Wrecked 914 part 2: The insurance offer, Hold your nose Options

[Dr Evil]

I just got a call from my insurance company. For a 73 914 with an estimated 144,000mi, bucket seats, targa top, power steering, power breaks (IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif)

$4770 with $500 taken away if I keep it for salvage (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/WTF.gif)

I am not accepting this.....time to check my options.

[ConeDodger]

In 2001 I was hit in the right rear by an idiot trying to pass between the lanes on the 580 in Fairfield. He spun me and then tagged the right front on his way by. I spun around probably 4 times before coming to a stop next to the Armco on the inside shoulder. That 240Z was perfect. The engine had not had its first oil change. The car was covered from front to rear with road rash from the rocks that came up as I spun. The impact damage was minor. I drove it home...

I had to get the insurance information from CHP a month after the fact as he was arrested at the scene. Seems he was a little lit up on Friday after work. I called California AAA and asked when I was going to hear from them and they were shocked to find that their insured had been in "another" accident the same day as the last one. Seems he didn't mention either me or the woman he punted through the fence and into the field on the outside of the highway. That woman was cut out of her Camry and airlifted to UCDavis in Sacramento. I guess he told them he spun and hit the gaurdrail. His POS Firebird had already been repaired!

After all of the apologies for the behaviour of their insured and the assurances he was cancelled and would be prosecuted for fraud they dug in...
They offered me $2000 and I could keep the car for $700. Ahhh no. I had an appraisal done just 3 months before the accident and they had placed the value at $14000.00. Well, AAA said, we will have to look into this. They sent an independent appraiser who placed the value at $15000.00. Well, now they were willing to settle for the $14000.00! Ummm no, I said. I will take the $15000.00 from the more recent appraisal and keep the car. They knew they were screwed so they settled.

I am pretty sure that I got another $15000.00 from selling the parts. I know I got $5000.00 for the engine alone and a guy even drove down from Oregon to get it.

They want to settle. The are in fact under pressure at my own insurance company to settle within a fairly short period.

Be reasonable in your manner but steadfast in your intention to get what your car is worth. You are a good deal smarter than the insurance adjuster. As Rick said, most of them are pretty clueless.

PCA Valuation, Excellence November issues, Statements from owners of similar cars.

Glad you weren't hurt... Behave out there Mike. It sounds like black ice to me...