Got hit and insurance wants to salvage my TJ

[lulzpwndyah]

I just want to throw a tip out there. Ask for the information of the cars they get the prices from.
I had an 89 BMW E30 that was totaled and they wanted to give me 1k for it because of the prices of relatable cars in my area. I asked them for the info of the cars they checked and they gave me a list of dealerships and names of sales associate at said dealership. I looked the dealer up online and gave them a call and inquired about the car the insurance company said they had. They laughed and said that they don't carry cars that old and don't have someone by the name I provided. Same story at the other 4 dealers.
I told them this and they ended up giving me 7k instead of 1k.

 

[myjeep3]

Wow, 7k from 1k. Stealers

 

[myjeep3]

Still haven't heard from the adjuster, two later later after her inspection. Will see if she calls before end of the day. I know shes still trying to find cheaps jeeps in my area but they arent many if any.

 

[MaximusLJR06]

Still haven't heard from the adjuster, two later later after her inspection. Will see if she calls before end of the day. I know shes still trying to find cheaps jeeps in my area but they arent many if any.

This got me interested in seeing what I would get if mine was totaled. Closest LJ Rubicon I could find with similar mileage was 750 miles away. I then took the average price for LJ Rubicon’s for sale in the whole country with similar mileage and came up with an average of $32,500. I think the insurance company would shit if they saw that and had to pay it.

 

[pagrey]

$32,500. I think the insurance company would shit if they saw that and had to pay it.

They'd pay, small beans if somebody ain't in the hospital with a broken back or worse. Been through the same deal, do your research and stand your ground. You get market value. You don't get extra because you spent XYZ dollars on a mod, you get what the same thing sells for in the current market.

 

[MaximusLJR06]

Had this happen on the turnpike today about a 1/4 mile ahead of me. Needless to say that’s what got me thinking about it lol they ended up closing the turnpike down to clean it up. I don’t think anyone got hurt surprisingly.

 

[lulzpwndyah]

They'd pay, small beans if somebody ain't in the hospital with a broken back or worse. Been through the same deal, do your research and stand your ground. You get market value. You don't get extra because you spent XYZ dollars on a mod, you get what the same thing sells for in the current market.

Yep, this right here. When they did my e30 I talked about earlier they didn't care that I had really rare parts on it or not. After the eval I took off the wheels and slapped some steelies on it threw on the oem steering wheel took off turbo and euro headlights I ended up taking 5k off in parts that I was able to recoup by selling on craigslist so I got 13k back for that car 7k from the insurance and 5k in parts I sold it took some work on my part for example I had to throw on the original suspension and keep my aftermarket arms springs and shocks. Luckily I had saved every oem part I had replaced.

 

[myjeep3]

Got a call from adjuster, still no valuation, said need another day or two for it to come in. wondering why it take so long, who they use etc.
I understand they would pay out market value for comparable cars on market, all the 50-100 TJ i have looked at have different price tags base on how clean they are etc. Wouldnt they pay out whatever it cost to replace the car? meaning they would look and compare to those that are in the same condition? Like if an average jeep is valued at 5K but a clean one goes for 9k, should they be looking at paying out close to the high end?

 

[pagrey]

They might have to find salvage value of your Jeep including damage and sometimes they send pictures to auction houses and yards. Most of those places are busy and don't exactly respond back in one day. It's not hypothetical to them, if they salvage the Jeep they are probably giving it to one of the places they sent pictures to. They also might research market values which as you know can take time. It might not be a bad thing they are taking time to get a reasonable number but it probably does mean they wont give you much wiggle room.

At the end of the day if you keep the Jeep they still have their calculation of the salvage value minus the money they pay you to total the Jeep and that is their total cost. They will pay you that if you plan on keeping the jeep. They are just figuring out what that number is. After they tell you what they'll pay to junk it then just ask for the settlement minus the salvage value of the Jeep and tell them you want to keep the Jeep. For a huge insurance company they know it's more value for you to be happy with how they treated you, it really shouldn't be an issue.

 

[Zorba]

For a huge insurance company they know it's more value for you to be happy with how they treated you...

I have news for you: Insurance companies don't care whether you're happy or not. At least, I have yet to encounter one that does!

 

[suicideking]

Got a call from adjuster, still no valuation, said need another day or two for it to come in. wondering why it take so long, who they use etc.
I understand they would pay out market value for comparable cars on market, all the 50-100 TJ i have looked at have different price tags base on how clean they are etc. Wouldnt they pay out whatever it cost to replace the car? meaning they would look and compare to those that are in the same condition? Like if an average jeep is valued at 5K but a clean one goes for 9k, should they be looking at paying out close to the high end?

I figure they're always going to try to lowball you if they can get away with it.

 

[myjeep3]

@suicideking @Zorba I can agree with that. They are rude even over the phone. I dont think they care at all.

 

[Just Chillin]

Skimming through this thread, you keep mentioning that you are waiting on the adjuster to get back to you?

Stop waiting on them. Take matters into your own hands and get some estimates. It will be difficult for you to debate anything with the adjusters if you don't have that info in front of you.

Go to a very good body shop and start working with them. One great thing about your Jeep is the shop can easily see the damage (no big plastic bumpers hiding stuff).

You (not the adjuster), need to have a couple of estimates in hand and know what a fully restored 97 TJ (plus your mods) sells for.

For example, there is a clean 97 Wrangler sport with 67K miles selling for $11,990 within 200 miles of MA (your restored Jeep is probably worth at least the low mileage versions). Look up several more. When the adjuster says your jeep is worth $5K and the damages are $7K so it's totaled, you can call bullshit on them.

You need to be in the driver's seat on this!

 

[myjeep3]

Skimming through this thread, you keep mentioning that you are waiting on the adjuster to get back to you?

Stop waiting on them. Take matters into your own hands and get some estimates. It will be difficult for you to debate anything with the adjusters if you don't have that info in front of you.

Go to a very good body shop and start working with them. One great thing about your Jeep is the shop can easily see the damage (no big plastic bumpers hiding stuff).

You (not the adjuster), need to have a couple of estimates in hand and know what a fully restored 97 TJ (plus your mods) sells for.

For example, there is a clean 97 Wrangler sport with 67K miles selling for $11,990 within 200 miles of MA (your restored Jeep is probably worth at least the low mileage versions). Look up several more. When the adjuster says your jeep is worth $5K and the damages are $7K so it's totaled, you can call bullshit on them.

You need to be in the driver's seat on this!

I hear you, I have been contacting the adjuster, thn am told to wait that is why i say am waiting.
I have an idea how much it will cost to repair it, as i have built this thing from ground up. I know their repair estimation is much higher then what it will actually cost to repair it. Planning on keepimg it. Needs a quart panel, tire, upper n lower control arm which absorbed the impact and bent.
I have scanned and looked at multiple jeeps around, not alot in my area, but i know around how much a clean one with the same mileage cost.
Interested to see what they come up with for offers.

 

[Mike_H]

I hear you, I have been contacting the adjuster, thn am told to wait that is why i say am waiting.
I have an idea how much it will cost to repair it, as i have built this thing from ground up. I know their repair estimation is much higher then what it will actually cost to repair it. Planning on keepimg it. Needs a quart panel, tire, upper n lower control arm which absorbed the impact and bent.
I have scanned and looked at multiple jeeps around, not alot in my area, but i know around how much a clean one with the same mileage cost.
Interested to see what they come up with for offers.

You need to have documented estimates of repairs and similar vehicles for sale. Not just numbers in your head. Those are a good starting point. When you have the actual conversation with the adjuster, you will need more than numbers in your head if you want to have a negotiation.

 

[Bluovalguy]

I have seen several times people say to look for jeeps with similar mods… insurance isn’t going to care what mods you have done to the Jeep or how much you have spent on those mods. They are going to pay as little as possible using a stock TJ as a guide.

They could care less about your mods and won’t reimburse for those UNLESS you have informed them of the mods and have been paying for coverage on the mods.

If you have been paying rates for a stock jeep you can’t expect to be compensated for mods and items that weren’t covered.

As much as insurance companies suck, that aspect is hard to fault them on and it seems a lot of folks aren’t aware of that.

 

[Shwiftypickle]

I made sure to include an extra 15k on my insurance for that reason. Just because I figured they'd burn if something ever happened.

 

[Just Chillin]

I understand you are going to fix it yourself. Get three estimates for the repairs. When the adjuster finally calls you, (and low balls you), hit him or her with the estimates. Negotiate from that position. The insurance company will want to settle for the estimate price (and write you a check). This is because body shops always find more stuff wrong once they open it up and the insurance company ends up paying more. If they refuse to give you a reasonable offer, then start saying this is "Bad Faith" and you will have to take their client to court.

This is based on my experience with many accidents and my kids accidents over the years in California. I don't know the laws/insurance in Mass. You may want to talk to an expert in MA or even an attorney.

 

[suicideking]

I have seen several times people say to look for jeeps with similar mods… insurance isn’t going to care what mods you have done to the Jeep or how much you have spent on those mods. They are going to pay as little as possible using a stock TJ as a guide.

They could care less about your mods and won’t reimburse for those UNLESS you have informed them of the mods and have been paying for coverage on the mods.

If you have been paying rates for a stock jeep you can’t expect to be compensated for mods and items that weren’t covered.

As much as insurance companies suck, that aspect is hard to fault them on and it seems a lot of folks aren’t aware of that.

Depends on your insurance co. Most won't, but State Farm will reimburse for any parts you have the receipt for. They will not pay ANY labor though. Plus I'd expect they're not going to give you 100%, everything will be depreciated according to how old it is.

 

[RHanna]

If the accident was the OP's fault then I would agree with the previous posts about mods. Since this was the other drivers fault they should reimburse you to the point that makes you "whole" so that would include mods. It will be more work to get the full value out of your jeep but you have every right to that amount.