I'm getting a bad feeling about something and I want to make sure I have a good education before talking to an insurance company.
Earlier this year, a neighbor rounded the corner, spun out on the ice and hit my stored trailer. It then pivoted into the side of my son's trailer which inflicted some small dents on the other side. Thankfully the Ts weren't involved. Since she came off a curb, damage is higher than the frame rail and I now have a three foot wide tear in the aluminum with two of the steel uprights buckled two inches into the trailer. As near as I can see, the buckled uprights can be straightened and one piece of aluminum needs to be replaced ground to gutter. The trailer has been sitting in a repair shop until the neighbors insurance company completes their inspection. The repair shop warned me these things often end up totaled.
I had this trailer made in '86 and it's over height with a ramp door and beavertail. It's never been driven in the winter so there's no corrosion anywhere. Is there any way to figure out what the current value is before the insurance company says they won't fix it and offers me a lowball write-off?
I would suggest getting three each estimates on repairing the damage and replacing the trailer with a new one. When they make a low ball offer, show them what reasonable and area assessments are and that they must reconcider or you'll turn the whole matter over to your lawyer. You might be able to bluff you way into a better price. If not be prepared to find and use a lawyer, also don't agree to any settlement on the spot, take your time, get a copy of their offer and take it home and review it. IMHO Wes
I would start with learning replacement value; what a new one would cost. Let them try to talk you down from there. Be sure to include loss of use since the accident.
"It's not what you deserve that counts. It's what you negotiate."
Be tough. If you're not already a tough negotiator, you might want to invest in a book on negotiating. It will do you good in the future.
rdr
Tom, I think you should insist on having the trailer repaired. If it is totaled, you would probably get depreciated value on a 26 year old trailer. Not much unless you get to keep the trailer.
I agree I want the trailer repaired. The initial damage estimate is $1800 and I see a replacement cost of being around four times that number. The door and corner of the trailer aren't affected but the repair place seems to think it being totaled is a possibility.
Totaled means the insurance company thinks repairs would be more than the trailer is worth at resale. I would hold out for the repair price and let them know you won't settle for anything less than the repairs or a comprehensive repair estimate. The problem is they will threaten anything to get you to settle if they can. You don't have to do anything until you are happy or at least satisfied with their offer.
If the insurance company wants to total the trailer ask them about buying it back and use the funds they give you to have it repaired. Be sure to get the title so you can legally license it.
If they insist on totaling it tell them that you will accept their offer if they can find a replacement at the amount they are offering.
I did that with a Buick Riveria (insisting on the same mileage, and condition) and they finally doubled the offer.
In Washington State we have a law that tells ins. co they have to replace or pay you a value of what you have to the tee.
A friend of mine wrecked his motorhome and they tried to give him more money than I ever thought it was worth but he held out for the exact thing by scouring the net to find the exact one. Same year, model and all options he said it had. HA @!
In the end he got an additional 8 grand. I would not be the one to screw anyone including an insurance company but I would just make sure you get it fixed correctly or an exact replacement.
Good luck I wish you the best.
J
2 pieces of what looks like 20mm box steel and a sheet of aluminum looks so easy to fix.
Make sure that you a matching apples with apples. I had an old trailer hit by a tree in one of our storms. I was just going to replace this trailer because it was so old. All the new trailers I look at are no where near what this old trailer is. By the time I add things up it is cheaper to fix my old trailer than get a new one that is equal.
I have never had such a rough time dealing with another insurance company as I have with these guys. Every time I call, I have to call a tri-state toll free number and I get another person with another name and they have to re-open the files. No, there is no direct line so I can contract the same guy and talk to him a second time. They are still concerned about the age of the trailer since it was built in the late eighties. Using his logic, my house must not be worth much since it was built in '68.
The guy I talked to last night is still convinced he can find a 24 foot overheight trailer from this same manufacturer for $1800 so this one can be totalled. I told him to buy two for me.
Every person I talk to is a graduate of the school of non-specific. When told I will be called back, it is always "soon". I asked one guy to quantify "soon" in terms of hours or days and he got riled.
Tom,
Since the trailer was parked on your property and not attached to a vehicle could you contact your home owner insurance company or your auto insurance company settle with one of them and let them to fight the other persons insurance?
I had a total loss on a pickup about 9 years ago. I had to fight them like crazy to get them to the retail number (which after all is what it cost us to replace).
Your state may have a law that requires they settle within a certain amount of time. If Michigan has such a law, push the issue.
The dealing I had with my claim (uninsured motorist at fault) was settled on the 33rd day. The managing director of the total loss department called me and said he wanted to settle this today to which I replied, "I'll bet you do since by law you were required to settle it three days ago". Everything changed and he gave me what I had been asking for all along. As soon as the check arrived I cancelled them as I had already opened a new policy with another insurance company.
I don't envy you, your going to have to get "Roy D. Mercer" with them.
For repair, go to a semi trailer shop, they routinely do that type of repair. Also the round track boys do a lot of that to patch their modifieds.
Here's where the statement "a satisfied customer is our best advertising" is appropriate - isn't it?
In the interest of sharing names of good vendors, good service people, and good people in general, isn't it only fair to share the names of those individuals/companies who disappoint?
It sure is nice to be able to benefit from the tribulations of others.
Tom, if you are reluctant to post the name of the offending company on the Forum, would you consider sending me a PM with that info?
Thanks for your consideration - and I'm sorry for your misfortune.
Dave Dufault
I just got a phone call with what I hope is good news. After figuring out how much it is to replace this trailer, they've decided to proceed with the repairs. They said the check for the repairs is going out in today's mail.
Next time, I'm parking it fifty feet further from the corner. I'll let someone else deal with the lady race car driver.
Dave,
PM sent