well it has been 5 months since my truck was stolen, and finally today the guy calls me and says they are going to give me $27,561. that was for my 13 month old truck, with 8500 miles, 22" rims, seat covers, tinted windows, and grille. i had receipts for everything so i added it all up, and i paid about $4,500 for all the extras. at the time my truck was stolen, the KBB value was like $30,000. so that adds up to $34,500. now i know i will not get full value for everything, but he said that with all of the extras, it only added up to like $2,000 that they would give me. why do i pay insurance if i dont get money for what i have on it!!! i want @ LEAST $30,000, but i guess the only way i can get more is to hire an appraiser, and have him appraise it? that is what the guy from the insurance company told me. how much would it cost for an appraiser, or do you think it would be worth it? any experiences or info on what i should do would be great. thanx

--Justin

 

That blows, but it even blows more that you had to wait this length of time to get your money.

 

Take the money, then find a new Lightning and call me and I will give you an X-plan. Look at it as an early Easter gift.
By the way if you can't find a dealer in your area that will x-plan you one, call me again because my local dealer has a red one and a black one and I guarantee you he will X-plan either one you want.
Marc

 

Not to go against ya here but I would be happy with the $27,5+ they offered ya. If you tried to sell it you would have gotten a lot less than that.

Remember you will never get out of what you put into a vehicle.

--Joe

 

Could you appraise something that does not exist?

 

Appraisers typically will charge about $100.00, but the difficult part is, their is no vehicle to be seen. The chance you take with an appraiser is they may come back with the same value and then you will be out $100.00 or whatever they charge, so their is some risk, and you have to account for the cost of the appraiser against your recovery. One thing you can do is research Lightnings that have sold recently in your area that are similar to yours and document the value. Even if they aren't similar, you can still document the value and then account for the difference in mileage and extras. Did you show the insurance adjuster your receipts for the extras? Do you have full replacement value on extras or does it pay the depreciated value? There are different type of policies that account for add ons. Some will pay replacement value, others will pay depreciated value and some won't pay for any add ons. It all depends on what kind of policy you have. One thing going against you is a soft economy and the resale value of a lot of vehicles isn't as strong as it once was. If you do your homework on the value of sold Lighnings, you might be able to get them to increase their payment. Good luck in your settlement, but remember, it's kind of like buying a car, just be good at negotiating with some facts to back you up.

 

thanx for the info, and 1BADBOLT, good call. i dunno how it could be appraised if it is torched?

 

They can obviously appraise what it was worth...

 

yes but how can i argue and say it was in perfect chape and that i should get more money if all they have to go on is a what ever is left of it. nice try though SK

 

crazy foo could all of the extras u paid for like rims and stuff be covered under homeowners i would assume that it would so as long as that would be covered u could get 27500 for the truck then claim the extras on homeowners and get all of what u paid back assuming u have all the receipts
if i remember correctly my L was only 27,600 when i got mine brand new with a-plan so i think youre making out good

 

Pictures...

 

Home owners insurance usually won't cover anything on, or in a vehicle. If the items were stored in the house or in a garage, then you would have a case, but that's why they have automobile insurance and homeowners insurance.

As far as appraising something that isn't available anymore, it's done all the time. Pictures and research will give the apparaiser a value of what the truck should be worth. Without the actual vehicle though, most appraisers will probably be on the conservative side.

 

your just getting a check now!!!!!!

Massachusetts states that the insurance companies have to settle within 30 days of filing the claim!!!!

 

take the money and run - it's a good deal.
i made out on insurance when i was in high school.... i totaled out a '91 LX 5.0 and the insurance gave me $2000 more than I bought it for. it paid for a new vehicle, and the heightened insurance due to my poor judgment at the time. boy, i miss that car.

 

What kind of wheels are those.Those are sweet.Id like some in 18s