Moms car stolen today while at Doctor's office for a checkup...

[ultrarunner]

Would it be worthwhile to hire an independent adjustor?

 

[brt]

Years ago my mom's car was totaled. The insurance company lowballed the offer. I went to the tow yard with the adjuster and pointed out the low mileage, minimal wear and other items that showed that the car was not typical for that model year. I even showed him metal parts without wear on them. She drove it like your mom probably did. I questioned his ability to professionally determine a value and said that I was going to ask the company to send someone out who was qualified. His story changed immediately and offered me a fair price. I guess it was anything to keep me from reporting him.

 

[ultrarunner]

The first number was quite low... lucky for me I had two months of comparables for backup.

My fallback was simply if a similar car is available for the amount offered... we want it!

I guess the other side is what happened to a co-worker last year... her car was in need of expensive engine and transmission work and she was not going to spend the thousands having it done... otherwise, her car looked to be in very good shape.

While parked in front of her home, a drunk hit and totaled it... insurance offered her book value and she couldn't believe her luck.

It seems to be those with well maintained older cars in excellent condition have a much harder time.

Just about all of my cars have stated value policies... if totaled... the amount is fixed and I pay a portion of premium based on the value declared and accepted.

 

[MossRoad]

A lot of car collectors get insurance like that. They decide they want $40K if their car is totaled(regardless of it blue books quit lower), they agree on a price with the insurance company, and they pays their money.

 

[ultrarunner]

Thy collector policy I have comes with certain restrictions... Vehicle 25 years or older, unmodified... i.e. no Chevy engine in a Model T, not used for daily transportation, vehicles being insured for 25k or higher need an appraisal or show history...

I've been fortunate in never having a claim... on the other hand... many have not been on the road for a very long time... still want them insured because you never know... fire, earthquake or flood in California... plus vandals...

 

[mark02tj]

Sad its gone, but glad she's still independent. :thumbsup: Anyone ever tell you you're a good boy? hahahhaaa :laughing:

x2!!

I have to do a lot to take care of my parents too. It's a tough, exhausting job!

 

[PILOON]

Two insurance claims worked out good for me.
One was a 53 Pontiac that was totaled, Insurance kept insisting they needed to see my invoice so I had the adjuster meet me at work.
As I limped to the reception desk I simply stated it was all paid for and he had the option to find me a similar replacement.
I accepted the $600. settlement as the car his client had wrecked had cast me $200!
Might just have helped that at the time I worked for Zurich insurance. LOL

Another was when a bumper fell off of a scrap hauler, bounced all over the place clipped my windshield and scrapped the rt front fender of my MG-B.
The adjuster replaced the windshield new fender and all chrome with no fees to me.
He also was into sports cars.

 

[ultrarunner]

I saw a fence panel fall off a flatbed on the freeway and nearly total a car... the flatbed kept on going... stopped to help the older couple with their grandkids in a new Chrysler minivan... it was pure luck I was able to swerve onto the shoulder and the car behind me did the same... Highway Patrol took my information and said I would be contacted... never was and said I had to drive off... often wonder how that one went down... I did have 5 of the 7 license plate numbers and vehicle description.

My 57 Ford was parked in my driveway and the new neighbor's kid were playing with a slingshot and bam... my tinted rear window was obliterated... I had stated value coverage or 5k on the car and the new window, once I found it was $1600 with gasket and install... their homeowners wanted to total my car!!! I sent them a copy of my Stated Value policy and it changed their mind.

By the way... when I heard the boom... I got out the door just as the kids took off... I chased them a block away into a house and into a bedroom... they denied everything but that didn't hold up because a neighbor saw the whole thing.

 

[ultrarunner]

Need some real advice...

Just returned home and had two messages from the police... first one is they found Mom's car about 10 miles from here and we have 30 minutes to come and get it... since we were away... the second message said it is being towed to a tow yard about 2 miles from home.

I drove down to the yard at 3 am and sure enough it is there! Can't see much in the dark and through the fence.

It was stolen in February and now it is July... after 4 months hoping for recovery... Mom settled with the AAA insurance... she has been with AAA over 50 years and never a claim.

I asked the tow yard if there were any personal items such as picture albums in the car... tow said we can't do anything or remove anything without a police department release and paying the charges which are $650 if paid today...

Put in a call and e-mail to AAA... don't know what we can or can't do... I'm not going to just walk away from the family photo albums and remembrances from Dad's funeral and other personal items even if I have to pay $650 to get it... it's worth it to me to give Mom some comfort... a couple times each week she mentions her car and how Dad wanted her to have it and how it was built just for her.

What I don't want to do have problems with AAA since Mom has cashed their check and signed the Title... if the car is OK... we are happy to give the money back... also the fees keep adding up.

Anyone in insurance or loss recovery that knows how these things work?

Police said we should be there at 8 am to get the release and tow company said all they care about is the release and $650... but now, we no longer have the title....

 

[kc5dlo]

I would just pass the info to the insurance Co.

650.00 for a 12 mile or less tow and 1 day in an impound yard? Sounds like it got stolen a second time!