Total Loss Claim and Reckless Driver

[fed up]

A new question. My insurance carrier finally stepped up to the plate but has not come out to see my vehicle - will do everything only with photos. They have determined my vehicle can be fixed. The other carrier said the vehicle is totaled (and spent 2 hours with my SO looking at the vehicle in person). If I have to go out and buy a newer version of my current truck (4-5 years old, similar model) it will cost me $25-30K out of pocket. So there is interest in fixing this one. It will save me a lot of money and I liked my truck and it had a lot of life left in it. What is the risk? And is there a way to recover my $500 deductible from the other carrier since their client caused the accident or do I just have to eat that if my own carrier makes the repair?

USAA will subrogate against the other carrier. You will pay the deductible, they fix the truck. Subrogation means that USAA will file a claim against the other carrier, submit the bills they have paid and expect to be reimbursed for which includes your deductible. Once USAA gets paid, you get your deductible back so long as all bills are paid in full by the other carrier.
The risk is that once USAA starts repairing the truck they could find additional damage which pushes the repair past the 'TOTAL' threshold and they stop fixing the truck. You can opt to complete the repairs and pay the difference but the vehicle will be marked with a 'SALVAGE' title.

 

[Holden]

Another question related to my claim. My insurance carrier who viewed my claim via photo (they refuse to come out and see my vehicle in person due to Covid) says that the truck is not totaled. This is my question. If I decide to try and repair my vehicle (I had a unicorn that in my mind is worth repairing) and they find something else that would drive the cost beyond the "totaled" cost of the vehicle, what happens then? Do I then get a "salvage" title or is it possible to try and repair my truck even if something comes up that pushes it beyond the "totaled" limit? Can I get a clear title to my truck even I have to pay for repairs out of pocket beyond what my insurance company is willing to pay?

 

[fed up]

Once they deem it to be totaled they will inform your DMV. Your title gets branded as a total or a salvage rebuild

 

[Holden]

One new question for this forum. The insurance company has made us an offer for my totaled truck. We have totally declined the offer. It is very low. They just refuse. We have provided detailed comps of trucks not as nice as they one I had for $4 to 10K more than their offer. This is just ridiculous. My insurance company does not seem to be working during Covid. It's pretty clear that the work at home model is not effective. You can rarely reach anyone. For that reason we chose to deal with the other company. What else can I do? I can hire an appraiser for $1500. But that is no guarantee that this will make a difference and I am already out tens of thousands of dollars already.

 

[fed up]

What is the year, make, and model of your truck?

 

[fed up]

And what was the offer? Were you driving? Did you see a doctor after getting hit?

 

[adjusterjack]

For that reason we chose to deal with the other company.

The other driver's insurance company is not your insurance company and has no obligation to you until a court of law says its driver is responsible and for how much. You will need to sue the other driver if you don't want to use your collision coverage. If you hire an appraiser for $1500 it will be a waste of money if you don't sue. If you do sue you will need that appraiser to testify in court.

You would be wise to use your own collision coverage with your own insurance company no matter how inconvenient it is. Your own company has a contractual obligation to you.

You are free to get some estimates from repair shops and provide your comps to your own insurance company.

It would be foolish to keep banging your head against the wall with the other driver's insurance company. Even more foolish to spend money on the claim, money that you wouldn't get back.

 

[fed up]

One new question for this forum. The insurance company has made us an offer for my totaled truck. We have totally declined the offer. It is very low.

Holden, I've reached out twice in order to get more information. Just for giggles let's say that you had a 2000 F350 Super cab with an 8 ft bed and 200K miles and it runs like a top. It had a trade-in value of 3500-5500, with a retail on the high end of $8000. To replace it would cost 50-60000. Neither insurance company is going to come close to placing you back on the road without you kicking in a huge amount of money. It is never about how much the vehicle meant to you, it is about how much it is worth in dollars. My only advice is to call your carrier, do not leave a message for a call back, tell whomever answers that you will wait for someone to pick up, and then wait. When you get someone ask about why there has been no offer from your carrier and who you can be transferred to in order to get your questions answered

 

[Holden]

Fed Up. My model is a 2006 Ram 3500 Dually Diesel with 130K miles.One owner, pristine condition. Very light towing use (was a family vehicle not a work vehicle). Leather interior, all the bells and whistles in that model - bedliner, 3rd wheel hitch. Comps range from $25-30K. Offered $21K. They will not budge.

 

[fed up]

Kelly and TRuCar list the trade in and private value of between $17K and 22K with the mileage you state. No insurance company is going to give you the value that the truck is to you and you will be looking at between 50-60K to replace it as new. There a a few available near northern Virginia with less miles and newer (2010) that will set you back an additional 10K but that is not what the insurance company looks at when placing a price on a totaled vehicle. You might do a bit better with USAA but neither of them will look at the retail cost of replacing the vehicle. I would not dig in too deep. I would ask USAA to make an offer on the vehicle and accept the higher of the two. And then go shopping. Did you need any medical attention after the accident? There could be a pain and suffering award in addition to the cost of the vehicle