- Thread starter
- #41
Insurance set up an appraisal for the Cruiser. They need to set a value on it to determine whether or not to total it out.
My 40 was hit tonite
- Thread starter thetoyotaman
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- Thread starter
- #42
The appraisal companies' job is to take pictures in and out and value the rig. My original plan with this rig was to address all things mechanical and electrical prior to doing the body. I was just starting to patch some spots. So, we'll see how that goes over. 
Any update? If you make a well reasoned argument, with supporting data, I don't think USAA will total your truck. That was my experience.
- Thread starter
- #45
I received a copy of the appraisal. I have a few questions about it as it seems a few things are left off. All in all so far they have all been great to work with.
If you don't mind us asking what was the appraisal?
Use this recent 40 sale as a comp when you're arguing with the appraiser over value.
http://www.barrett-jackson.com/application/onlinesubmission/lotdetails.aspx?ln=751&aid=466&pop=0
http://www.barrett-jackson.com/application/onlinesubmission/lotdetails.aspx?ln=751&aid=466&pop=0
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- #48
Wow!
The appraisal company called tonight for a survey of their customer service. We had a discussion about the missing items and they took notes to review and also told me that some things are not on the insurance system so that's why they didn't show up. They told me they need to talk to the body shop, get more pictures probably and then will be able to write a supplement.
The appraisal company called tonight for a survey of their customer service. We had a discussion about the missing items and they took notes to review and also told me that some things are not on the insurance system so that's why they didn't show up. They told me they need to talk to the body shop, get more pictures probably and then will be able to write a supplement.
- Thread starter
- #49
Been very busy this week. Finally got the cruiser in the garage last night to tape up the fog light, put a cheap lens on the turn signal and check the steering. (My wifes car decided to not start the other day. So, we might be forced to limp around in the cruiser.) I had rebuilt all the tie rods and center arm about 3k miles ago. Center arm is hammered and that adjustable joint on the drag link. Does anyone know what that joint is called?
One interesting thing on the appraisal is that they would prefer to replace the front axle with a used one as opposed to rebuilding the one there.
One interesting thing on the appraisal is that they would prefer to replace the front axle with a used one as opposed to rebuilding the one there.
Amen to that , it's likely that front housing is tweaked due to the angle it was hit . I'd make absolutely sure they understand this is a collector vehicle and their owners keep them a long time ...
Sarge
Sarge
Living in the Past
SILVER Star
I would be curious if that would work if your insurance is just a regular policy or worse a liability policy. They could argue if you think it is a collector you would have insured it as one. If you have collector type insurance with a stated value you have no problem getting the other insurance company to honor. If it is not totaled you can ask for diminished value. A 81 and later will have a seventeen digit VIN and this could show up on Carfax showing the accident.
Living in the Past
SILVER Star
I would be curious if that would work if your insurance is just a regular policy or worse a liability policy. They could argue if you think it is a collector you would have insured it as one. If you have collector type insurance with a stated value you have no problem getting the other insurance company to honor. If it is not totaled you can ask for diminished value. A 81 and later will have a seventeen digit VIN and this could show up on Carfax as having a accident.
USAA doesn't offer collector insurance.. they forward you to a 3rd party who says it must be garaged.. only driven so much etc etc... but not everyone has a garage so I don't think they would ever try to argue that
- Thread starter
- #54
Another interesting thing about the appraisal company is that they have only given a damage estimate but have not told me what they have valued the cruiser at to see if they want to total it. The process may be a bit slower since I'm at the mercy of the person at fault's insurance policy.
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- #55
I received a check in the mail this week for the appraisal damage estimate. The body shop is working on a supplement for the items that were missing. I'm going to wait on repairs before all of that is done. Good news though, it appears USAA will not be totaling the vehicle. I'm really excited about this.
I keep reading bad info about insurance on this site. So here's my PSA for the week:
Whether the cruiser is insured as a "collector"or "classic" only matters if you are making a claim on your own policy.
But if someone else is at fault for the wreck, then that person's policy pays for the damage their insured driver caused to your cruiser, and it doesn't matter how you have the car insured.
The only things that matter are (a) how much it will cost to fix the damage, and (b) how much the car is worth. You get paid whichever is less. And you get to prove the worth of your car thru comparable sales, expert appraisals, and the like.
not necessarily true....it depends on which state you live in. If you lived in Michigan, check out the last page of this pdf...
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/cis_ofis_ip202_25083_7.pdf
Michigan is a no-fault insurance state. I am sure there are others. Be careful when you make a blanket statement, because there are always exceptions.
In my experience...not so much. And I was with USAA for almost 20 years before I left.
Thirty years ago USAA only insured US military officers (active duty or retired). Their rates, policy service, and claims handling were without equal in the insurance industry. But they relaxed their standards to increase their rate base and their overall customer service plummeted.
In one experience (not the last) I had to research a "back door" phone number to talk with someone in the Chairman's office to get satisfactory claims service.
That's pretty sad in my book...
bsevans
Focus on the Journey
I'm sorry for you, but that damage is minimal compared to mine. Read the beginning of my ROTW starting at post 3 and see what occurred after the woman that T-Boned my cruiser was found 100% responsible by her insurance company.
ROTW My Yoda
ROTW My Yoda
