I must say, I have had better days

Took me 6 months to find my Low mile Ruby Red Metallic 991.1S and just 90 days later it was totaled by a distracted driver. Car was parked in front of my house and he ran into it doing over 35 MPH* and without even applying his brakes

Now comes the Fun part. The driver accepted 100% blame, was cited and provided his insurance info.

I filed a claim with my insurance so they can handle most of the claim for me and since they assured me (on a recorded line) that my premiums or 17 yr old relationship with them will not be affected by this.

Fast forward to 2 days later and both the adjusters from my company and offender's insurance company are making statements that lead me to one conclusion. No Way they can offer me anything close to what I paid for this 25K mile CPO beauty
I havnt been offered a number yet but things arent positive.

My question to those who have been through this.. Should I hire an attorney?
Have any of you been through this?
Can you share some insight and best practices when dealing with them?

Can you recommend an attorney or law firm? (I understand they may not practice in my state of NC)
I am told i should look for a property damage lawyer as there was no personal injury involved.

 

So I assume you are upside down and have no GAP?

 

Ouch! I'm so sorry. I feel sick looking at that. Can it be repaired with some diminution of value payment maybe? Don't even get me started on distracted drivers!

 

I am not upside down.. But KKB and others list less for the car than what I paid just 90 days ago.. Gap wouldnt help because my loan is obviously less than they will offer. but my "investment" is much higher.

My 110 day old buyer's contract is much higher, than what i expect them to offer (if history is any indication)

hope this makes sense.

 

I personally would not draw premature conclusions. Just because the adjuster is saying things you dont like doesnt mean its final. Let them do their work and see what they come out with. If its in the 1-5K range off, I wouldnt hire an attorney. I would look and find other similar cars and give them the info, they will adjust and rule in your favor.

If its 10k+ off then I would ask them to provide you with documentation of how they came to that conclusion first.

 

IMHO fixing it would be worse than losing a few thousand in pay off/valuation loss.

It would never be the same. both rear and front axles, suspension are destroyed.

 

Sorry to see this, know the price you want to replace car, if they do not offer you enough say just get me the same car, miles, and condition, Period
Your insurance company should fight your battle, if not tell them you are going to get a lawyer and sue them for lawyer cost
Firstly know what repair price is, when and if repaired the car will be at depreciated value.
You may be able to buy the car back and either repair as salvage title and or part-out. Also make sure you know where the car is, in case you want it at your choice of repair shop.
Its an ugly process, hang in there.

 

Ouch, that's a tough spot to be in. I would not want the car back repaired after hits to the axles like that. Have they indicated a willingness to have it totaled?

Unfortunately, what you paid 100 days ago may not have much bearing on what you could replace that car for today - car sales have fallen off a cliff, and no doubt values are going to be impacted by that. Have you done any searches on similar age/mileage cars to see what the market looks like today? At least then you'll have an idea what you should hold out for. You don't have to accept their first offer, or any offer, until you're satisfied.

 

Very sorry to see this. I remember your vehicle when you first posted pictures... beautiful car

Glad you weren't in the car, and the fool was unharmed. Hope things are resolved quick and you find a new beauty!

 

If you bought your car 90 days ago, that should be a very good starting point for the value of the car. The fact that used car values have plummeted lately should not affect you if you play it right with your insurance company. My son's car was totaled on April 4th and I fought to get it totaled since there was structural damage. In the end, 4 weeks later, I cad a call with a manager at my insurance company, and within 30 minutes they agreed to make it a total loss. The value they offered was the higher end of KBB and MUCH higher than current trade-in values.

 

^ Good advice. I'd be firm but polite. First offers are rarely last offers—but they're hoping you'll take that first (or second, or third…) offer. I was rear-ended in my 914 two weeks before Parade in 1995. AAA agent came out of her office and said, "Good news! We've declared your car a total loss and will have the check right out for you." I was thankful that a local Porsche nut knew the ins and outs of AAA. Rejected their offer of $3000, fixed the damage in time for Parade, and still have the car today.

I'd set a goal of being made whole, and get as close as you can. That's what is fair and right, as you obviously had zero fault here. The closer you can get, the better—and the insured's provider should be thanking its lucky stars no one was in your car...and if those kids in the pic were involved in any way, that they are fine (?).

Sorry you have to go through this. I remember your car, too—the color really stood out. Awful to see it like this. I glad you weren't hurt, and hope no one else is. Probably better that I don't get started on distracted drivers...

 

They love to lowball the first go around. If you need manehiem data PM me. They cannot get away with Manheim pricing or below that because retail is much higher plus its CPO so to be made whole it needs to be another CPO car, not something from Dave's Exotic Car lot. Be thankful its totaled because you would not want that back, be equally thankful you or someone you care about was in the car at the time. Also since its 90 days old chase them down for sales tax, yearly tax registration fees (I think NC does that strange value tax thing) Shipping costs because you will not likely find one locally and given the covid situation the fact you have to buy site unseen so a PPI needs to included. Pull all of the CPO cars from Porsche's site that match close to your cars parameters. There shouldn't be more then a dozen or so, flat out tell them the conversation starts here, or their next conversation is with your attorney or NC DOI https://www.ncdoi.gov/ Last thing insurance companies want is inquires from the folks who regulate them. I had to pull a move like that once here in PA and the offending insurance company had quite the 'attitude adjustment' after their brush with the PA equivalent agency.

 

I thought GAP insurance only applies to new car purchases or 2 years older? Cause when I purchased my CPO 991.1s couldn't offer me GAP insurance as it was past 2 years old and wasn't a new car purchase or else they would have added it to my coverage if it was.

 

You should be fine, in cases like this when you are the claimant the insurance company will make you whole. They should consider what you paid and RETAIL value not trade in or wholesale. Good Luck!

 

As others said, be firm and patient. Two things;
1. Insurance managers have KPI (personal performance goals ) and Company goals to close a case. So if you are patient, that will help as the case gets more visibility within company and regional manager.
2. the insurance will sell this car on auction. I see many good bits, transmission, engine, windshield, hood, seats, etc etc. so they will collect 35-45k for this car. So knowing the real cost to the insurance company is only the difference between what they offer you and their sale price, you should be able to get a good value for your car.