Another one bites the dust...I hit a deer doing around 80mph the other day and I suspect my car is done for. I have been in this sittuation before but this thread is a request for advice on getting top dollar from an insurance claim adjuster. Any and all posts would be appreciated.

I had around 140, 000 on it and, of course, was riding with a "new" tranny. KBB says around $6, 755(Sad) for "good" condition(I say "good" because its flawless with the exception of the back bumper having a basketball-size splotch of missing paint from getting scuffed in a parking lot). But NADA puts it's value higher, at $7, 425(again, "good" condition). My question is this: Which of these estimates should I realistically hope for? And, again, what advice do you guys and or girls have on minimizing my maximum loss with this sittuation?

 

 

If you had recent major service, new tires or legal modifications- you can add those into the value of the car. Did you pay for the trans? It still has major VALUE

Think of it as the differance between what you think blue book is- and what the dealer would buy the car from you for which on a good day is lowest book.
It may be worth having a car appraiser give you a evaluation

 

This thread just reminded me of this. I couldn't find a good pic.

 

True true true. I'll post some if I end up getting any.

 

Well I put new tires on a month ago. I didnt pay for the trany though. Sounds like i'll be fighting to get over 6k.

 

Was the damage on the front of your car? Or more towards the side?
Tell them that the deer hit you. Don't ever say you hit the deer.

 

Dear,deer or deere??

 

I just went through the process of dealing with insurance adjusters after my car was totalled. An adjuster will go out and appraise the car based on year, make, model, options and mileage. Based on this criteria they will call and offer you a settlement. DO NOT accept the offer until you've had a chance to call your bank to ask them what they would loan on the car. Give your bank all the pertinent information and they'll let you know what the value is. Most insurance companies go off the NADA book for your region. Unless you have an "Association" type membership to NADA the figures will be different if you go to NADA to look it up yourself so don't go soley off of what you see on that site. I dealt with State Farm Ins and was pretty much told that the price is non-negotiable.

Of course this was just my recent experience and may differ in other areas/different insurances.

 

i also rejected the settlement offer made by gieco to me for my totalled 06 mini cooper S. The adjuster gave me the number of their appraisal service and i ran through a list of add-ons and upgraded options to the car that the adjuster had obviously overlooked. They are paid to give you a lower dollar amount..... I managed to claim back an additional $7000 but after depreciation, my 3 hours on the phone turned into $3500 additional monies towards my settlement value, which i then accepted.

I produced reciepts and all my add-ons were from the factory or were from MINI. I even claimed for the 3m clear bra. If you have your act together and modded smartly with mods that add value rather than take away, you should come out ahead.