I ended up with hail damage on my '84 SE a few weeks ago. The car has been fully restored. I have $3400 in paint and body alone not including replaced panels or my time. The car will require a full paint at a cost of $3500. The insurance company is threatening to total the car, I'll not know for sure for a few more days. I want to stay ahead of the game.

I'm looking for links to cars that have sold in the last few years for higher prices. Preferably in the $10k plus range. Any help would be much appreciated. I really hope it doesn't come down to this but I'm not keeping my hopes up.

Link for my car build is below as well as my full build on my blog.

Thanks, Chris

 

I just spoke with the insurance and they are saying my car is a total loss and they are valuing it at $2100.

I'm hoping this isn't going to be a long process.

 

You're in for a fight. Without a special insurance policy based on valuation, they are going off of Blue, Black, and NADA pricing. eBay past auctions is a far place to get current values. They only let you go back so far though. Other than this, you would need to show receipts of work done or material cost. They won’t count your labor. Good luck.

 

That's awful, Chris. Do you have receipts?

I'll do a search for recent sales tonight.

 

I do have receipts. My total cost not including my labor is over $11,000.

 

Hey if you have reciepts make copies of them and send them to the company they should honor them just keep your original copies.

 

I will get on that, I do have them all.

 

11 grand in parts? Holy crap.

 

11 grand total in the car. I have 3400 in paint and body plus about 200 or so in body parts.

 

This one of the reasons why i have a classic insurance via hagerty on my two RX-3

 

Damn man that sucks. Unfortunately though, as the other have said, without classic insurance, or at least an "agreed upon amount" type of coverage you're going to have a very tough time getting them to pay for a new paint job. It's cold, but they really will not care what you've spent on the car, to them it's just an old car that is worth $XXX because their guide book says it is.

I have been in insurance for close to a decade now so I know this all too well. Even with agreed upon value on your policy that doesn't necessarily hold the company to that exact figure. They can still come back and say that the vehicle is only worth such and such price and then pay you that anyway. Legal robbery... gotta love it.

Anyway, best of luck to you, NJ is notoriously tough for Auto insurance, maybe they'll be more lenient out there!

 

That's exactly what my dad says!

I'm sorry man, I know this must suck for you beyond words. I hope you are able to get it all resolved

 

Seems like hagerty classic car had a price guide on their site. print it out and gather ALL ur receipts. U could buy it back from them if it is totaled.

Sent from my iPad using RX7Club. how bout that!

 

well, if they total it, i suppose you have a good start point for a new project....or you can think of it as dimpled....like a golf ball....you know, it reduces drag..... maybe.

sorry about you luck on this

 

I got this email this morning and it sounds promising:

"Chris

Thank you for all the information. It was very helpful. I submitted everything to my supervisor yesterday with my recommendation that we pay the repair cost of your RX-7. As soon as I hear from her I will let you know the outcome. Thanks again for your help!"

I'll keep everyone posted.

 

Awesome!!! I hope it comes through!

 

Negotiation is the art of making the other person want to thank you for calling them a liar and thief to their face.

 

haha DD.

I have really good news. The car will be fixed. After some back and forth we settled on a value of somewhere between $9500 and $15000.

They are replacing the front bumper, all window trim, plus a few small pieces. Full repaint of the car. Total cost of $4249.99 minus the deductible.

Now I just need to find a shop that fits my needs.

 

WOW! What a turnaround. What did you say/do to change their minds, besides just sending receipts and whatnot?

Congrats!

 

What helped a lot was the blog that shows everything I've ever done to the car with pictures. I'm sure it didn't hurt that I said that I run the Colorado Mazda Club (true statement).

I sent them links to cars that have sold or are for sale between $7500 and $18000.

 

Congrats. Saved it twice!!

 

Nice work. I've got both mine insured at stated value instead of blue book. The little extra monthly is worth the peace of mind.

 

Love stories with happy endings!
congrats Chris - tho I suspect the best story would've been that this never happened.
Shot across the Bow to all of us on how we have our Toys insured. Or not...

Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska

 

This information might help others that have a similar situation in the future. Maybe post the links to these cars so we will have it when needed.

 

Nice work, You took that $15k right?? In WA they don't even salvage the title on old cars like RX7s