wow...this broke my heart...

PPiechocki · 11-20-2009, 01:23 AM

i rebuilt an '85 NA that i bought for $800. it was white smoking really bad, so i had the engine rebuilt. well, within 3 months of getting the car, i had 3 grand into it. after the motor install, it wasn't getting fuel, so i'd pump fuel into the intake and get it running sitting still. i was so happy. i pushed it out of the shop yesterday and my auto shop teacher backed over the driver's side. it's been declared totalled, and i have to sue his insurance company for what i have in the car, because they're only going to pay $600.... i was crushed...

scottohno · 11-20-2009, 01:50 AM

where the hell did u park? or was he just an idiot?

PPiechocki · 11-20-2009, 02:01 AM

he had to back up and extra 40 feet to hit it. when the cop filed the report, he had to look into it being deliberate

Josh87 · 11-20-2009, 02:05 AM

Wow that sucks, good luck with the insurance company. Where do you go to school?

PPiechocki · 11-20-2009, 02:17 AM

Middle Park High School in Granby, CO

Patron022 · 11-20-2009, 01:03 PM

Hope you get more $.. tell em that your heart is broke and it will only get fixed with $. You should drop them a tear or two.

Ku-sama · 11-20-2009, 01:06 PM

take receipts to the insurance.

IDon'tKnow · 11-20-2009, 01:30 PM

I had something similar happen to me. I was at a stoplight one day and it was raining when I got seriously rear ended by a Ford Taurus. Her brakes where locked up but she probably hit me going at least 30mph.

That car was a EF Civic HB. I had close to $7k in that car and the insurance company tried to give me $800 on their first offer, $1400 on their second, and then $3000 for their third. The problem with taking receipts to an insurance company is that they don't care what you have in the car, they only care about the cars marketable value in your area.

Call a local lawyer and ask about your states rules of evidence for small claims court. I know that here in Alabama there are no rules of evidence for claims under $10k.... which basically means that the judge will listen to your story and make a decision without your having to comply with complicated evidence rules. If you live in a state with a high number, like $10k - $3k should be sufficient for you -, the insurance company is much more likely to feel very threatened when you talk about the possibility of suing them. Don't tell them you are going to sue them, tell them you are going to take them to small claims court - the latter sound much less like an emotional response which claims agents are trained to ignore. They don't want to have to pay court costs and attorneys fees to defend against your allegations so it's usually in their best interest to meet your demands; it's going to cost them $3k either way - maybe more to go to court. Don't pull the lawsuit card right away, play hardball with them first. Most people say that it is good advice to reject the first two offers and accept the third.

If their third offer isn't up to snuff then you'll want to get a higher-up's info and send him a letter or email threatening a lawsuit..... give him a deadline to work within... i.e. "If you don't settle this for this amount before this Friday, I'll be filing a small claims suit against your company on Monday."

Also be sure the negotiation terms specify that you get to keep the wrecked vehicle.

muffinman · 11-20-2009, 01:40 PM

sorry to hear

do you have any pics of the damage? maybe you could buy it back from the insurance and fix it yourself if it's not too bad.

IDon'tKnow · 11-20-2009, 01:45 PM

I'm sure that those of us with parts cars will be as charitable as we can in helping you get the things you need.

Ashmen · 11-20-2009, 04:40 PM

He backed over the drivers side? What was he driving?

PPiechocki · 11-20-2009, 09:22 PM

a Chevy Duramax.

toyotaspeed90 · 11-21-2009, 10:28 AM

something to think about.... if your teacher was on the clock at work -- his insurance may be paying so little because the school might be liable

hellbillylarry · 11-24-2009, 06:11 PM

This is BS they owe you at least 2500 bucks, KBB classic car value is like 2800. DO NOT back down on this. I got 3500 bucks for my totaled mk1. And I got them for 5 days of rental.

You deserve KBB value for a good condition car. It is the insurance adjusters job to give you less than you deserve. They are snakes do not let them f*** you on this, please. No need to sue them just agree to anything less than what you want. You'll get it they are not going to go to court over 2 grand.

Get at least 2500 and buy your car back for 200 or so. Buy another mk1 with a bad engine, swap the rebuilt engine and whatever else from the wrecked one and use the leftover cash for a set of STs and Konis and all the rest of the cool suspension goodies Two's r us sells.

I now have a 20v swapped mk1 since my other car got wrecked and I'm not out a dime out of pocket.

PPiechocki · 11-27-2009, 01:16 AM

talked to the insurance company... they're dumping it at a salvage yard 2 miles outta town to get crushed. and he wasn't on the clock when he did it. and this car's value is at less than $1,000 due to the original condition before all of my work

328FTW · 11-27-2009, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PPiechocki

talked to the insurance company... they're dumping it at a salvage yard 2 miles outta town to get crushed. and he wasn't on the clock when he did it. and this car's value is at less than $1,000 due to the original condition before all of my work

That is bullsh** do what others have said with small claims etc and make a big deal otherwise you will land up feeling worse.

Also if someone dumped my car at salvage I would steal it back........serious face here I would jack my car back, hide it and tell them to go stick it they can't prove it was taken back. I hate insurance that tries to screw you.

MR JAS · 11-27-2009, 01:33 PM

i know for certain in nz (not sure about usa) if someone elses insurance pays out on your car they cannot take ownership like your own insurance company will check this you should still own the car

PPiechocki · 11-27-2009, 10:17 PM

my claim is too big for small claims. i hired a lawyer yesterday. well, actually, i cashed in a favor he owed me. best damn lawyer in the county. he's not gonna charge me

MR JAS · 11-27-2009, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PPiechocki

my claim is too big for small claims. i hired a lawyer yesterday. well, actually, i cashed in a favor he owed me. best damn lawyer in the county. he's not gonna charge me

denny crane helps the little man

PPiechocki · 11-27-2009, 10:27 PM

11-20-2009, 01:23 AM	#1 (permalink)
PPiechocki Some Skills Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Granby, CO Posts: 51 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	wow...this broke my heart... i rebuilt an '85 NA that i bought for $800. it was white smoking really bad, so i had the engine rebuilt. well, within 3 months of getting the car, i had 3 grand into it. after the motor install, it wasn't getting fuel, so i'd pump fuel into the intake and get it running sitting still. i was so happy. i pushed it out of the shop yesterday and my auto shop teacher backed over the driver's side. it's been declared totalled, and i have to sue his insurance company for what i have in the car, because they're only going to pay $600.... i was crushed...

11-27-2009, 10:27 PM	#20 (permalink)
PPiechocki Some Skills Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Granby, CO Posts: 51 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	who?

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11-20-2009, 01:50 AM	#2 (permalink)
scottohno Master Debater Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Orland Park, IL Posts: 503 Thanks: 11 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	where the hell did u park? or was he just an idiot?

11-20-2009, 02:01 AM	#3 (permalink)
PPiechocki Some Skills Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Granby, CO Posts: 51 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	he had to back up and extra 40 feet to hit it. when the cop filed the report, he had to look into it being deliberate

11-20-2009, 02:05 AM	#4 (permalink)
Josh87 Jabberwocky Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 30 Thanks: 6 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Wow that sucks, good luck with the insurance company. Where do you go to school?

11-20-2009, 02:17 AM	#5 (permalink)
PPiechocki Some Skills Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Granby, CO Posts: 51 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Middle Park High School in Granby, CO

11-20-2009, 01:03 PM	#6 (permalink)
Patron022 MR2 Fan Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 78 Thanks: 2 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Hope you get more $.. tell em that your heart is broke and it will only get fixed with $. You should drop them a tear or two.

11-20-2009, 01:06 PM	#7 (permalink)
Ku-sama Cage Fighter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Germantown, MD Posts: 1,590 Thanks: 8 Thanked 41 Times in 39 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (3/100% )	take receipts to the insurance.

11-20-2009, 01:30 PM	#8 (permalink)
IDon'tKnow but I can find out. Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 176 Thanks: 4 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	I had something similar happen to me. I was at a stoplight one day and it was raining when I got seriously rear ended by a Ford Taurus. Her brakes where locked up but she probably hit me going at least 30mph. That car was a EF Civic HB. I had close to $7k in that car and the insurance company tried to give me $800 on their first offer, $1400 on their second, and then $3000 for their third. The problem with taking receipts to an insurance company is that they don't care what you have in the car, they only care about the cars marketable value in your area. Call a local lawyer and ask about your states rules of evidence for small claims court. I know that here in Alabama there are no rules of evidence for claims under $10k.... which basically means that the judge will listen to your story and make a decision without your having to comply with complicated evidence rules. If you live in a state with a high number, like $10k - $3k should be sufficient for you -, the insurance company is much more likely to feel very threatened when you talk about the possibility of suing them. Don't tell them you are going to sue them, tell them you are going to take them to small claims court - the latter sound much less like an emotional response which claims agents are trained to ignore. They don't want to have to pay court costs and attorneys fees to defend against your allegations so it's usually in their best interest to meet your demands; it's going to cost them $3k either way - maybe more to go to court. Don't pull the lawsuit card right away, play hardball with them first. Most people say that it is good advice to reject the first two offers and accept the third. If their third offer isn't up to snuff then you'll want to get a higher-up's info and send him a letter or email threatening a lawsuit..... give him a deadline to work within... i.e. "If you don't settle this for this amount before this Friday, I'll be filing a small claims suit against your company on Monday." Also be sure the negotiation terms specify that you get to keep the wrecked vehicle.

11-20-2009, 01:40 PM	#9 (permalink)
muffinman Brain Surgeon Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ft. Lauderdale Posts: 2,173 Thanks: 28 Thanked 117 Times in 114 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	sorry to hear do you have any pics of the damage? maybe you could buy it back from the insurance and fix it yourself if it's not too bad.

11-20-2009, 01:45 PM	#10 (permalink)
IDon'tKnow but I can find out. Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 176 Thanks: 4 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	I'm sure that those of us with parts cars will be as charitable as we can in helping you get the things you need.

11-20-2009, 04:40 PM	#11 (permalink)
Ashmen Cage Fighter Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Alabama Posts: 201 Thanks: 7 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts iTrader Rating: (3/100% )	He backed over the drivers side? What was he driving?

11-20-2009, 09:22 PM	#12 (permalink)
PPiechocki Some Skills Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Granby, CO Posts: 51 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	a Chevy Duramax.

11-21-2009, 10:28 AM	#13 (permalink)
toyotaspeed90 No Skills Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Bellingham, WA Posts: 662 Thanks: 0 Thanked 51 Times in 51 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	something to think about.... if your teacher was on the clock at work -- his insurance may be paying so little because the school might be liable

11-24-2009, 06:11 PM	#14 (permalink)
hellbillylarry No Skills Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	This is BS they owe you at least 2500 bucks, KBB classic car value is like 2800. DO NOT back down on this. I got 3500 bucks for my totaled mk1. And I got them for 5 days of rental. You deserve KBB value for a good condition car. It is the insurance adjusters job to give you less than you deserve. They are snakes do not let them f*** you on this, please. No need to sue them just agree to anything less than what you want. You'll get it they are not going to go to court over 2 grand. Get at least 2500 and buy your car back for 200 or so. Buy another mk1 with a bad engine, swap the rebuilt engine and whatever else from the wrecked one and use the leftover cash for a set of STs and Konis and all the rest of the cool suspension goodies Two's r us sells. I now have a 20v swapped mk1 since my other car got wrecked and I'm not out a dime out of pocket.

11-27-2009, 01:16 AM	#15 (permalink)
PPiechocki Some Skills Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Granby, CO Posts: 51 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	talked to the insurance company... they're dumping it at a salvage yard 2 miles outta town to get crushed. and he wasn't on the clock when he did it. and this car's value is at less than $1,000 due to the original condition before all of my work

11-27-2009, 01:33 PM	#17 (permalink)
MR JAS bought 200sx ->feel dirty Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: hamilton new zealand Posts: 562 Thanks: 11 Thanked 11 Times in 10 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	i know for certain in nz (not sure about usa) if someone elses insurance pays out on your car they cannot take ownership like your own insurance company will check this you should still own the car

11-27-2009, 10:17 PM	#18 (permalink)
PPiechocki Some Skills Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Granby, CO Posts: 51 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	my claim is too big for small claims. i hired a lawyer yesterday. well, actually, i cashed in a favor he owed me. best damn lawyer in the county. he's not gonna charge me