I hate Allstate. Let me just clarify that right up front. I had 280.00 damage for the window, and I went to the place I wanted to do the body work and after the door panel from the dealership, paint and everything was added up the total from them was 860.00. I wanted it all done there because it would only take a couple of days and I could get it done in one fell swoop and not have to take a bunch of time off work and I trust these guys. I need my truck. Then I had the receipts for a stereo at 945.00 and an amp that was bolted under the seat to the floor for 215.00. After the 500.00 deductible I got a check for 1250.00. Now I'm no math major, but that isn't adding up to me. She wouldn't cover the amp because it wasn't part of a factory package, she undershot my estimate from the shop I wanted to use because she says she knows a guy I can take it to who will do the repair for 100 even on the inside door panel scratches instead of replacing it and having the shop put it back in. I am just really pissed about the whole thing. I don't have the time nor the energy it is going to take to deal with this. What do you guys think I should do? I was very adamant about how and what I wanted done with this. She totally disreguarded everything I said and did her own thing.
The Sad Angel

 

Fighting your own insurance can be a real pain in the ***... but they normally WON'T cover amps etc, unless you have them listed on the policy and pay the rider fee.

Sorry CA... we still luv ya

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* 99.5 Black Lightning – gone!!!
Sold the 99.5 Lightning.. wait on a 2001!
* 97 F-150 Extended Cab 4.2L V-6 daily driver

Injection is nice, but I'd rather be blown. Lightning, the best of both worlds!

 

Couple of notes:

1) they should cover the shop work fully. A little pressure from a lawyer usually takes care of that. Also, most shops can bill the ins company directly. Thats usually the best way to go since it puts the negotiations between those two parties.

2) amps and non-factory stereos are usually not covered on your car insurance. HOWEVER, most homeowner or renters insurance will cover personal possessions in your car. In my case, my renters insurance covers up to 10% of the full value of my policy for in-vehicle property. Check your policy if you have one since they probably will cover at least some of it.

 

I had to specify that I wanted my stereo and amps covered -give them a dollar amount value before hand and then pay the premium, like 7 bucks a month.

 

I had a break in with my Mustang conv, and I got everything I wanted out of Allstate. You have to be very selective what you tell them, but I was able to get $500 worth of tools covered (homeowners) because the people stole my tool box from the trunk. The only reason they didn't take my amp was because they couldn't get the tool box open to get a screw driver. The only thing I did't get reimbursed for was the change in the ash tray because I didn't know the exact amount, and even if I did that would have been tough. The worst part was I suspected my neighbors all along and about a week later I found my ash tray in the dumpster when I was taking out the trash. I know it was mine because it still had a spring taped to the bottom that goes inside the console. Anyway breakins suck, they always leave you feeling violated.

I am not telling you to lie but you could also mention that a case with 20+ CD's was taken too, this might offset some of the cost and make you feel better because you are getting what you pay for out of allstate.

Hope this helps,
Gabe

 

That's precisely the reason I switched from the Good Hand-Job people to the Good Neighbor people -- they cover installed goodies like CB and Ham radio equipment (tested that one myself, unfortunately).

They even covered me when my not-yet-licensed 15-yr-old T-boned a moving target in the shopping mall. That was 10 years ago, and it was a good decision for all of us.

Squeeky wheels do get the oil, so...

...keep squeek'n!



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Y2K™ 7700 4x4
Jim - N8JG@Hotmail.com

Toreador Red, Keyless XLT SC SB 5.4L E4x4 4wDisc/ABS, 3.73LS, Skid, HD 7700# Towing, LT-245's on Chrome, Tube-Steps, Captain's, 6CD, Tonneau, named: "Nick"

 

When my stereo got stolen out of my Ram last Dec. State farm made me go thru a outside agent on the stereo because they work with local dealers to get a deal on replacement. All I can say is it was a bunch of bull. I finally got fed up and told them to cut me a check for there "replacement value". When I first talked to my agent before the break in they said, "As long as it is bolted in it is covered." Good luck and keep us posted!!

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99 L (Red)
SHM Chip
SHM MAF
Reflexxions Cowl Hood
Snug Top
Bed Rug
2" rear shackle
Speed Grille

 

They told me the reason that the amp wasn't covered because even though it was bolted in the truck under the seat the truck does not come with a stock amp, which would provide a place for the after market to set so it was not part of the vehicle...I am so tired of dealing with this.
CA

 

Hey WLSVTGirl:
Insurance companies do suck. The way they usually win is by hassling the **** out of their own consumers to fatten their own profit margins. A couple of things you might want to try: Call your state attorney general's office. They likely have a consumer affairs office or a state insurance commission (maybe both) register a complaint with them. For anything aftermarket, if you have a reciept for installation, they have to honor it(pics would help too if you got any). And as a last ditch effort, your folks homeowners insurance may cover losses of personal property from inside the vehicle. Police reports can be used as proof of loss sometimes. And if nothing else works, go to court. Most courts have a victim assistance program. If not, talk to the DA. Most courts can order the perps to pay restitution to crime victims, especially otherwise unimbursed losses. I was awarded a restitution settlement from court covering the depreciation of a custom stereo(btw: insurance co. CAN depreciate any losses!)my insurance deductable, and lost wages resulting from the crime and court days. The ONLY way you'll get it though is by fighting for it, which is definitely a drag!
Good Luck, Ed

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White'00 #2006
soft tonneau,22% tint
performance mods soon.

 

I have had Allstate for many years, through a vehicle break-in, two totalled cars and a a fender bender and I've never had ANY problem with them.

By my cipherin' you are out the cost of the amp and $55. That is less than a 3% difference between the your estimate and theirs.

You just have to play by their rules. If you went to an authorized Allstate bump shop, you wouldn't get nickeled and dimed by Allstate adjuster. An Allstate shop can do their own estimate, and gets reimbursed directly by them. The adjuster never even comes out.

Your problem was getting the Allstate claims adjuster involved. She knows exactly what she can get the car fixed for, and it is her job to make sure that Allstate pays no more than that. That's how they keep repair costs and rates down.

If you don't like this approach, you should switch insurers. But otherwise, you have to understand how your insurance company works. What you did is just like someone joining an HMO, and then going out to a doctor who is "out of network".

If you went back to your bump shop and told them what you received from Allstate, the would probably knock $55 off the bill to get it to work out even.

You're still screwed for the amp, but as was pointed out, you need a policy rider for stuff like that.




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Regards,
Gordon

'99 Red Lightning
Johnny Lightning Superchip
Johnny Lighting Ram Air Kit
Century Tonneau
Best 1/4 mi. ET: 13.249 secs

 

I guess what really bothers me here is I am never late and in the 7 years that I have been driving I had one accident that wasn't my fault. I have never even dinged anyone. I have had at least a dozen break ins to both the Mustangs and because of the fact that the damage never exceeded more than 100.00 over the deductible it was simply not worth claiming. I took time off work to deal with this and not only am I not getting the money that I put into the truck and the money that I have paid several fold for coverage now they want me to take more time off to go all over creation to suit them when the claim I put in made it very clear that I wanted all of the damage taken care of at one time in one place where I knew it was going to be done right. It's just a bad deal. We are pulling 3 Mustangs, the Lighting, a 68 F250, a 98 Zx2 and a 96 E350 29 ft camper *notice all FORD* from coverage this week and going with possibly Progressive. I won't do this again with this company.
CA

 

Progressive???? Wouldn't advise it especially since your truck is a limited production vehicle. Do you really want an adjuster on the spot of an accident or break in to cut you a check? How much of a problem is it going to be to get additional payment if something is missed?

 

Christy,

The insurance companies are all getting harder to deal with.

I understand your frustration, but you had better make sure that you understand how you are going to be handled by ANY insurance company before you leap.

Read the fine print or you will be surprised when you make a claim with THEM, too.



------------------
Regards,
Gordon

'99 Red Lightning
Johnny Lightning Superchip
Johnny Lighting Ram Air Kit
Century Tonneau
Best 1/4 mi. ET: 13.249 secs

 

WLSVTGirl:
I wouldn't let Allstate off the hook untill you get some satisfaction from them. Firing 'em isn't gonna put lost money in your pocket! You've shown your spirit across the country on these boards, GO GET ALLSTATE!