HELP - Insurance wants to total!

[doctorJ]

see earlier post, WRECKED , my son had a fender bender in the 84 and yesterday I talked to the Farmer's Ins. claims person who stated "we're gonna pay to fix your vehicle". So this morning I talk to the local adjuster on the phone and he says 'hmm, 84 land cruiser, I saw the other vehicle - I expect I'll just total yours" !!!!! I think I could sell it for 4K even with the fender damage (150,000 miles with 5K motor/engine compartment rebuild 10K miles ago, new lift springs and shocks, new 31" tires). Kelly Blue book is ......... 1250.00! But there are 2 1983FJ60's on the Kelly site - one for 4K and one for 11K. Sounds like I'm hosed here. Any suggestions welcome.
thanks
Jay

 

[Doc]

Sit down with the adjuster and explain these things. Show him prices of others in similar condition that are for sale in nearby areas.

MAKE him listen

Or, if that doesnt' work. Buy it back from the insurance company.

 

[cahilc]

I agree with Doc ...

Usually if it's close you can persuade the insurance to fix it. If not "buy back" ...

HTH,
Cahil

 

[87CRUSR]

Absolutley show similar vehicles and and selling prices. One thing about Kelly's blue book, IT DOES NOT REALIZE THE TRUE VALUE OF A TOYOTA LANDCRUISER!

 

[archie]

Show the Insurance adjuster the Vintage Off Road web site and they will see that Land Cruisers are expensive. But DO NOT encourage anybody to buy from them because they have a bad rep.. If you don't believe me do a search.Good Luck.

 

[doctorJ]

good news I think, the actual adjuster came and looked at the left front of the truck and said they would fix it. Farmers considers the value to be 3000; and as long as they spend less than 1/2 they'll fix. They quoted me 400 for the fender. 366 for the inner wheel housing, 60 for the chrome around the locking hub and 60 for a wheel balance and alignment. He siad if the balancing and alignment didn't fix the vibration at highway speed we could talk about axle or differential work. Also allowed 330 dollars for paint and labor. Total 1235.00
I think I'm relieved, but not sure till I get it aligned and the wheel balanced (it used to have weights on it and they were knocked off in the accident).

 

[woody]

Total it and buy it back...cut off the top, trim the tub, and have fun

 

[yodafrick]

I'm with Woody!!!!!!

 

[Landpimp]

they should go with whats on the market for sale in your area.

had our 88 fj62(340,000 miles) totaled last year, we paid $2k for it a year before, they looked at the local market for 62's, thier 1st offer was $8900 and we got the totaled 62 back(so $9400 minus $500 for the buy back)...........ummmm we took the offer Next day a MINT 90 fj62 roll into the parking lot with a for sale sign.......we bought it for $5500

But you need to know if you buy it back, it will have a salvage or rebuilt title at least in WA, I had to send my title in to the state with TOTALED writen on it.

If the insurance agrees to fix it, and the body shop finds more work is needed(once they get into it) then they 1st thought.....the insurance will pick up the rest. In our case they were gonna repair it, but I asked(and paid myself) to have the frame checked out....it was off a bit, once they heard that they totaled it.


From the prices it looks like they are using OEM parts, thats good!

John

 

[gpw-Pat]

well the same thing is going on with my dad right now with his landcruiser. I posted with a similar title. And I need to contact the replys I got about the pillar and some parts. But here is our situation. the body is perfect from the accident except the fender and the pass windshield pillar and that part of the door. the rear rocker needs work also. but The insurance just contaced my dad and told him they are totaling it. but they will give himm 4500 and 4000 with a buy out. I told my dad he should do that and he can pay my brother and I to fix it. we could get it done in a weekend and the next weekend my bro can spray it. Stupid insurance. now to get the parts together I got some work to do. now I wish my dad would take the money buy another one and sell his to me for 500 bucks. then I could fix it and not feel bad about denting it in the backcountry. But the wife told be no more cars 6 is too many. Damn

 

[Corbet]

I had a similiar claim a few years ago. Engine fire. But Farmers came through with $$$. IT was long and hard but I had two LC shops do appraisals for me on the value of my rig. I ended up with $8250 with a $2500 buy back. Just don't agree to settle until you are satisfied. They can't close out the claim until you sign on the line.