or online insurance company, get one with an agent!

Seriously, though, you may be able to put an endorsement on the vehicle for all the aftermarket equiptment. Beyond that, keep any and all reciepts and make sure to have lots of recent pics.

Originally Posted by ThePookieBear

Hey man, I don't know if this would help you, but when I was working for a flood damage restoration company it worked for people. Research a "Bad Faith Claim." That throws the insurance companies into a frenzy. Not sure what it does, but it scares them.... and say you're sore. Hope it works out. I've basically decided that on my '92, any wreck is a total loss... and I live with it.

Nothing about this would justify a Bad Faith Claim. All that would do is make the insurance company pay for legal fees on top of the claim, which would make everybodies insurance go up. Way to be short sighted. Apparently that's just how people think now days... It shows in the voting.

Originally Posted by 1973Guppie

yup, seems like the common theme is to NEVER take the first offer from an insurance company. From what I have heard they want to get it off their books asap, so if you give it some time they will come around to a reasonable amount. If my truck ever got hit, the first thing I would do is to start pulling everything aftermarket I could off of it so it could be used on another rig. I may keep my stock bumpers I will be removing for just this reason.

Yep! It's not so much that they want it off their books ASAP (if that was the case, they would just give you whatever you want to close the claim) so much as they are trying to limit their losses. That's just smart business. Beyond that it gets hard to find a correct value with a vehicle like ours. It's not like it's a three year old Accord. Most adjusters have those pretty well dialed in!

Another aspect to think about is every person they talk to has the mindset of ThePookieBear and think that they can screw the insurance company into paying off a credit card along with replacing their car. So you need to remember that the adjuster is already trying to take a hard line. Treat them like a person and they will more than likely be more cooperative.

[SBFJ60FIG]

Originally Posted by Marco7

Why restrict yourself to Utah? Might be worth a one-way ticket to retrieve a decent desert or southern cruiser?

For sure...I regularly drive and haul a tow dolly behind my Civic to pick rigs up or drop them off while hauling the Civic...man I love that little car! Makes ANYTHING possible when you're getting 30+MPG.

[tltaylor22]

I'm in Utah and just sold a 93 with lockers with 285k miles on it for $1500. It really doesn't sound sound like your getting screwed. Yes it sucks that you got hit, but they are offering you a lot more that you could sell it for. Post up some pictures and a description of the damage. $4k in damage doesn't sound like that much damage. There are plenty of body guys around that are willing to do side work for far cheaper than the shop would. If I understand you correctly they are willing to give you the truck and $3600 and you fix it? If the repairs are really $3800, you are only out a couple hundred dollars. Yes it sucks, but are you really argueing with them over a few hundred dollars? Yes the value of the vehicle will be deminished because of the accident, but it really isn't worth what your thinking to anyone else. I tried and tried to sell my 93 with the lift, tires, sliders and front bumper for $3k and finally took some stuff off and dumped it for $1500. Take the money and the rig, buy a bunch of used parts and pocket the change. Heck, you could have bought my whole rig and still had $2k left over.