dealing with adjusters, NEED HELP!
 

Ok, today the adjuster for the other dudes insurance company offered us 8900 for my explorer, we said that was unacceptable. the value of my car is over 12,500 dollars. I need 13-15 thousand to get a car that was equal to what I had. Does anyone have any advice on what I can do/or say to get what I need?

I say get an attorney. Although they will charge a percentage of what you get, you definitely have a better chance getting more money with an attorney if you really don't know how to get your way with the adjuster. I have been in a few accidents and I hated dealing with "the other dudes insurance company" because they are such jerks!! I got an attorney and everything worked just great.

I do wish you the best of luck!

Exactly, there are some attornies whos specialty is dealing with insurance like this. Most of these folks won't litigate though. Don't choose a TV lawyer, that's the best advice I can give.

Im on the case, my cousin was the top of her class at creighton law school, and supposedly did awesome on her bar exam (even though you dont find the exact results, but she only had to take it once, which isnt all too common) and some of my chapters alumni are some of the best attorneys in the city.

What happened to your car? Was it hail?

Hootie

Look at my thread "interesting day" and that will give you the story, but it wasnt hail, my car was totaled...

Most attorneys won't take the case unless there is a bodily injury claim attached to it.

As an insurance claims examiner, this is what I suggest.

They offered you the $8900 probably after running your car through a company called CCC (I have no idea what that stands for. But that's what it's called.)

CCC gives what is supposed to be the fair market value for the standard issue explorer of the same year. The company will subtract money for any prior damage, or anything that would lower the value. It's illegal for the company to think your car is worth 12k and only offer 9k. They have to offer what they think it's worth.


YOU HAVE TO TELL THEM WHY IT'S WORTH MORE! Gather evidence. Was there really low miles? Was it emaculate? Was there lots of after market parts?

GIVE THEM PROOF!

Another thing you'll want to do is find vehicles identical (or damn near) to yours that is for sell in your area. What are those going for?

Gather your evidence and provide it to the adjuster.

You don't need a lawyer!

SoCalGirl is probably right, this looks like an argument you can put together yourself with a little research and investigation.

1. Make a full assessment of the state your car was in before the accident. Write down everything you can remember. (1) mileage, (2) prior damage, and (3) wear and tear, including any rust, are all essential.

2. Take the information you've got and plug it into all the auto valuation calculators you can find. I checked CCC (http://www.cccis.com) to see if they had anything online and they didn't appear to, but the National Automobile Dealers Association has its used car guides available (http://www.nadaguides.com), and the Kelley Blue Book (http://www.kbb.com) is pretty well known, also.

3. If you're skeptical about the numbers you see, then do a little research and see what similar cars are actually being sold for in the area. This is not the same as what they're being -offered- for. Classified ads and dealers tend to advertise well over the price that you would expect to pay! The sale price, not the advertised price, is what counts. Unfortunately, it's harder to find.

4. If, according to your research, the number is still out of whack, write the insurance company a letter explaining everything about the car that you had and detailing why your research shows that their offer is inadequate. You are generally entitled to receive enough money to replace your car in your local market, in the condition that it was in at the time that you lost it. You are not entitled to receive enough replace it with a vehicle that is newer or in better condition.

Good luck!

Oh, I have to add the usual disclaimer. I'm not a lawyer, do not know insurance law, and you cannot rely on what I have said for legal advice. I'm only recommending ways that you might assemble a strong argument to make your case to the insurance company.

one more thing
 

Keep copies of everything! Especially your communications with the insurance company. When you send them a letter (which you should do, to keep a good paper trail), make sure you retain a paper copy.