So how bad is the insurance company going to screw me?

BigClay

BigClay

Knower of useless ZJ things
Joined
Sep 24, 2008
Location
Winston-Salem
Well I was awoken last night to the sound of some punk kid plowing into the front of my jeep that was parked on the street in front of my house. He hit it HARD, moved the jeep back about 4 feet, totaled his subaru. Did I mention he was HIGH, and was arrested for possession...

So my question is, it is technically a 93 ZJ with 170k miles, but I have over $10k in it in just parts and accessories, so how bad is the Insurance Company going to screw me?

Here are some pics

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ai358.photobucket.com_albums_oo27_CW_2009_Jeep_20Wreck_201_24_11_015.jpg


ai358.photobucket.com_albums_oo27_CW_2009_Jeep_20Wreck_201_24_11_019.jpg


ai358.photobucket.com_albums_oo27_CW_2009_Jeep_20Wreck_201_24_11_024.jpg


ai358.photobucket.com_albums_oo27_CW_2009_Jeep_20Wreck_201_24_11_009.jpg
 
Looks like the ARB handled it well, looks like it still matches the body lines pretty well, so I doubt there was any unibody damage.
And it doesn't really look like it shifted the axle backwards any so probably no damage to the mounts on the unibody, (is it a LA I can't tell?..)

Looks to me like have the axle checked out to make sure it's not bent, and replace a few steering parts and may be good to go.

In college I had a punk in a brand new Acura RSX (still had the 30 day tags on it) run a stop sign in front of me when I was in my TJ, I couldn't stop and I wound up running over his hood. Tore his car up BAD, all it did to mine was bend the bumper, rip the weld on the UCA mount on the axle, and bend both passenger side control arms (stock stamped steel). Had an estimate wrote up for new mount welded on, 4 new control arms, and a bumper, wound up being around $1200. I just happened to have 4 stock control arms off of a XJ I lifted, swapped those in, welded on a new LCA mount on the axle, and hacked off the parts of the bumper past the frame rails. Came out at about $50 to fix it myself.
 
start your own spreadsheet documenting all the add-ons that KBB won't account for...then you'll know how bad the insurance company will try to screw you :lol:
I had someone make a left turn in front of my CJ, the other guys insurance totalled mine. I faxed a handwritten sheet with my add-ons, and they simply added it to the settlement, no recipets, etc. My case was different than yours; I was in the vehicle and filing no medical claims. The other guy had medical and funeral bills on top of his car.
But document everything you have so you know where you stand. Don't accept their first lowball 'offer'.

It looks like you ZJ fared pretty well. Might want to at least get the AC inpected/recharged, thats one thing that pops up later, people dont think about it in the winter.
 
Better hope he dont have Gieco,if he does you better get a lawyer.Trust me I know what Im talkin about.My wife got hit by some girl who had ins thru them and it was finally settled at the 1st of Jan-three days short of two years later.
 
Clay, what insurance company did this guy have?

I am a licensed Motor Vehicle Damage Appraiser in NC and I do work for a few dozen different insurnace companies and appraisal firms in the area.
 
If your insurance company thinks you have a stock vehicle and is insuring it as wuch they shouldn't insure the crap they don't know about.

Now if they knew all the modifications they should pay for those.

If they didn't know about the upgrades and you want paid for them it's you trying to screw them.

Now if they decide to total it you should be allowed to remove all the stuff they didn't know about without buying it back. Just don't let them tow it from your property until a deal is struck.
 
hadfield4wd said:
If your insurance company thinks you have a stock vehicle and is insuring it as wuch they shouldn't insure the crap they don't know about.
Now if they knew all the modifications they should pay for those.
If they didn't know about the upgrades and you want paid for them it's you trying to screw them.
Now if they decide to total it you should be allowed to remove all the stuff they didn't know about without buying it back. Just don't let them tow it from your property until a deal is struck.
Click to expand...

BZZZT...wrong answer. Clay's insurance company shouldnt come into play, its the other guys liabilitly insurance.
 
EasySteve said:
Clay, what insurance company did this guy have?
I am a licensed Motor Vehicle Damage Appraiser in NC and I do work for a few dozen different insurnace companies and appraisal firms in the area.
Click to expand...

He has Farm Bureau. Have any experience with them?

hadfield4wd said:
If your insurance company thinks you have a stock vehicle and is insuring it as wuch they shouldn't insure the crap they don't know about.
Now if they knew all the modifications they should pay for those.
If they didn't know about the upgrades and you want paid for them it's you trying to screw them.
Now if they decide to total it you should be allowed to remove all the stuff they didn't know about without buying it back. Just don't let them tow it from your property until a deal is struck.
Click to expand...

It was his fault and his insurance, my insurance has nothing to do with it.

JC said:
Hate to see that Clay :( Let me know if I can help in any way!
Click to expand...

Thanks John!

RenegadeT said:
BZZZT...wrong answer. Clay's insurance company shouldnt come into play, its the other guys liabilitly insurance.
Click to expand...

Exactly.
 
Just depends on that guys insurance company . I had a woman back into my 1970 vw a few years back and crush the right front fender . Her insurance company had me drive the car to them and looked at it I also had proof of awards and restoration repairs I had the price of a nos fender and body shop estimate to re paint the fender . They gave me the full price which was close to 1000 bucks .
 
Exactly, its on Farm Bureau.

I do work for Farm Bureau (NC and VA) through another company out of Greensboro from time to time.

I would definitely make sure you are present when the estimator comes out to check out the Jeep and it wouldnt hurt to provide him with copies of all the invoices. Any documentation you can provide will add to the vehicles retail value.
 
I might just have to get me one of those ARB bumbers if it can take a hit like that. That kid must have been movin right along to hit the Jeep that hard. Sucks that happened to you and I hope everything gets worked out. Good thing you weren't in it that could have really hurt.
 
That ARB saved the Jeep from total destruction. It took the brute force and doesn't appear to be bent. The axle however doesn't appear to have fared so well.
 
EasySteve said:
Exactly, its on Farm Bureau.
I do work for Farm Bureau (NC and VA) through another company out of Greensboro from time to time.
I would definitely make sure you are present when the estimator comes out to check out the Jeep and it wouldnt hurt to provide him with copies of all the invoices. Any documentation you can provide will add to the vehicles retail value.
Click to expand...

What firm do you work for?

Not exactly sure about this qoute. By doing all of the "add ons" you have actualy reduced the marketable of the vehicle. I know all of us, my self included, think that by adding equipment to the vehicle it makes it more valuable & capable to us. But you represent a small portion of Cherokee owners that would want that excat same equipment on that vehicle. So if you were going to resale it, you would have less of market to reach out to. This is my most "project" rigs are parted out, it's the only way you can come close to getting your money back out of it.
IMO the best thing you can do, is research the actual cash value, NADA & KBB, then buy it back at the lowest salvage figure & fix it yourself.
 
hadfield4wd said:
If your insurance company thinks you have a stock vehicle and is insuring it as wuch they shouldn't insure the crap they don't know about.
Now if they knew all the modifications they should pay for those.
If they didn't know about the upgrades and you want paid for them it's you trying to screw them.
Now if they decide to total it you should be allowed to remove all the stuff they didn't know about without buying it back. Just don't let them tow it from your property until a deal is struck.
Click to expand...


If you read your NC auto policy, I think that this applies to all auto insurance carriers, it states: they only owe you for the first $1,000 in "custom equipment" anything not installed by OEM, anything above that amount, you have to have an adsorement for...
 
I work for Tollivers Appraisal Service out of Kernersville.

You would be correct if Clay was a fault, however the key to this whole situation is what Clay can produce receipts for.
 
Man that sucks! Let me know if you need some help fixing it.
 
DUDE THAT SUCKS. I REALLY hope it all works out for you QUICKLY.
 
Hate to hear it Clay. Maybe he actually "fixed" your bumper!:lol:
Although it's a PITA, you should come out okay if you have receipts and don't let them BS you.
 
receipts do not matter, just show them a printout of what the part cost and they will pay you for it. been there done that
 
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