fighting allstate over cars value, help me keep my car Options

[rhodyguy]

Where did this incident happen?

[bradtho]

Where did this incident happen?

just north of greenlake. I was stopped trying to get across 85th, the other driver just plowed right into me. go figure.

[rhodyguy]

no figuring this out. No matter how hard I try.

[mlindner]

Bradtho, I not an expert, but.......there's a statement in all insurance policies that says (THEY HAVE TO MAKE YOU WHOLE), which means what is the real replacement value.......If you tried to buy (replace) your 914 with nothing less than you have...what is that price. Is it 22k or29k. If it is 29k then your good.
I used this over the last 30 years with two small accidents I had...first one was with a Saab (it was totaled) Insurance was only willing to pay $4,500 when it was worth $6,500. To prove this to the insurance company I did all the leg work to find a replacement Saab, same year and miles. Guess what, the price to $6,800. They sent a check for 6,800. The second was last year. My 2000 VW TDI with 400,000 miles was totaled. Insurance again said it was worth 2,000. Yup, high miles but well maintained with new injectors, timing belt, new trans., etc. Showed them replacement cost would be 5,000. I agreed on 4,500 and also removed the new transmission. So, go find a car as nice as yours and use that for leaverage. Best, Mark

[PanelBilly]

I think you need to pull out the BBQ and invite us all over to your place for a wake. Not that the car should be totaled, just as an excuse to stand around and mull over the damages.

[JeffBowlsby]

Looky here:

http://bowlsby.net/914/Classic/RecentSales.htm

[Mike1981]

Sorry to hear this.

My 1st 914 was totaled as well.
I was with Haggerty

I got a check from them for agreed value no problem.

On top of this I was able to buy the car back and the title was re-issued clean not salvaged.

When I asked about it, they responded by saying there is a percentage calculation they conduct and if the damage falls between these two number they can re-issue a clean title

Having the clean title allowed me to sell the damaged car to someone who loved 914 and owned his own shop.

Hope this helps

Mike

[Tom_T]

I got hit recently. the other drivers insurance has accepted full liability (yay!) but now they are trying to declare my car a total loss.

the good news:
- they aren't arguing condition, they are categorizing it excellent
- we're in the ballpark, they are valuing it at about the amount of the repair estimate, $22k

the bad news:
- they still want to total it

I don't want to allow it to be totaled because if I buy it back and repair it and am hit again I figure it really hurts my value for the next claim (which hopefully never happens, but...).

I can find plenty of threads on choosing an insurance provider, but didn't find much on arguing value. So
- any tips/help with establishing value for cars that are in excellent shape?
- any tips/help for strategy on fighting (and winning) with one of the major insurance providers?

I'm looking to collect comps in the $28k+ range (since that's what I need to avoid the total declaration). And yes, I've got the recent $93k car from monterery!

I'm also looking into lawyer options, figuring that can't hurt. Not sure how to go about finding a good lawyer to help with an unusual car value.

any help appreciated.

First of all, you (& they) should be using the Hagerty insurance classic & collector car valuation tool - NOT either KBB nor NADA - which are both BS on anything over 20 years old & especially if collectable.

Look up their website, then print out their chart & definitions to use for your battle, along with the Comps you can find.

Don't hesitate to threaten or use a lawyer if they still waffle at the Hageerty & Comps values!

Also, do not accept them to total it - period.

Good Luck! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
Tom
///////

[SirAndy]

Can't help with the insurance but that can certainly be fixed by a reputable shop with a Celette bench.

There's no way i would accept a total loss on that car ...
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

[Coondog]

My first 914 was also totaled by one illegal alien these another illegal alien how to drive. When it came time to settle with my ins co. I was told that Porsches are not worth as much because it's winter. This was in the early eighties when Auto trader was are internet. I got copies of there Calif editions cut and pasted 10 cars like mine, averaged the high and low and asked for the middle price. I had all this on a large piece of paper. The ins guys jaw hit the floor. I remember him telling me know one had ever done this before. He settled my claim on the spot.

[Coondog]

Also ask for a full repaint and or find a repair shop that will paint the whole car with the ins settlement money.

[bradtho]

Sorry to hear this.

My 1st 914 was totaled as well.
I was with Haggerty

I got a check from them for agreed value no problem.

On top of this I was able to buy the car back and the title was re-issued clean not salvaged.

When I asked about it, they responded by saying there is a percentage calculation they conduct and if the damage falls between these two number they can re-issue a clean title

Having the clean title allowed me to sell the damaged car to someone who loved 914 and owned his own shop.

Hope this helps

Mike

thanks Mike, was this in Michigan? the titling issues are part of what I'm having a hard time learning about, probably since it varies from state to state.

[bradtho]

First of all, you (& they) should be using the Hagerty insurance classic & collector car valuation tool - NOT either KBB nor NADA - which are both BS on anything over 20 years old & especially if collectable.

I was actually surprised to see the NADA values higher than hagerty, so as always, it pays to shop around.

[horizontally-opposed]

I got hit recently. the other drivers insurance has accepted full liability (yay!) but now they are trying to declare my car a total loss.

the good news:
- they aren't arguing condition, they are categorizing it excellent
- we're in the ballpark, they are valuing it at about the amount of the repair estimate, $22k

the bad news:
- they still want to total it

I don't want to allow it to be totaled because if I buy it back and repair it and am hit again I figure it really hurts my value for the next claim (which hopefully never happens, but...).

I can find plenty of threads on choosing an insurance provider, but didn't find much on arguing value. So
- any tips/help with establishing value for cars that are in excellent shape?
- any tips/help for strategy on fighting (and winning) with one of the major insurance providers?

I'm looking to collect comps in the $28k+ range (since that's what I need to avoid the total declaration). And yes, I've got the recent $93k car from monterery!

I'm also looking into lawyer options, figuring that can't hurt. Not sure how to go about finding a good lawyer to help with an unusual car value.

any help appreciated.

Is that car a six? Or a conversion? It sure looks not just excellent, but exceptional.

It also makes me think of this as a legitimate comp:
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1975-porsche-914-6-gt/

Your car actually looks nicer, and that's sayin' something in this case. Definitely do not accept your car being totaled. Seems like $35-55k is the current range for really good six conversions, which makes some sense given that top examples of the 914-6 have been trading for $85-130k.

[bradtho]

thanks Pete. the car is still a 1.7. I have a 3.2 and all the fixin's all ready to go in, but it isn't in yet.

[KELTY360]

Brad - If you want more info on John, give me a call - Four-two-five.235.8383. He's a good guy to have in your corner and way cheaper than a lawyer. He's got all the sources for establishing value and the insurance companies don't like to see him coming.

[EdwardBlume]

OK - $22K Excellent Condition... for a stock car.....

Plus

15 x 7 911 Fuch Wheels $2,000
Full 911 Suspension - $4,000
Metallic Paint and ClearCoat - $5000
Plus
Plus
Plus

you get the idea...


Don't want to value the parts? OK, I'll take $22K plus the car as is. If there's no decision in 48 hours, I'll hand the matter over to legal counsel and not return any phone calls.

[EdwardBlume]

OK - $22K Excellent Condition... for a stock car.....

Plus

15 x 7 911 Fuch Wheels $2,000
Full 911 Suspension - $4,000
Metallic Paint and ClearCoat - $5000
Plus
Plus
Plus

you get the idea...


Don't want to value the parts? OK, I'll take $22K plus the car as is. If there's no decision in 48 hours, I'll hand the matter over to legal counsel and not return any phone calls.

And my neck kind of hurts now...

[scott_in_nh]

Next classic car only go with Agreed Value insurance. Haggerty, American Classic, Grundy, etc, then you won't have to go this route.

thanks Rick. problem is that it's my daily driver. I haven't been able to find any agreed value policies that will take a DD.

Grundy is no mileage restrictions. Come on man

Nothing against Grundy, I would have gone with them, but they do have restrictions including no daily drivers.

"Like any other vintage car insurance provider, Grundy has some restrictions. Your car must be stored inside a locked garage when not in use; you must have a daily driver vehicle for each licensed driver in your household in addition to the classic vehicle; and the car must be in excellent condition. The vehicle should only be used for collector activities, but one feature that sets Grundy apart from many other classic antique auto insurance providers is that they do not have a mileage limitation. Many antique classic car insurance companies have limits ranging from 1,000 miles up to 6,000 miles per year, but with Grundy Nationwide you can drive the car to as many distant car shows as you like without worrying about exceeding a yearly mileage limit."


Grundy Classic Car Insurance – A Review of Their Benefits and Restrictions

[Intubator]

Try contacting your state's Insurance commission and tell them you're not getting a full value settlement offer for your loss. This may work before committing to the expense of an attorney. I had to do this very thing myself for 68 911 I restored and unfortunately was totaled in an accident when I let a friend drive it... The ins co offered me a low ball offer and after going back and forth with them for about two weeks I contacted the commission and then after also writing a letter to them with details on the condition with comp values, the insurance company offered me the fair market value two weeks later. I ultimately negotiated $1000 less in the settlement to be able to keep the wreckage and I sold parts for four years after.