SharkFan

By the way did u say force them to make my car whole or fix the whole car....lol i wish

Andre Hedrick

Include recovery of value reduction because of the collision, as part of making you whole. Many people forget about this data point.

928 at last

I have to start hanging around EBay more often then!....When I was looking they were scarce.

SharkFan

Hey Andre, how would one estimate value loss?

Jerry Feather

I am currently involved in a settlement dispute with State Farm over damage to my F250 in January caused by their insured. I originally guesstimated my diminished value at 2500 to 5000 and offered to settle for the lesser of these two amounts. However, they said that they would not consider diminished value until after the repair was done and then only if I had it appraised by an independent appraiser.

They said I could find an appraiser in the yellow pages, which I did. He looked the truck over carefully and pointed out in his report all of the indicators that damage had occurred and then said that there is no real formula for determining the diminished value but suggested that a common method is to relate it to the difference between the "blue book" value at full retail and at the lowest wholesale or trade in value.

The appraisal cost me $100.

For me the appraiser came up with just over $7000 to just over $5000 based on two different published values for my kind of truck. I told State Farm I would take the higher amount since they put me to all the trouble. They said that since the truck was already 4 years old they could only allow me $500 for diminished value.

So far, after over three months, they had only paid for the towing at $130. And they never respond to any of my written settlement proposals, even with a phone call.

I'm going to file my law suit later this morning and we will let the jury decide what I am entitled to.

I am also going to cancel my own State Farm insurance on my rental property.

Jerry Feather

Jerry Feather

finally!

In my experience, very similar to Jerry's, state farm is THE WORST at claims adjudication, especially when more than one insurance company is involved

SharkFan

Holy cow Jerry i just felt all those warm fuzzys about going smooth go out the window. Well state farm doesn't have a dog in this one.....but not sure how this one is going to work out. I just left their shop of choice with a 1k est. Based on some flimsy stuff. No beading mentioned some used parts dealer telling him that a tail light is showing for $115. But that doesnt mean that it is really there according to him and that the est. could go up once the repair is started. He also said that the dent in the cover could be repaired with something besides filler. When i told him i would not accept any type of filler or sub and that if it could not be brought back to straight then i would want it replaced with a new or a like new used item and he stated that the insurance co would only have them fix it, but said that the new cover was $2k. And he told me that the cover had already been repaired before and then showed me how he came to this conclusion. He showed me where you can see that it had been sanded on where the paint had chipped off. I said well thay sanded before painting and said that was a repair which is why the insurance company will only pay for a repair.......i will let u know what my choice of shops come up with.

Thanks all

SharkFan

Hello All,

Since everyone has been so helpful, I thought I would pass along the update that I finally received today.

I had been put on hold because the 15yo driver would not make contact with the Liberty Mutual to give them a statement. They said that they had to give her 30 days and if she didn't respond within 30 days, then they would just go based on my statement. Well, here we are just 5 days shy of the 30 and she finally made contact and admitted full responsibility.

During this waiting period, I have gotten 2 estimates. One from Liberty's choice of shops and one from my choice. Their shop was completely unreasonable in my opinion. The guy at their shop had no idea of where to find parts. I actually gave him 928 Int.'s #, but he choose to call a salvage yard that said he found a tail light on the wire for $115 and it may or may not actually be available. He said he would just fix the dented bumper cover. I stated that I was willing to accept a used cover, but I did not want patches or filler. He said that they have flexible material that would work. So, I ended up with a $1k quote that included a lowball figure for 1 used tail light that may or may not actually be there, a patched and repaired bumper cover and a repaint of the cover.

When I went to the shop of my choice, which handles Brumos work here in town. I walked away with a quote of $3500 which included a new bumper cover that Brumos said is in PA and a New Tail Light, paint and lettering.

I received a voicemail today stating that the insured had excepted full responsibility and they had received the quote from their shop and I should receive my check for $1k in the mail in 5-7 days.

Helppppppp

I am not trying to screw anyone or take advantage of an insurance company, I would just like a fair settlement. So, considering that this is the first time I have been involved in a situation like this, can anyone offer any advise of the steps to take from here. The biggest thing that is bothering me is, I just don't want a patch on the bumper cover, it may have had a cheap paint job on it, but it was straight. I don't expect them to buy new parts from Porsche, but is it reasonable to want at least a used straight bumper and the cost of a tail light that confirmed in stock at $xxx price. I was actually thinking $2500 would be a fair settlement considering rental car, parts, labor and accident on history.

Anyways, what the heck do I do now that they are sending the check. Obviously don't cash check, if I'm not satisfied with amount?

Thanks to all wisdom

Speedtoys

For now, just call them and say that you dont accept that settlement, and ignore any check they send. Tell them that their repair shop proved incapable of an acceptable repair on a Porsche, and yours is well prepared and knowledgeable on this type of vehicle.

The matter wont be closed, until -a- check is cashed, no matter what they say.

Thats round 1.

bcdavis

Also, regarding the tail light, new tail lights look very different from used ones.
Used ones get swirls and fading from car washes, sunlight, etc. If you get one
new one, and the used on on the other side, they won't match. So either get
a used tail light, or two new ones.

SharkFan

Thanks Jeff, Sorta what I was thinking, but its nice to have a vocabulary to go with the thinking.

SharkFan

I didn't think of that bc, I do mind the used tail light, I just don't want to be paid an unrealistic figure on a tail light based on if they had it. I would rather be paid on a tail light based on a price from someone that says yes I have it in stock and can ship it tommorow.

Thanks

slate blue

Another alternative and I am not suggesting $1000 is fair either is to buy a second hand one or two new and then have the bar walnut shell blasted and put under some heat lamps if you have one or some and then get the bar painted properly. The bar can be repaired if the time and effort is spent.

The repairer or painter should plastic prime, then prime it with softface the Glasurit flex add or another good brand and then colour and then the clear again with the flex add. You would normally use around 25% flex add in these bars.

outbackgeorgia

Thought FL was a "no fault" state where your insurance company pays no matter who is at fault.
Just asking.
Dave
87 S4

SharkFan

Hey Slate if it comes down to it that is what I will do. as far as the flex additive goes. The shop I choose was the only one to mention this additive.

Honestly outback, I don't know the exact rules of fl, but in this instance, my car was parked and she backed into me.