Short story, my RX7 was vandalized badly. The whole body was keyed, tailights keyed, fenders were kicked in, scoot c/f hood keyed, original cwest bumper was ripped off and bashed. I don't have any type of special insurance besides full coverage. I have insurance through Country Companies.

My estimate was around 5G. That's not covering the new C/F Scoot hood or a new original cwest bumper. The estimate was to paint the damaged hood, replace with oem bumper skin, new tail lights and paint the whole car.

I'm thinking that the insurance company is going to try and hold out on me. Anyone know of my rights to "get the job done right"?

 

someone must be mad at you again.

it took my insurance at the time (farmers) nearly a year to finally pay it out when they towed it to the wrong part of LA and left it on the street instead of dropping it off at Tripoint. My car was missing for two days and finally was found coverend in scratches on the doors and ruined window tint from attempted theft. It was their fault for delivering it to the wrong location. They still took a year to pay. I spent hours on the phone and wrote a few letters but eventually it got done.

the info you need is in the insurance paperwork you signed. read all the info on why they can deny the claim. make sure none of those reasons are valid with your vehicle. get paid.

 

I just don't want them to stick me with some second rate earl scheib paint job. I don't think the estimate is unreasonable.

 

In most states you can take the car to the shop of your choice. If you think the estimate is fair, and you've picked the shop and they're willing to do it for the price, I'm not quite sure what your concern is.
In my experience, it's not unusual that they won't cover the aftermarket parts. unless there was some specific rider, but check your policy and/or talk to your agent. In any event, sorry to hear about your car.

 

I'd like to go into this situation on the offensive. I've heard of people getting screwed by their insurance companies. They told me to pick my choice of body shop.

 

read your policy many insurance companies reserve the right to use "used or aftermarket" parts. and they may only allow you a choice of a couple of body shops. sorry about the car

 

I understand. Everyone has a horror story with insurance companies, including me. But there's a difference between being cynical and being aware. That's why I suggested studying your policy and talking with your agent. Within the limits of the policy, they have an obligation to you. It's likely the insurance check will require your endorsement AND the shops to cash. That's to protect you and the shop. You sign it when the car's finished to your satisfaction and you get the car. Then they sign it to get paid. Good luck.

 

Check the laws in your state. I believe that you have the right to hire your own licensed adjuster.

 

My policy says that if there is a dissagreement then we'll use a 3rd party adjuster.

Anyone have experience with this?

 

if you didnt do/pay for the modification to you car yourself and they came with the car when you bought it they should cover it. If you did do it yourself then ur screwed unless you told them about the modifications and they adjusted you premium accordingly.
If you tell them you bought the car with all that (lie or not) and that they never asked if anything was changed or modified and never took pictures of your car for their record then you have a case!!! so dont give up. I got robbed a in dash monitor and fought for a month doing paper work and sending police reports and signing notarize d photographs of the monitor and crazy **** but eventually they paid for a (much better) indash dvd player. Just keep calling and hassling and dont give up.

 

Someone broke into my garage and ripped out my stereo and multidue of other things totalling around 2k in loss and damanges.

Took them maybe no more than 2 weeks to pay out and it would have been even shorter if my adjuster wasn't on vacation.

21st Century.

 

I figure that the autobody guy can call my scratched c/f hood "non fixable" along with my original cwest bumper. If they would cut me a check for a new mazda hood and bumper skin I would be in good shape. I just don't want them to stick me with some junk yard tail lights etc.. parts etc.. and a shitty paint job. I think I deserve a show quality paint job since that's what I originally had.

 

There has got to be a way to get the money deserved. Crashunit got all kinds of money so he was able to widebody his car with a 8K paint job.

 

this makes me ill

 

The insurance company will often do this. On one hand, it protects them from stupid people making false or exaggerated claims. On the other hand, it cheats everyone else.

Just run a search in here - people have put up very good information about how to pinch a stubborn insurance provider. The short story is that working by mail and persistence pays off, but it takes a long time.

Dave

 

I had a similar problem with another insurance company. First, talk to the insurance company and spell it out for them. Do it with concrete estimates from YOUR body shop and YOUR estimater (sp?). Not just your body shop, get an estimater or see if someone in you body shop is a liscenced estimater. Then make them commit to the complete repair of the car. Get the name(s) of the people you talk to and their immediate supervisors names. Then, call the state insurance regulater and tell them the story. This should get everything rolling along rather quickly.

 

Trust me, I search before making threads. I found nothing.

 

I believe it, but I remember reading some really in-depth stuff before. I'll see if I can find it.

Here's one:
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...stimate+damage
You might try emailing McCreary for suggestions.
another
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...stimate+damage

and I'm sure there is more info in the lounge.

Dave

 

I worked 25 years as an insurance agent; "going on the offensive" won't get you anywhere, except the bottom of the adjuster's file. The company has the right to use used parts, if they're available and in the same shape as your damaged part (your tailights were used). They only have to put you back to where you were before the loss. They will pay for an equivalent paint job, show them your original receipts. They have the right to depreciate the paint job, but that's hardly ever done, except for claimants that go on the offensive
Most companies have riders for custom equipment or stated amount- most insureds don't want to tell their agent about these extras, because they don't want to pay extra. Funny how who is doing the paying will change one's perspective.

 

Do you have "Comprehensive" benefits on the Policy?? This optional coverage is for loss to your vehicle by theft, fire, rain, hail, animals, fights flying objects or any other means specified in the insurance contract. If so, then this is how it will probably work when the claim is set-up and assigned to an adjuster ......

Example:

Initial $5000.00 Cost Of Repair Estimate - from independent body shop

$4200.00 Cost of Repair Estimate from Insurance Adjuster (depreciation and used parts)
$500.00 Insurance Policy Deductible (or whatever amount applicable to your Policy)

You would receive an Insurance Check for $3,700.00

Also, if you have Rental benefits, your Carrier will authorize for you to rent a vehicle for the time it will take to repair your car. The Insurance Company will usually only authorize $20.00 per day for a rental.

The above is only an example on how the process typically works.
BTW, The Carrier will usually require a Police Report of the incident for the Comprehensive benefit to kick in. Specially if Theft, Fire or Vandalism has occured.
Good Luck.

 

dp Sorry.

 

I have comprehensive, yes. The full deal. I also only have a $100 deductible. I've also got my police report, although the police refused to take finger prints. The police took many photos as well.

Any other advice?

 

My sisters audi got smashed up pretty good. We called the dealer and priced out replacement parts. It turns out going aftermarket was much cheeper

I called the insurance company and explained this, and they covered a turbo back exhaust, front facia, smoked tails, etc...They were happy too because they saved money.

I'm sure if you give mazda a call and price out body parts it will be super expensive...

 

Looks like you're in great shape.

Remember, the adjuster is there to help you get your car repaired and back to you asap. But,.......at an amount that's less costly to the Carrier!

If there's a dispute between the independent appraised amount, and the amount appraised by the assigned Adjuster, the Carrier usually wins!

If the repair work is unsatisfactory or falls below minimal standards, you'll have to duke it out with the Shop. The Carrier will not get involved. So pick a good shop with a good reputation.

Good Luck.

 

Did your car get vandalized right in front of your house?