Post Accident Help - Replacing custom/performance items

[Ta2dResqr]

So first the bad news, my SHO was totaled on Tuesday. I was driving home from work and a Chevy 2500HD went left of center and hit me. I am out of the hospital sore but generally okay.

The battle has already started with the other parties insurance (Geico). They say they will reimburse me for the Market Value of the car. I explained I had MANY custom, performance, stereo, etc items on the vehicle. They said they will only pay for items that add to the market value. They have also stated I am not allowed to remove anything or the value of the part will be deducted from the Market Value. I am under the impression that their insured deprived me of my property and they have to make it whole again (the vehicle and the add-ons). I have perfectly willing to go remove any parts at my time and expense and only have them pay for items that cannot be recovered.

Does anyone have any experience or knowledge with getting a modified vehicle/parts replaced?

Thanks!

 

[Irish Pride]

I have no first hand experience with this, but it sounds like you will need to sue them. Consult with an attorney.

-Chad

 

[Airborne]

I agree, and with injuries, you need a lawyer. If it is starting out like this, it is going to be a fight the whole way. Check your state laws, in AZ, they are only responsible for market value, but that is all up to interpretation. You say it adds value, the adjuster says it does not. The only aftermarket item i ever got an adjuster to agree to pay for was a back up camera on my truck when someone rear ended me and the camera was damaged. An option is to buy it back after they total it and take off the parts at your leisure.

 

[Lowrider1976]

Too late for this now, but there it's such a thing as a stated value policy. Usually used for classic/ antique cars. You get the vehicle appraised, take that to your insurance company and get a policy particular to cover said appraised value. It can be used for modifications too if I recall. Might be helpful info to others in the future. I was an insurance agent almost 20 years ago and I'm fairly certain that it is still an available option. Normally insurance policies limit the amount of customization that they will reimburse for without documentation in advance.

Good luck, and hope you heal up well bud!

 

[Ecoboost_xsport]

Stop dealing with their insurance. I went through the same thing years ago. Have your insurance pay you out (you'll pay your deductible) on the value of your car along with mods. And do not let the other company appraise it or take their value for it. Sign no documents they give you...cease all communication with their insurance and have them contact you through your insurance. Since it was the other party's fault, your company will then go after their insurance. After about 6 months, you'll get your deductible back.

I got fed up with the same thing. Its in the other party's interest to pay you as little as possible and its in your insurance companies interest to get the proper value for your car.

You don't need a lawyer or to sue, just let your insurance company lawyers go after their lawyers. Less headache. ****, you pay with that premium every month...time to put your insurance company to work.

Unless you have a ****** carrier, this is basically a slam dunk, open and shut case.

 

[Airborne]

Too late for this now, but there it's such a thing as a stated value policy. Usually used for classic/ antique cars. You get the vehicle appraised, take that to your insurance company and get a policy particular to cover said appraised value. It can be used for modifications too if I recall. Might be helpful info to others in the future. I was an insurance agent almost 20 years ago and I'm fairly certain that it is still an available option. Normally insurance policies limit the amount of customization that they will reimburse for without documentation in advance.

Good luck, and hope you heal up well bud!

Stated value for antique/custom cars is still available. I have my Gen 1 SHO's insured thru State Farm, $6200 on the '89 and $12,500 on the '91, Stated Value.

 

[Airborne]

Stop dealing with their insurance. I went through the same thing years ago. Have your insurance pay you out (you'll pay your deductible) on the value of your car along with mods. And do not let the other company appraise it or take their value for it. Sign no documents they give you...cease all communication with their insurance and have them contact you through your insurance. Since it was the other party's fault, your company will then go after their insurance. After about 6 months, you'll get your deductible back.

I got fed up with the same thing. Its in the other party's interest to pay you as little as possible and its in your insurance companies interest to get the proper value for your car.

You don't need a lawyer or to sue, just let your insurance company lawyers go after their lawyers. Less headache. ****, you pay with that premium every month...time to put your insurance company to work.

Unless you have a ****** carrier, this is basically a slam dunk, open and shut case.

You would want to talk to your insurance co. first or read your policy very carfully before filing with your insurance provider. Some have a clause that something happens if they don't collect 80% of the payout from the other insurance company at fault, like increased premiums or even you are responsible for the difference. Not all insurance providers are created equal.

 

[rubydist]

I would start with your own insurance company, per the suggestion of ecoboost_xsport above. Generally, they will go to bat for you and you will be ok. If that doesn't get you where you need to be, then you can find an attorney, but keep in mind that the lawyers get expensive very fast.

 

[stripSHO]

Take others past experience with a gigantic grain of salt and consult a lawyer. Insurance carriers vary, policies vary, state laws vary. You can pretty much count on one thing though, the insurance company is not going to let you remove anything from it. Our work vans (Transits) get totaled at the lightest scratch it seems. They have like $10k in ladder racks, shelving, bulkhead etc. and when the insurance company totals out a van we lose all of it, every time.

 

[Ta2dResqr]

Too late for this now, but there it's such a thing as a stated value policy. Usually used for classic/ antique cars. You get the vehicle appraised, take that to your insurance company and get a policy particular to cover said appraised value. It can be used for modifications too if I recall. Might be helpful info to others in the future. I was an insurance agent almost 20 years ago and I'm fairly certain that it is still an available option. Normally insurance policies limit the amount of customization that they will reimburse for without documentation in advance.

Good luck, and hope you heal up well bud!

I have a $5000 additional accessories coverage on my policy so I think this is the route I will be going. Their insurance did ask if I had stock parts, so I may try to swap some of the stock parts and then go from there.

 

[Jeff2017]

Since you were injured and not at fault the insurance company is being pretty stupid. They should be offering market value plus a nice check to cover your inconvenience and suffering. Very dumb indeed.

 

[robert francis]

Talk to your insurance agent first and see what they will do for you. If it turns out you're not satisfied with what they are willing to do for you- then seek legal counsel.

 

[Ta2dResqr]

The replacement has arrived! Hope to have most of my custom parts back this Friday.

 

[FiveLeeter918]

Wow man, sorry to hear. I had something similar happen to my 2011 Mustang when it was totalled. Unfortunately I did rear end the other party (they pulled out in front of me and hit the brakes in the rain so I slid into them, but Oklahoma says the impact is automatically the faulter) so it was dealing with my own insurance, but it was a fight to get them to agree to let me remove and replace anything and then it was another fight when the fraud department saw the car upon taking possession and it didn't match the pictures the adjuster provided in the claim.

One question is, is the car currently in your possession or is it at the insurance yard? Did you use THEIR recommended body shop for the adjustment of damage or did you take it to your own choice of place? The car is still yours until they give you a check and you give them the title, so don't settle on anything. Were you like most car guys and document every change you made to the car down to the valve stem caps? If so, provide note of all of these out of pocket changes, as it will help. If you have the factory components, tell them you have no problem providing them with the OE spec components, but since the modifications don't add to market value, neither will removing them for stock replacements.

If you need stock replacements, post a list of what you need and I'm sure plenty of people, myself included, can help with sourcing at reasonable costs compared to the aftermarket version.

With my insurance, they did let me remove the aftermarket components, but the items that were damaged in the wreck (my Roush front bumper, GT500 headlights, GT500 splitter, CF radiator cover, etc) I provided DATED invoices and install pictures and they gave me a depreciated value of the item. It wasn't anywhere near what I would've gotten by reselling the parts, but it did cushion the ****.

Unfortunately this is the state of the economy we are in, and it's a literal struggle to get anyone to give you value for much of anything right now.

Good luck, I hope it comes out in your favor. Also, pull ALL of the comps in yours and surrounding states to use as evidence of a requote, because I'm sure they aren't giving market value of the car either.

 

[Ta2dResqr]

Wow man, sorry to hear. I had something similar happen to my 2011 Mustang when it was totalled. Unfortunately I did rear end the other party (they pulled out in front of me and hit the brakes in the rain so I slid into them, but Oklahoma says the impact is automatically the faulter) so it was dealing with my own insurance, but it was a fight to get them to agree to let me remove and replace anything and then it was another fight when the fraud department saw the car upon taking possession and it didn't match the pictures the adjuster provided in the claim.

One question is, is the car currently in your possession or is it at the insurance yard? Did you use THEIR recommended body shop for the adjustment of damage or did you take it to your own choice of place? The car is still yours until they give you a check and you give them the title, so don't settle on anything. Were you like most car guys and document every change you made to the car down to the valve stem caps? If so, provide note of all of these out of pocket changes, as it will help. If you have the factory components, tell them you have no problem providing them with the OE spec components, but since the modifications don't add to market value, neither will removing them for stock replacements.

If you need stock replacements, post a list of what you need and I'm sure plenty of people, myself included, can help with sourcing at reasonable costs compared to the aftermarket version.

With my insurance, they did let me remove the aftermarket components, but the items that were damaged in the wreck (my Roush front bumper, GT500 headlights, GT500 splitter, CF radiator cover, etc) I provided DATED invoices and install pictures and they gave me a depreciated value of the item. It wasn't anywhere near what I would've gotten by reselling the parts, but it did cushion the ****.

Unfortunately this is the state of the economy we are in, and it's a literal struggle to get anyone to give you value for much of anything right now.

Good luck, I hope it comes out in your favor. Also, pull ALL of the comps in yours and surrounding states to use as evidence of a requote, because I'm sure they aren't giving market value of the car either.

The car went from the accident site to my preferred shop. Within 15 minutes of them opening they called and said it was totaled and to get it out of their way. It went to the tow yard and then to CoPart where Geico stores their claims. Geico has authorized me to swap stock parts. Between what I kept, and this replacement car, I should be able to get almost everything on Friday. Their settlement was low in my opinion. (Offered me $21,895. That includes tax, title, and license. They also added $121 for the fuel pump and module.) I filed a claim with my insurance company. I carry a $5000 (most allowed) custom part rider. I am hoping to claim any parts that I cannot retrieve through the rider. The cars they used as comps, did not have the same options or mileage (basically the first 3 SHO they found). One literally had almost 70k miles less so they used that to knock the sale price down almost $10k.

The main things I don't know if I will be able to recover are: Tune/Tuner (I do not have the tuning device), 3-bar map (minimal cost in a package deal for a tuner), AD Mounts (not sure if they are any good after that impact), lowering springs (won't be able to swap in the yard and fronts may be *****), window visors (hopefully they come off without breaking), drilled/slotted rotors and red calipers, dynomat, window tint, and powder coat on the wheels (and I prefer the 10 spoke over the flowers lol). I am thinking $1k for tune/tuner package with thermostat, map sensor and plugs, $200 for mounts, $500 springs, $100 visors, $1k brakes, $50 dynomat, $250? window tint, and $500 to powdercoat the wheels. About $3600 total. Some I may not do, some as maintenance requires it. i appreciate the offer of stock components but, the biggest things I would need are springs, mounts, and brakes and they all **** to do in the yard so I will bite the bullet and fight it under my custom parts coverage (also don't know condition after wreck).

I did have receipts for MOST of the stuff on the vehicle and provided them to the insurance. The only thing they offered out of $10k in receipts was $121 for the fuel pump and module. It was literally 2 weeks old and they said they wouldn't give full value because it was a wear component. Serious depreciation for 2 weeks lol.

Comps are where I am hoping my insurance does the most. I literally had to drive over 200 miles to find a car with almost all of the same options. They tried having the dealer run my VIN and using a build sheet to "add" value for my options. Thankfully, I have the original window sticker that shows the options because the build sheet is not plain English. I am actually hoping the economy will help the value. Used cars are through the roof. I paid $22k sticker (plus tax, title, license. Tax was $3k). According to Edmunds that was a great deal and was $2k under market. If I can get $25-27k for the car, claim the $3600 on my rider, and swap my stock parts, I should be even and happy.

 

[FiveLeeter918]

The car went from the accident site to my preferred shop. Within 15 minutes of them opening they called and said it was totaled and to get it out of their way. It went to the tow yard and then to CoPart where Geico stores their claims. Geico has authorized me to swap stock parts. Between what I kept, and this replacement car, I should be able to get almost everything on Friday. Their settlement was low in my opinion. (Offered me $21,895. That includes tax, title, and license. They also added $121 for the fuel pump and module.) I filed a claim with my insurance company. I carry a $5000 (most allowed) custom part rider. I am hoping to claim any parts that I cannot retrieve through the rider. The cars they used as comps, did not have the same options or mileage (basically the first 3 SHO they found). One literally had almost 70k miles less so they used that to knock the sale price down almost $10k.

The main things I don't know if I will be able to recover are: Tune/Tuner (I do not have the tuning device), 3-bar map (minimal cost in a package deal for a tuner), AD Mounts (not sure if they are any good after that impact), lowering springs (won't be able to swap in the yard and fronts may be *****), window visors (hopefully they come off without breaking), drilled/slotted rotors and red calipers, dynomat, window tint, and powder coat on the wheels (and I prefer the 10 spoke over the flowers lol). I am thinking $1k for tune/tuner package with thermostat, map sensor and plugs, $200 for mounts, $500 springs, $100 visors, $1k brakes, $50 dynomat, $250? window tint, and $500 to powdercoat the wheels. About $3600 total. Some I may not do, some as maintenance requires it. i appreciate the offer of stock components but, the biggest things I would need are springs, mounts, and brakes and they all **** to do in the yard so I will bite the bullet and fight it under my custom parts coverage (also don't know condition after wreck).

I did have receipts for MOST of the stuff on the vehicle and provided them to the insurance. The only thing they offered out of $10k in receipts was $121 for the fuel pump and module. It was literally 2 weeks old and they said they wouldn't give full value because it was a wear component. Serious depreciation for 2 weeks lol.

Comps are where I am hoping my insurance does the most. I literally had to drive over 200 miles to find a car with almost all of the same options. They tried having the dealer run my VIN and using a build sheet to "add" value for my options. Thankfully, I have the original window sticker that shows the options because the build sheet is not plain English. I am actually hoping the economy will help the value. Used cars are through the roof. I paid $22k sticker (plus tax, title, license. Tax was $3k). According to Edmunds that was a great deal and was $2k under market. If I can get $25-27k for the car, claim the $3600 on my rider, and swap my stock parts, I should be even and happy.

good luck bud!

 

[Ta2dResqr]

Good news and bad news. I filed a complaint with the Ohio Board of Insurance. After a couple emails back and forth, some receipts and forwarding some of my correspondence with Geico showing they were lying to the Board of Insurance, they have conceded a new value ($10k over the original offer). However, their insured only carried $25k in coverage. So, it is currently processing with my insurance in the uninsured/underinsured category. Hopefully soon I will be getting a better resolution.